BitLocker is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your computer and protects it from unauthorized access. A lot of beginners and even some hard-core Windows users are unaware of the fact that you can set up, configure and use BitLocker on their Windows 11/10 computer. In this post, we will talk about how you can do the same.
What is BitLocker and why is it used?
BitLocker is a device encryptor used to protect your data from theft. It is a built-in Windows technology that not only protects your computer from data theft but also stops it from getting exposed to lost, stolen or inappropriately decommissioned systems.
On your computer, it is used alongside TPM or Trusted Platform Module (version 1.2 or above), which is a device added to your computer for security purposes to secure the user’s data and makes sure there is meddling with your system as it is offline. Since BitLocker needs TPM, if you want to use the encryption feature, then you will have to insert a USB startup key to start the computer or resume from hibernation.
When you set up BitLocker, you will get a security key that will be used to fetch the data. If you want to know how to get this key or set up BitLocker, or anything else about this security feature, continue reading.
Read: Difference between Device Encryption and BitLocker
Set up, configure and use BitLocker on Windows 11
Before seeing how to set up, configure and use BitLocker, you need to know that even though this feature is supported on all Windows 11 versions, the Home needs to use Device Encryption which is a trimmed-down version of BitLocker, which is still capable enough, and the Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions will get all the features of BitLocker. That is why we have separate guides for the following versions.
- Use BitLocker on Windows 11 Home
- Use BitLocker on Windows 11 Pro
Let us talk about each of them separately.
1] Use BitLocker on Windows 11 Home
To configure bitLocker on your system, follow the prescribed steps.
- Open Windows Settings by searching it out of the Start Menu or by Win + I.
- Go to Privacy & Security from the top-right corner of the window.
- Click on Device encryption.
- Now, use the toggle to enable the feature.
- Click on the BitLocker drive encryption button from the Related section.
- Go to the Operating system drive and click on Back up your recovery key.
- Finally, save the Bitlocker recovery key somewhere on your computer and make sure to note the path address.
As mentioned earlier, Windows 11 Home has Device encryption which lacks some advanced features of BitLocker. Another thing to note here, this feature is not available on all the devices, if you are not able to able to see Device Encryption then this could mean that your computer is not compatible. After this, we have mentioned a method to know if your device supports BitLocker, do check that out.
Read: How to Turn on Device Encryption in Windows 11/10
To disable BitLocker on your Windows 11 Home computer, follow the prescribed steps.
- Launch Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security > Device encryption.</…….
Source: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-set-up-configure-and-use-bitlocker-on-windows