Where can I find my BitLocker recovery key? BitLocker likely ensured that a recovery key was safely backed up prior to activating protection. There are several places that your recovery key may be, depending on the choice that was made when activating BitLocker:

Contact Microsoft Support. Find solutions to common problems, or get help from a support agent.

Create Windows 11 installation media. On the Windows 11 software download page , select Create tool now and follow the instructions to install Windows 11. Warning: Microsoft recommends against installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet the Windows 11 minimum system requirements.

Here's how: In Settings: Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices , and then turn on Bluetooth . In quick settings: To find the quick setting for Bluetooth, select the Network, Sound, or Battery icons ( ) next to the time and date on the right side of your taskbar. Select Bluetooth to turn it on.

There's no charge to switch out of S mode. To switch out of S mode, click here to open the Microsoft Store to the Switch out of S mode (or similar) page. On the Switch out of S mode (or similar) page, select the Get button. After you see a confirmation message on the page, you'll be able to install apps from outside of the Microsoft Store.

This article applies if you’ve recently made changes to your device hardware and are trying to upgrade to Windows 11. Hardware changes might affect your upgrade eligibility, though you’ll need to take a few steps to see your updated eligibility in Settings.

Microsoft support is here to help you with Microsoft products. Find how-to articles, videos, and training for Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft 365, Windows, Surface, and more.

Activate Windows using a product key. A product key is a 25-character code, that looks like this: PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. During installation, you'll be prompted to enter a product key. Or, after installation, to enter the product key, select the Start button, and then select Settings > System > Activation > Update product ...

Windows 11 Windows 10. Create a local user account. Select Start > Settings > Accounts and then select Family & other users. (In some versions of Windows you'll see Other users .) Next to Add other user, select Add account . Select I don't have this person's sign-in information, and on the next page, select Add a user without a Microsoft account.

To upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro manually, first check which edition you’re running and your activation state: Select Start > Settings > System > Activation. At the top of the Activation page, you see your edition: either Home or Pro. You‘ll also see if you’re activated under Activation state . Open Activation settings ...