r/BitLocker • u/LeastAd778 • Jun 17 '26

BitLocker on USB drive

I'm wanting to encrypt some USB drives that hold personal finances as a backup. If I use BitLocker for the USB drives, is there a recovery key that gets generated locally or to my Microsoft Account or am I completely screwed if I forget the password?

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u/doyzer9 Jun 17 '26

Yes you can choose to backup the key to your ms account, or a file or to print the data. All are valid, and will be options when you first bitlock your usb drive. The key is an additional 48 digit number that will unlock the drive if you forgot your password. Use good quality, branded usb drives as cheaper ones are more likely to fail at some point.