The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/jdrch on 2025-01-06 00:07:39.

I have a laptop that's going back to the manufacturer for warranty repair.

NOTE: As the laptop is being repaired because it won't charge or power on, I cannot boot into it. Also, I was unable to setup proper backup on it since I only got it last week and I'm setting up a new backup server since my previous one failed

The laptop's OS M.2 SSD is Bitlocker protected. Here are the steps I'm currently doing

1. Remove M.2 SSD from problematic laptop
2. Place SSD in USB to M.2 adapter
3. Connect adapter to another PC
4. Unlock SSD using its Bitlocker key
5. Clone the SSD to a USB stick
6. Disconnect adapter from other PC
7. Return SSD to problematic laptop
8. Send laptop in
9. Receive repaired laptop
10. If original installation has been paved over, disable Bitlocker and reboot (doing this because I've noticed some laptops refuse to boot a new unencrypted SSD if the last SSD it booted with was encrypted)
11. Turn off repaired laptop
12. Remove SSD from repaird laptop
13. Repeat Steps 2 & 3
14. Clone USB stick back to SSD
15. Repeat Step 6
16. Put SSD back into repaired laptop
17. Boot into Windows
18. Re-Bitlocker replacement SSD

Does that make sense? Am I missing any steps?