Windows 10 and 11 update is pushing some users into BitLocker recovery

Affected users can find recovery keys by logging into Microsoft's website

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What to do: Users should have their BitLocker recovery keys ready before installing the October security update for Windows 10 and 11. If the update triggers the security feature and users cannot enter the key, they might lose all the data on the affected device.

The October 2025 security update for Windows 11 25H2, Windows 11 24H2, and Windows 10 22H2 has reportedly forced some users into the BitLocker recovery screen upon rebooting. Those who have not installed the update yet should check their BitLocker recovery status.

BitLocker is a full-partition encryption feature that Microsoft introduced with Windows Vista to harden the operating system's defenses against hackers. It forces users to enter a recovery key in certain cases, such as when critical hardware changes are made between reboots.

Since users rarely need to worry about BitLocker, many might forget their keys or whether the feature is even enabled. To check, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Device Encryption. The Device Encryption page shows a toggle for encryption and links to configure BitLocker and view the encryption key on Microsoft's website.

Users who are already stuck at the recovery screen after installing the update can retrieve the key by logging onto Microsoft's website with the affected PC's administrator account on another device and navigating to the recovery key page. Microsoft also advises keeping a printed copy of the key.

According to a business-only security bulletin from Microsoft viewed by BleepingComputer, the issue affecting the October 2025 update mainly impacts PCs with Intel processors that have Modern Standby enabled. Modern Standby, formerly called Connected Standby, allows devices to maintain network connections in low-power mode. Alternatively, IT administrators can address the problem by contacting Microsoft Support for Business and delivering a group policy from Known Issue Rollback.

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Similar issues occurred with the June and July 2024 security updates, reminding users to always have their BitLocker recovery keys handy.

Although BitLocker is considered a strong security feature, recent evidence demonstrates that it is not foolproof. Earlier this year, researchers unveiled an exploit that dedicated hackers could potentially use to circumvent device encryption. Since it requires physical system access and a network connection, it likely poses little threat to individual consumers, but could be used to target businesses.