What is BitLocker Numerical Password Key Protector?

No, BitLocker Numerical Password is totally different from BitLocker Password. It also has a more common term, called the BitLocker recovery key. Following I will introduce what BitLocker Numerical Password Key Protector is and how to add or delete it in detail.

Part 1: How to Understand BitLocker Key Protectors?

Unlike BitLocker Password can include letters, the BitLocker Numerical Password is a combination of 48 digits. And it’s of great importance to protect and unlock the BitLocker encrypted drive.

Just as Windows 11 24H2 auto enable BitLocker, it mainly relies on BitLocker Recovery Key Protection rather than BitLocker Password to ensure the system security.

To view all BitLocker protectors that enabled on your drive, run this command on elevated Command Prompt:

Here you can see both the BitLocker Numerical Password ID and BitLocker Numerical Password (Recovery Key) is displayed.

There’re also many other BitLocker Key protectors, like external key protectors, Startup Key protectors, and so on. Once you’ve added these protectors successfully, then you can use it to unlock your BitLocker Drive.

Part 2: How to Add BitLocker Numerical Password Key Protector to Drive

Except some BitLocker key protectors, like BitLocker Password protectors, you can add more than one BitLocker Numerical Password protector. If you're ready to set up the BitLocker Numerical Password Key Protector, follow these simple steps:

Method 1: Add BitLocker Protectors When Enable BitLocker

We can add these two protectors at the same time when enable BitLocker, here is how:

Step 1 Navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Step 2 In BitLocker Drive Encryption panel, find the drive to encrypt, click on "Turn on BitLocker".

Step 3 Firstly, set a BitLocker Password, then back up your BitLocker Recovery Key. After set, follow the wizard to finish the BitLocker Encryption process.

As with all BitLocker Key Protectors, it is crucial to back up your recovery key when setting up the BitLocker encryption. The recovery key is a backup method that you can use to regain access to your data if you forget your BitLocker password.

Method 2: Add BitLocker Numerical Protectors with Command Prompt

Adding BitLocker Protectors via CMD is more direct way with single steps.

Step 1 Type "cmd" in the Windows Search box, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run the elevated command prompt.

Step 2 Execute the following command:

Here will list the new BitLocker Recovery Key. You’d better copy it and save it to a file, as this would be lost when you close this command window.

Step 3 Check if this BitLocker Numerical Password Key protector is added.

You can see now I have two BitLocker recovery key, both of them can be used to unlock the drive.

Part 3: Can I Disable the BitLocker Numerical Password Key Protector?

Yes, you can disable the Numerical Password Key Protector at any time. To do so, execute the following command:

This operation will clear all BitLocker Recovery key at the same time. If you wan to delete only one protector, then you need use its corresponding numerical password ID:

Note: If you remove all numerical password, you should ensure that other key protectors (such as PIN, password, or USB key) are still active to maintain drive security.

Part 4: How to Find BitLocker Recovery Key in PC?

If you’ve backed up BitLocker Recovery Key file with method 1 above, and stored it to your PC, then you can search it with the File Explorer. If this’s not worked, use iSunshare UBitkey to help you easily find them:

Step 1 Download and install iSunshare UBitkey to your PC, then open it.

Step 2 Go to Find Key section, click on Start button. It will search all BitLocekr Recovery key file including hidden ones.

Step 3 When it says Search Completed, you can view all BitLocker Recovery Key file here.

Step 4 Right-click on the file, select Copy Key and then paste it to unlock the drive. Or click on Open file location to view details.