If your system is asking you for your BitLocker recovery key, the following information may help you locate your recovery key and understand why you're being asked to provide it. Important: Microsoft support is unable to provide, or recreate, a lost BitLocker recovery key.

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. Though the steps below might look complicated at first glance, just follow them in order, step-by-step, and we’ll try to get you back on track.

For Windows 8.1, see Create a USB recovery drive. To download Windows 11 installation media, see Recovery options in Windows. Create a recovery drive so you can reinstall Windows 10 or Windows 11 in case you experience a major issue such as hardware failure.

You can use installation media (a USB flash drive or DVD) to install a new copy of Windows, perform a clean installation, or reinstall Windows. To create installation media, go to the software download website, where you'll find step-by-step instructions.

For Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscriptions: Select Install premium Microsoft 365 apps and follow the prompts to install or reinstall the desktop apps. On the Microsoft 365 subscription tab, select Manage. From here you can: Renew your subscription with a prepaid code or card. Learn more.

The Microsoft Authenticator app helps you sign into your accounts when you're using two-step verification.

Xbox Game Pass Core gives players access to our online console multiplayer network, a select collection of games to play with friends around the world on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, plus special member deals. Xbox Live Gold is now Game Pass Core.

TPM 2.0 is used in Windows 11 for a number of features, including Windows Hello for identity protection and BitLocker for data protection. In some cases, PCs that are capable of running TPM 2.0 are not set up to do so. If you are considering upgrading to Windows 11, check to ensure TPM 2.0 is enabled on your device.

Find your files in Windows 10 using one of these methods. Search from the taskbar: Type the name of a document (or a keyword from it) into the search box on the taskbar. You'll see results for documents across your PC and OneDrive under Best match.

Learn how to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro, including how to use a valid product key or the Microsoft Store.