Microsoft has squished a bug found in the July 2024 Windows security update, which caused millions of PCs to get stuck on the BitLocker recovery screen.
The Windows security update issued on August 13 resolvesan issue with Windows PCs being stuck on a BitLocker encryption screen. The bug was plaguing almost every supported version of Windows 11 and 10. “This issue was resolved by Windows updates released July 23, 2025, and later,” according to an updated technical document onMicrosoft’s website. “We recommend you install the latest update for your device as it contains important improvements and issue resolutions, including this one.” Otherwise, those who previously installed the botched July 2024 update must visit Settings > Privacy & Security > Device Encryption and provide their BitLocker recovery key as a workaround. Microsoft confirmed that the August 13 update is preinstalled on new Microsoft Copilot+ PCs. It will be available on existing machines in late September.
The BitLocker bug was similar to the recent CrowdStrike update incident, which left millions of PCs stuck on the blue screen of death. Like the BitLocker bug, the CrowdStrike issue required people to enter their BitLocker recovery key to continue booting.
Moreover, Microsoft announced inanother support articlethat BitLocker device encryption is now enabled by default for all clean installations of Windows 11 version 24H2 and later (BitLocker could degrade SSD performance on some PCs). The feature will automatically turn on for the boot drive when you first sign in to Windows or set up your PC with a Microsoft account or your work or school account. Windows automaticallybacks up your BitLocker recovery keyto your Microsoft account or Entra ID.
In another change, Microsoft no longer requires Hardware Security Test Interface or Modern Standby for Device Encryption, a less powerful version of BitLocker in Windows 11.We knew this change was coming, and it means that Windows 11 Home users can now enjoy encryption as well. Device Encryptionsets up BitLocker encryptionfor your boot drive and other fixed drives. BitLocker is Microsoft’s technology designed to encrypt a user’s storage on the fly to keep user data safe from prying eyes, but has much tighter system requirements than Device Encryption.
