Microsoft confirms May Windows 10 updates trigger BitLocker recovery

Microsoft has acknowledged a troubling issue affecting a select group of Windows 10 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 systems. Following the installation of the May 2025 security updates, specifically the KB5058379 update, some users are finding their devices unexpectedly booting into BitLocker recovery mode.

Understanding BitLocker Recovery

BitLocker is a vital security feature designed to encrypt storage drives, thereby safeguarding sensitive data from potential theft. Typically, Windows systems enter BitLocker recovery mode due to events such as updates to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) or significant hardware changes. However, the recent update has led to a scenario where affected devices fail to start properly, triggering an Automatic Repair sequence that, in turn, prompts the need for a BitLocker recovery key.

According to Microsoft, “a small number” of Windows 10 PCs are exhibiting these recovery screens post-update. The company elaborated that on impacted devices, the installation of the update may result in multiple startup failures, ultimately leading to a situation where the system cannot initiate an Automatic Repair without the recovery key.

For users experiencing this issue, the Windows Event Viewer reveals LSASS errors along with installation failure events marked by the 0x800F0845 error code. While some devices may find themselves in a BitLocker recovery loop after a failed Startup Repair, others might manage to revert to the previous update after several attempts to install the KB5058379 update.

To retrieve the BitLocker recovery key, users can access the BitLocker recovery screen portal using their Microsoft account. Additional guidance on locating the recovery key is available on Microsoft’s support page.

Reports of this issue have surfaced from various users and administrators, indicating a broad spectrum of affected devices from manufacturers such as Lenovo, Dell, and HP. The exact cause of the problem remains unclear, raising questions about whether it stems from specific hardware or software conflicts.

One user on Microsoft’s forums noted, “The latest KB5058379 released May 13 quality update failed in Windows 10 devices. Some devices it caused triggering BitLocker key window after restart.” Another Windows administrator shared on Reddit, “We have about a half dozen laptops that experienced various intermittent issues after receiving the same KB – some require BitLocker keys to start up, others refusing to start at all.”

For those facing a BitLocker recovery prompt, Microsoft suggests a few troubleshooting steps. Disabling Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) from the BIOS may help. If that does not resolve the issue, users can also consider disabling Secure Boot, Virtualization Technologies, or Firmware Protection as additional measures.

This is not the first time Microsoft has faced challenges related to BitLocker recovery prompts. In August 2024, the company addressed a similar issue impacting Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems following the July 2024 security updates. Furthermore, in August 2022, devices were similarly affected after the KB5012170 security update led to unexpected BitLocker recovery screens.

BitLocker recovery screen (Microsoft)
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Microsoft confirms May Windows 10 updates trigger BitLocker recovery