Although I had heard of BitLocker and  a vague idea of what it was, I had never come across it on my computer before.   Briefly it blocks the installation of ""unknown"" software, and encrypts the DATA on your Hard Drive.   ~~~~~ [URL]#WindowsVersion=Windows_10   maybe change your PIN to what it was previously?   ##########   I am particularly confused by the fact that I have never enabled Bitlocker nor could have done as the computer cannot have BitLocker installed on it as it uses Windows 10 Home and has no TPM and will thus not accept Windows 11.     W10 HOME can have BitLocker, mine did/does. W11 probably not worth having until 2025 when W10 ends, and by then you may very well have new hardware with W11 already on.   The Register is a good source of info, like this(perhaps you should register with them, I have) ... [URL] The KEY phrase is"AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU"that maybe of use to you.Microsoft sort of "approved"Microsoft's warnings are severe.A disclaimer explains that the installation "may result in compatibility issues" and that "your PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates" – though it seems that Microsoft envisages certain scenarios where the bypass may be a good idea, since the heading states "not recommended unless instructed by support." You risk invalidating any support or Warranty.       SO CHANGE THE CMOS BATTERY.   If in doubt please ask.
I wonder if anyone can help me. Yesterday while searching on Qwant on Firefox  (105.0.1 stated as up to date), the computer froze and I could do little with it although I could call up Task Manager but it would not cancel the process nor could I shut down the computer, details of which are given below. After fruitless head scratching and trying what little I know to resolve this, I switched the computer off by holding the power button for a period of time (>5 seconds). I was NOT using an administrator account. On restarting, which took longer than usual, perhaps not surprisingly, it stated that my PIN could not be found. It did however accept my Microsoft Account password and I logged on. I was then presented with a blue screen entitled BitLocker recovery which required the entry of a recovery key. Although I had heard of BitLocker and  a vague idea of what it was, I had never come across it on my computer before.  Initially, I had no idea of what to do but followed the onscreen instruction to go to aks.ms/recovery/keyfaq.  After some obstruction by Bing, (what a PITA that is – to be avoided at all costs), I found my key and have now hidden that away for the future.  I entered the 48 numbers into the screen as required and could gain access to the computer which operated as normal.  I was also required to reset the date and time which the computer had lost; I did this. On restarting, I was again presented with BitLocker recovery screen and again input the 48 characters and then was able to log in successfully – PIN still missing. Now every time I (re)start, I have to go though this process.  This is, not to put too fine a point on it, an utter pain, takes for ever, is error prone and makes we want to throw the computer at the wall, although I have not yet done this. I have tried as many options as I can find but to no avail.  Does anyone have any suggestions to help resolve this? If so, I would be very grateful to hear any suggestion. I am particularly confused by the fact that I have never enabled Bitlocker nor could have done as the computer cannot have BitLocker installed on it as it uses Windows 10 Home and has no TPM and will thus not accept Windows 11. The details of the computer are I have managed to gain access to the BIOS, although am unsure that I still can.  This something of an alien landscape to me and I do not think that I have altered anything but have noted that UEFI is selected. I have also noted on the Dell website that this problem can occur on computers with USB-C or Thunderbolt; my machine has neither. I am at a loss as to what to try next so look forward to help from those with greater expertise than mine.  My only remedy for the present is never to Shut Down or Restart.  I am fortunate to have another laptop on which to work but that is not a solution: the problem remains. Thanks  
Trouble with Bitlocker