Windows bootloader disappeared. Now GRUB 2.12

[elstellino]

Hello mob!

Yesterday I was installing Linux Mint on a USB key, I repeat, ON, from another live USB key, and at some point GRUB took the place of the Windows Bootloader. I am not sure when, as everything was installed on the USB key, with the bootloader was to be put on the USB key, I even double checked that.
Anyway, some mistake that I don’t need to discover, as it wouldn’t solve anything...

Long story short, now GRUB boots with this message:
«Minimal BASH-like line editing is supported. For the first word, TAB lists possible command completions. Anywhere else TAB lists possible device or file completions. To enable less(1)-like paging, "set pager=1"»

Two questions:

- GRUB is the Grand Unified Bootloader, so can it boot Windows up, where I can possibly retrieve the BitLocker key (that I don’t have) to fix the Bootloader in the Windows Recovery Environment? How?
This key is asked everywhere.

- As far as I know GRUB works at a lower level than the Windows Bootloader, starting earlier. Can I just remove the GNU GRUB to have my Windows back and running, as it would boot up with the Windows Bootloader directly? How please?

It’s a Lenovo ThinkBook G8 16 IRL, with Windows 11 but I don’t know the version.

Can anybody help, please?

Thanks in advance, guys!

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi Luca! This is a classic situation—Linux installer overwrites the EFI boot order, even when you meticulously tell it not to. Let's break down your questions and the easy recovery path:

---

1. Can GRUB Boot Windows So You Can Retrieve the BitLocker Key?​

• Short answer:
  Sometimes, but with your GRUB in "minimal rescue shell" mode and no grub.cfg found, manual booting is tricky.
• What’s happening:
  GRUB can't find a boot entry or config, and you’re stuck at the prompt.
• Is it possible to boot Windows from here?
  Only if you manually locate and chainload the Windows EFI bootloader (not always straightforward, but possible). Usually, this is not reliable for BitLocker retrieval—Windows itself will still prompt for the key.
• Do you have another device logged into the same Microsoft account?
  That’s the fastest way to find the BitLocker recovery key:
  Sign in to your account

---

2. Can You Remove/Bypass GRUB and Restore Windows Bootloader?​

• Great news: YES!
• On almost all UEFI systems (like your Lenovo), GRUB does NOT delete the Windows Bootloader—it just changes the "default" boot entry in firmware (BIOS/UEFI NVRAM). This is easily fixable.
• How to fix:
  You just need to:
  1. Boot from a Windows 11 installer/recovery USB.
  2. Enter Repair/Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
  3. Run the following commands:

Step-by-step:

A. Assign drive letters to the EFI (ESP) and Windows partitions if needed:​

diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
list volume
select volume X   (choose the EFI, usually FAT32, ~100-500MB)
assign letter=S
exit

(EFI now assigned as S

B. Reinstall Windows Boot Manager:​

bcdboot C:\Windows /s S: /f UEFI
(Replace C: with your actual Windows partition letter if different)

C. Reboot, remove USB installer.​

---

If you want to change the UEFI boot order without repairs (sometimes works):

• Tap F12 (Lenovo) during boot to open the Boot Menu. You might see "Windows Boot Manager" listed. Select it to force boot Windows, then use Windows tools to fix EFI entries if needed.

---

What Actually Happened?​

• Mint set the USB key’s bootloader as default in UEFI NVRAM (EFI firmware), even though it installed its files there.
• The Windows EFI loader is still present but isn’t the default boot option.
• No, GRUB is not truly "lower" than Windows Bootloader, it’s just at the top of the boot sequence.

---

Summary​

1. GRUB cannot easily boot Windows from this rescue shell, especially if BitLocker is enabled.
2. Restoring Windows boot (and removing GRUB) is easy using Windows install USB and bcdboot.
3. Your data is likely intact. Fixing the EFI boot setup won’t wipe your files.

---

If you want step-by-step illustrated instructions, just ask! You’re a few commands away from seeing your Windows install again. Let me know if you hit any errors, and I’ll guide you line-by-line. Good luck!

 

[elstellino]

Thanks, unfortunately at "Enter Repair/Advanced Options > Command Prompt."
it opens this:

Of course I don’t have a Bitlocker key(if it is asking for one) and in my account at the link https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey there isn’t any.

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks for sharing the screenshot—unfortunately, this confirms the SSD is protected by BitLocker and Windows is demanding the recovery key before you can even access Command Prompt or recovery functions.
Key facts:

• You’re at a BitLocker lock screen requiring a recovery key.
• The “Skip this drive” option is greyed out, so you cannot bypass BitLocker.
• No recovery key is shown in your Microsoft account at aka.ms/myrecoverykey.

---

What Does This Mean?​

Without the BitLocker recovery key, you (and any system utility) are locked out of both Windows and the data on that drive.

• You can’t use Command Prompt, Startup Repair, System Restore, or any boot repair option because Windows will always require the BitLocker key first.
• This is by design: BitLocker is a security feature to prevent data access if the bootloader, BIOS, or OS has been tampered with (like after a bootloader overwrite).

---

Possible Ways Forward​

1. Double-Check for the BitLocker Key​

• Microsoft Account: It sometimes takes a few minutes for new devices to show up, but if it’s not listed now, it probably never was uploaded.
• Organizational Accounts: If this device was ever joined to a work/school account, check that organization's admin portal.
• Printed/PDF/USB Export: Maybe you or the previous owner saved it to a file or printed copy. Try all backup media, emails, and OneDrive “personal vault.”
• Contact Lenovo Support: In extremely rare cases with new devices, the OEM may have pre-enabled BitLocker. Sometimes they have procedures for recovery, but usually not without the key.

2. Try to Access via Linux/Third-Party USB (For Data Recovery)​

• You cannot decrypt or access data without the recovery key! No Linux, recovery, or forensic tool can break or bypass BitLocker’s protection.
• You might be able to see partition info (using lsblk or gparted on a Linux live key) but you won't be able to open or mount the encrypted partition.

3. If the Key Is Lost for Good​

• Reset/Reinstall Windows:
  If you don’t need the data, you can wipe the SSD and reinstall Windows. This will erase all existing partitions, including the BitLocker-protected ones, and set the device up fresh.

---

TL;DR:​

Without the BitLocker recovery key, unfortunately, the only way forward is to clean install Windows and lose the encrypted data.

• If you find the key, you’ll get access and can fix the bootloader.
• Without it, there is no way to bypass BitLocker or get a command prompt for recovery tasks.

---

If you’d like clean install instructions or want to double-check for BitLocker keys in every location, just let me know.
And for anyone reading: if you ever get a new Windows laptop, always check if BitLocker is enabled and back up your recovery key as the very first step!
Sorry I can't give better news—BitLocker is secure by design. Let me know how you’d like to proceed or if you want help starting over.

 

[elstellino]

thanks @ChatGPT, but I have to tell you that it is not so secure if I managed to tamper with it unwillingly (and I still don’t know how), and now a genuine fix is halted in any possible way…

Being a Lenovo, it has a Lenovo recovery partition. Is it of any help?

 

[ChatGPT]

The Lenovo recovery partition often contains a factory image and recovery tools for returning your laptop to its original factory state. However, because BitLocker encryption is linked to the system drive and TPM hardware protection, using the recovery partition to reset or restore the system will not bypass the BitLocker recovery key prompt.
Here’s why:

• BitLocker protects the disk with encryption keys tied to trusted platform measurements and firmware states.
• Any attempt to boot or recover your system without the correct key—regardless of reset or recovery method—will prompt for the BitLocker key.
• The recovery partition itself does not contain the BitLocker keys or method to circumvent this encryption. It's essentially a secure backup of the initial factory OS image.

In short, the Lenovo recovery partition is not helpful for bypassing the BitLocker lock screen or recovering access without the necessary recovery key.

What can you do?​

• Try to retrieve the BitLocker key:
  • Double-check your Microsoft account’s recovery keys page (Sign in to your account).
  • Look through any printed or saved copies created at setup time.
  • Check emails, USB drives, or paper backups.
  • If the device was set up and encrypted in a corporate environment, check with IT.
• If the recovery key is unavailable:
  • Your only option is to fully wipe the drive and reinstall Windows, which will erase all encrypted data.
  • Using the recovery partition restoration will not let you bypass BitLocker without the key. It will either fail due to encryption, or immediately prompt for the recovery key.
• Possible BIOS workarounds:
  There are known interactions (especially with recent Windows updates like KB5058379) where disabling Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) or similar security settings in BIOS/UEFI may allow booting past recovery. However, these workarounds typically require having the recovery key already entered once and may not be viable if you lack the key entirely.

---

Recap:
The Lenovo recovery partition is mainly for factory reset and OS reinstall and does not help bypass BitLocker encryption or missing recovery keys. Without the key, the encrypted data and Windows access remain blocked.
If you want, I can provide guidance on clean reinstall or BIOS setting tweaks that might help on a fresh system after you decide how to proceed.

---

You can find more about the BitLocker issue and Microsoft’s patch around this problem recently released in August 2024, affecting Lenovo and similar OEM machines, in forum discussions about KB5058379 and BitLocker recovery prompts .
Let me know if you want help with clean installations or recovery partition usage excluding BitLocker considerations!

 

[ChatGPT]

You’re absolutely right—BitLocker does its job after something unusual happens, but sometimes that “unusual event” can just be a Linux installer writing boot records when you least expect it. The resulting lockout is secure, but incredibly frustrating for legitimate owners!
Let's address your Lenovo recovery question:

---

1. Lenovo Recovery Partition: Will It Help?​

• The Lenovo recovery partition is typically intended to restore your system to its factory state (as shipped from Lenovo).
• It cannot bypass BitLocker encryption. If your Windows partition is BitLocker-locked, the recovery tools inside Windows will ask for the BitLocker key before proceeding—this is true even for Lenovo’s “Reset PC” options from within Windows or via recovery tools.
• However, you can often trigger a factory reset (reimage) from the Lenovo recovery partition at boot.
  • This will erase all partitions, including BitLocker-protected ones, and restore the factory OS and drivers.
  • All data will be lost, but the system will be restored to “day 1” condition, and you won’t need the BitLocker key to operate the laptop going forward.

How to Try a Factory Restore:​

• Power on and immediately start pressing F11 (on some models, it’s Enter or F12) to access Lenovo Recovery.
• You might see a “Lenovo OneKey Recovery,” “Novo Button Menu,” or “System Recovery” option.
• From there, you should be able to trigger a full factory reset.

If you only see BitLocker screens everywhere, even during recovery, the recovery partition may be encrypted as well (sometimes Windows setup does this). In that frustrating case, you would need to wipe the drive and do a clean install using a standard Windows USB installer.

---

2. Why Did BitLocker Activate?​

• Many modern OEM laptops (Lenovo, Dell, HP, etc.) ship with BitLocker pre-enabled, but “silent” until you sign in with a Microsoft account. Some systems enable it as soon as you boot into Windows 11 Home/Pro—even if you never see the setup prompt.
• Installing or repairing Linux (even on a USB stick) can accidentally change EFI partition contents or disk signature, immediately triggering BitLocker on next reboot.

---

3. Summary / What to Try Next​

• Lenovo Recovery partition can only help with a full wipe and factory restore (no data recovery).
• It won’t help you unlock BitLocker or get your data back, but it will get you back to a working, license-activated Windows install without needing a BitLocker key.
• If even Lenovo Recovery asks for the key, you’ll need to clean the drive and reinstall Windows with a bootable USB.

---

If you want, I can walk you through either:

• The factory recovery menu steps (if accessible).
• Full clean install of Windows (including downloading the correct ISO and drivers).
• Or how to investigate what’s inside your recovery partition, if you connect the drive to another PC (not likely to help decrypt, but useful for curiosity).

Let me know what recovery options your Lenovo offers on boot!

 

[elstellino]

@ChatGPT, selecting another drive I choose nvme0, and now I am in, in a new session.
Can I fix it from here?
Thanks

 

[ChatGPT]

Great news—you’re back into Windows via another OS/session on your machine! If you can access the system normally on a different drive, you’re in an ideal position to fix the bootloader issue and potentially rescue data from the BitLocker-locked drive if the drive isn’t encrypted or wasn’t fully locked down.
Let's walk through what you can do from here:

---

1. Fixing the Windows Bootloader (Restoring Windows Boot Manager)​

Since you have Windows running from another drive, you can use administrative command prompt or PowerShell to repair the bootloader on your primary/desired OS. Here’s how:

Step-by-step:​

a. Open elevated Command Prompt

• Press Win + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows Terminal (Admin)”.

b. Identify the EFI Partition and Windows Partition

• Run:
  

  diskpart
  list disk
  select disk X   (replace X with disk number for the affected drive)
  list partition
  exit

• Note the EFI System Partition (usually ~100–500MB, FAT32) and the Windows OS partition.

c. Assign drive letters as needed:

  diskpart
  select disk X
  select partition Y   (EFI partition)
  assign letter=S
  select partition Z   (Windows partition with \Windows directory)
  assign letter=W
  exit

d. Rebuild the boot files:
bcdboot W:\Windows /s S: /f UEFI
(Replace W and S with the letters assigned above.)
e. Reboot and switch boot order in BIOS if needed

• Set your preferred Windows drive as the default boot device.

---

2. If Data Recovery is Needed:​

If you need to access files from the “locked” Windows drive:

• If it was BitLocker encrypted and is locked, you’ll still need the recovery key.
• If the drive is not encrypted (BitLocker never actually completed) or is auto-unlocked in your current session, you can just copy files as needed.

---

3. Making the New Install the Only Boot (Optional Clean Up)​

If you’re happy with this new Windows environment and want to erase or reclaim the old partitions:

• Use Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) to delete unwanted partitions on the other drive and create new ones for storage.

---

In summary:​

• You can absolutely repair or overwrite the bootloader from this session, using the steps above.
• If the locked drive is accessible, back up any important data before making changes.
• If BitLocker is still active, you will need the recovery key for access.

---

If you’re unsure which disk/partition is which, or want detailed, step-by-step commands customized to your actual drive letter layout, just let me know your current diskpart output. I’m here to guide you the rest of the way!

 

[elstellino]

select partition 3   (Windows partition with \Windows directory) 
assign letter=W

this generates:

Virtual Disk Service error:
Assigning or removing drive letters on the current boot or pagefile
volume is not allowed

I tried to save the key on my profile, but it didn’t want to do so.


I tried to download it, but I couldn’t save it in an ecrypted drive, in the end I managed to save it on th einstallation USB key that didn’t recognize, so I formatted it, and now on Loinux shows this:
How can I retrieve this key?

 

[ChatGPT]

Here’s what’s happening in your situation:

1. Assigning a Drive Letter to the Current Boot Partition​

• You received the error:
  

  Virtual Disk Service error:
  Assigning or removing drive letters on the current boot or pagefile volume is not allowed

  This means you cannot reassign drive letters for the currently running Windows partition (the one you booted from). That’s normal Windows behavior—you’ll only be able to assign drive letters to other volumes (not the active boot disk).

---

2. BitLocker Key File Corruption​

• The screenshot shows that the BitLocker recovery key file you tried to save ended up as corrupted/unreadable text (full of strange symbols and unreadable blocks).
• This most often happens if:
  • The file was saved to a storage device with a format not supported by Windows for text files (e.g., special formats, uncleanly removed/remounted USB drives).
  • There was an error during the file copy/creation.
  • The drive was formatted after saving, destroying the file content.

Unfortunately, this file is not recoverable or usable as a BitLocker recovery key.

---

3. What Can You Do Next?​

If you still have the original Windows environment open:​

• Try saving the BitLocker recovery key again, but:
  • Save to a freshly formatted FAT32 or NTFS USB stick.
  • Check the file on the same computer before removing the drive to ensure it looks like a valid text file containing the recovery key (typically a long number, e.g., 123456-123456-...).

If you no longer have access to the unencrypted Windows environment:​

• Check previous backups, OneDrive (and its Personal Vault), any printed copies, email, or other devices that may have downloaded the key.
• Unfortunately, the scrambled file shown can’t be repaired—it’s not just unreadable due to encoding, it’s corrupted/truncated and doesn’t contain the actual key.

If all else fails and you don’t have the key:​

• There is no legitimate way to recover data from a BitLocker-encrypted drive without the key.
• At this point, your options are:
  1. Try every possible way to recover the key (see above).
  2. Wipe the drive and clean install Windows (all data protected by BitLocker will be lost, but you’ll have a working system again).

---

Summary​

• The corrupted recovery key file is sadly unusable—you must generate or export a fresh one from an unlocked Windows session (if possible).
• You can’t assign a drive letter to the running Windows partition, but can work with other disks.
• If you’re totally locked out, a clean install may be necessary.

If you let me know which partitions you can still access or if you get back into an unlocked Windows session, I can walk you step-by-step through saving a valid BitLocker key safely.
Let me know what kind of access you have right now and I’ll provide the most effective next steps.