How do I reboot a remote Bitlocker protected computer?

This article applies to the following operating systems:

Windows

Overview

If you reboot a remote a Bitlocker protected computer via Remote Desktop (RDP), the device may halt at the Bitlocker PIN prompt and prevent RDP reconnection. Bitlocker PINs cannot be entered remotely and require physical presence. If you not at the device's location this can be difficult to resolve.

ITS provided a temporary workaround to bypass the Bitlocker PIN upon reboot of a remote computer. This article covers how to use the workaround.

You must follow these steps before each reboot. Installing the package once only applies the workaround once.

Please do not run the package until needed. Reboot immediately after install. Once run, your computer is no longer protected until the next reboot.

Steps

Step 1

Open SoftwareCenter. Click the Windows Start button, type "Software Center", and click the SoftwareCenter program:

Opening SoftwareCenter from the Start menu

Step 2

Locate the package titled "Bitlocker - Suspend Bitlocker.." in the application list and click it:

SoftwareCenter app catalog

Step 3

Click Install. Note if you had previously installed it you may need to click "Reinstall".

3.a Install

Click Install to install the package

3.b Reinstall

Click re-install to install the package again

Step 4

You may now reboot your computer. Your computer should not halt at the Bitlocker PIN prompt and you should be able to remote into your computer after it finishes starting up.

You do not need to install this package if prompted to reboot after Windows patches are installed. The Windows patch process automatically handles Bitlocker behind the scenes.

100% helpful - 1 review

Details

Article ID: 1620
Created
Thu 4/2/20 10:00 AM
Modified
Fri 2/17/23 4:37 PM

Related Articles (1)

A step-by-step guide for users to use RDP to remotely access their work computers from home.

Related Services / Offerings (1)

I want to protect the information and high risk data stored on my computer.