A recent Windows update, issued by Microsoft in October 2025, may trigger BitLocker recovery on certain Intel-based Windows 11 and Windows 10 systems.
Affected Systems and Scope
The bug impacts Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, as well as Windows 10 22H2. Affected devices may boot into the BitLocker recovery screen after the update, requiring users to enter a recovery key once. Following this, devices are expected to function normally.
- Microsoft issued the alert on 2025-11-06.
- Issue affects systems with Modern Standby, primarily on Intel PCs.
- Devices without BitLocker enabled remain unaffected.
- Most new Windows 11 devices have BitLocker enabled by default.
Preventive Measures and User Advisory
For IT administrators, Microsoft suggests using a Known Issue Rollback group policy to mitigate the problem. Consumer users should ensure they have access to their BitLocker recovery key, which can be checked on their device or through their Microsoft account.
While BitLocker provides robust data protection if a device is stolen, it can lock users out if they do not have the recovery key post-update.
Microsoft previously reported similar incidents in May 2025, 2024, and 2022, indicating an ongoing challenge with updates interacting with BitLocker encryption.
