Unlock-Bit Locker

Restores access to data on a BitLocker volume.

Syntax

Unlock-BitLocker
      [-MountPoint] <String[]>
      -Password <SecureString>
      [-WhatIf]
      [-Confirm]
      [<CommonParameters>]
Unlock-BitLocker
      [-MountPoint] <String[]>
      -RecoveryPassword <String>
      [-WhatIf]
      [-Confirm]
      [<CommonParameters>]
Unlock-BitLocker
      [-MountPoint] <String[]>
      -RecoveryKeyPath <String>
      [-WhatIf]
      [-Confirm]
      [<CommonParameters>]
Unlock-BitLocker
      [-MountPoint] <String[]>
      [-AdAccountOrGroup]
      [-WhatIf]
      [-Confirm]
      [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Unlock-BitLocker cmdlet restores access to encrypted data on a volume that uses BitLocker Drive Encryption. You can use the Lock-BitLocker cmdlet to prevent access.

In order to restore access, provide one of the following key protectors for the volume:

  • Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) account
  • Password
  • Recovery key
  • Recovery password

For an overview of BitLocker, see BitLocker Drive Encryption Overview on TechNet.

Examples

Example 1: Unlock a volume

PS C:\> $SecureString = ConvertTo-SecureString "fjuksAS1337" -AsPlainText -Force
PS C:\> Unlock-BitLocker -MountPoint "E:" -Password $SecureString

This example unlocks a specified BitLocker volume by using a password.

The first command uses the ConvertTo-SecureString cmdlet to create a secure string that contains a password and saves it in the $SecureString variable. For more information about the ConvertTo-SecureString cmdlet, type Get-Help ConvertTo-SecureString .

The second command unlocks the specified BitLocker volume by using the password saved in the $SecureString variable.

Required Parameters

-AdAccountOrGroup

Indicates that BitLocker requires account credentials to unlock the volume. In order to use this parameter, the account for the current user must be a key protector for the volume.

Type: SwitchParameter
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-MountPoint

Specifies an array of drive letters or BitLocker volume objects. The cmdlet unlocks the volumes specified. To obtain a BitLocker volume object, use the Get-BitLockerVolume cmdlet.

Type: String[]
Position: 0
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: True (ByPropertyName, ByValue)
Accept wildcard characters: False
-Password

Specifes a secure string that contains a password. The password specified acts as a protector for the volume encryption key.

Type: SecureString
Aliases: pw
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-RecoveryKeyPath

Specifies the path to a recovery key. The key stored in the specified path acts as a protector for the volume encryption.

Type: String
Aliases: rk
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-RecoveryPassword

Specifies a recovery password. The password specified acts as a protector for the volume encryption key.

Type: String
Aliases: rp
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False

Optional Parameters

-Confirm

Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.

Type: SwitchParameter
Aliases: cf
Position: Named
Default value: False
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-WhatIf

Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Type: SwitchParameter
Aliases: wi
Position: Named
Default value: False
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False

Inputs

BitLockerVolume[], String[]

Outputs

BitLockerVolume[]