10/18/2026
TODAY, WE SAVED A SMALL BUSINESS ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE!
Today, Computer Solutions recovered a small business from a potential BitLocker disaster.
The company's primary computer, which also served as its server, was locked by Microsoft's BitLocker encryption. At risk were 10 years of tax records and information for more than 10,000 clients.
This wasn't just about recovering a computer. This business employs five tax professionals whose livelihoods, along with those of their families, depend on its continued operation.
Without the recovery key, the business faced the possibility of losing access to years of critical information.
And recovery was far from guaranteed.
Here's the remarkable part.
Back in January, I wasn't even their regular IT person. I was simply there to repair a broken computer.
During that visit, I took the extra time to establish local administrator accounts and document important access information. I left those notes in a desk drawer.
Nine months later, after unsuccessful recovery attempts, something told me to check that drawer.
I found my notes. And those notes helped save the day.
Using the information I'd documented, I accessed the Microsoft recovery system, retrieved the BitLocker key, and unlocked the computer.
10 years of data saved. More than 10,000 client records preserved. Five tax professionals and their families spared a potentially devastating business crisis.
But there's an important lesson here.
The business owner is actually quite tech-savvy. About five years ago, when setting up the computer for the first time, Windows prompted him to enable BitLocker encryption.
He followed the prompts, not fully understanding what BitLocker was, how it worked, or the importance of safeguarding its recovery key.
Five years later, that seemingly routine setup decision nearly brought his business to a standstill.
In large corporations, dedicated IT personnel often manage encryption, recovery keys, and security procedures. Most small businesses simply cannot afford that level of specialized support.
BitLocker is excellent security technology, but without proper recovery-key management, it can become a serious business risk.
Technology that makes sense in a large corporation doesn't always fit the realities of a small business.
We also installed cloud backup and remote support software to strengthen the company's protection going forward.
I came home today so relieved and emotionally drained that I took my first nap in about 10 years!
I'm proud of what we accomplished, but I also recognize how easily this could have ended differently.
Sometimes, the extra care you take during an ordinary service call makes all the difference months later.
Computer Solutions — Real Solutions. Real Results. Keeping Small Businesses Running.
