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.

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

How to back up the key. Tap the Windows Start button and type BitLocker. Select the Manage BitLocker Control Panel app from the list of search results. In the BitLocker app select Back up your recovery key. Select where you want the key backed up.

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.

If you can't find an app or program, try the tips in See all your apps in Windows 10 and Program is not listed in add/remove programs after installation. If you get an error message when you're uninstalling, try the Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter.

How to redeem a code on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Press the Xbox button to open the guide, and then select Store. Press the View button to open the side menu, and then select Redeem. Enter the 25-character code, select Next, and then follow the prompts.

Choose the apps that will run when you start your device. Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Startup. Open Startup settings. For any app in the list, select the toggle to set it to On. If you want to change the advanced settings for that app, select the arrow and make changes as desired.

Get the steps for changing your home page in Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

To see where your browser is saving downloads, look in your browser's settings. For example, in the new Microsoft Edge , select Settings and more > Settings > Downloads . The file path for your downloaded files (for example, C:\Users\ [your name]\Downloads) is listed under Location.

Learn how to redeem a gift card, code, or Office product key and spend your balance at Microsoft Store online, on Windows, or Xbox.