Bitlocker: Just don't.

[ad...@reviews.wox.org]

So I just want to reiterate this - with a real example. 
Never use bitlocker if you value anything on your computer.
If it is enabled, then disable it, and use literally ANY
other disk protection tool.

I have a client laptop with a minor issue right now to fix.
Issue is trivial, likely a minor disk error, or a bad
driver, a chkdsk /f,  sfc or at worst a system restore would
likely have it fixed in about 10 minutes.

However... because it has a factory bitlocker install, this
laptop is now unrepairable.  The fault presents as the
machine locking up within about a minute of booting, when
presumably a defective service or driver loads that was
installed in a recent windows update.

Recovery mode cannot even set your startup option to booting
in safemode without a bitlocker key, which is unobtanium, as
HP enabled bitlocker at the factory, and the client likely
was not even aware it was enabled, so of course never
thought to try to write the key down anywhere.  So you can't
run any sort of repair tools, or select safemode as a
startup option to fix the issue to avoid windows locking up
long enough - it all requires the decrypt key.    Literally
the only option now is "go into bios", "erase disk" or
install a new hard disk.

Bitlocker:  Just don't.  it is like the cryptolocker
ransomware, only you cant even unlock your pc if you pay a
scammer, because the scammer in this case IS Microsoft and
their solution, much like apple, is always "buy a new one",
or "format and reinstall".

Also a lot of Surface Pro and clones have it enabled too,
except in that case it is sometimes only enabled after it
forces you to use a microsoft account.  Those devices at
least can sometimes recovery the key via the Microsoft
website, but I would not rely on that, since Microsoft has a
bad habit of removing large sections and functionalities
from their website on a regular basis. At some point they
will decide everyone should be buying a new PC, and cut
support for surface pro too.


Basically, it is safer to never use bitlocker.

--
New and improved 2600... well.. ..we drew on some flames and polished it a bit..
--
Google - making sure, life is no more, than 1984...
--
In politics - Later never happens.