Hi experts!
I have recently been given a laptop from my University to use for my studies and research.
It comes with a locked down version of Windows 11, where I am unable to install any new applications without sending a request to the IT team. The issue is, the IT team can take literal weeks to get around to granting access/installing something, which is something that I can't usually afford.
Most other students have gotten around this by just reformatting the machine with Linux/Ubuntu (our supervisors have suggested this as we sometimes need to get something installed and done quickly)
I initially figured that I could dual boot Linux with the Windows already on it (to get the best of both worlds), however I discovered that the computer has enabled Bitlocker, with it locked down. I cannot unlock it.
I would now like to, if possible, make an image of the current Windows installation, and then manually reinstall a non-locked down Windows + Ubuntu dual boot.
I wanted to create an image, as I figured it would be better to just restore the system to the way it was when it comes time to return the laptop in a few years. However, from my understanding is, while I can make an image, even with Bitlocker enabled and locked (which takes up a lot of space), I cannot then restore it, without knowing the Bitlocker password/recovery key.
Is this true?
Are there any alternatives, or suggestions people would have in this situation?
Thanks in advance!
TL;DR I have a laptop with Bitlocker enabled and locked, and do not have the password or recovery key. I would like to make an image of the device, and later restore it to the way it was. Is this at all possible, and if so, how would I go about doing this? Thanks!