How to Enable BitLocker Encryption on Windows Devices

Written by: Jay H.

BitLocker is a powerful encryption feature included with certain versions of Windows that helps protect data by encrypting entire volumes. Enabling BitLocker on your Windows device ensures that your sensitive information is secure, even if the device is lost or stolen. Let’s go through the steps to enable BitLocker encryption on your Windows device.

What is BitLocker?

BitLocker is a built-in security feature available in certain editions of Windows, such as Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education, as well as Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise. It helps protect your data by encrypting the entire drive on your computer, making it unreadable to unauthorized users. So if someone were to steal your desktop computer or laptop and attempt to read the hard drive, they would be unable to do so without the decryption key.

Why Should You Use BitLocker?

BitLocker is a feature that protects the data on your computer by encrypting it, making it unreadable to unauthorized users. Here are some simple reasons why you should use BitLocker:

1. Protect Sensitive Information

We all store important information on our computers, like personal photos, financial documents, and work files. If your computer gets lost or stolen, someone could access this information. BitLocker keeps your data safe by making it unreadable to others.

2. Prevent Identity Theft

Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit fraud. Your computer might have documents, saved passwords, company files, or other personal details that identity thieves want. BitLocker encrypts your data, making it much harder for criminals to use it.

3. Comply with Regulations

For businesses and professionals, BitLocker helps you follow data protection laws. Many industries have rules about how to protect sensitive data. BitLocker makes it easy to meet these rules and keep your data secure.

4. Ease of Use

BitLocker is easy to use. You don’t need to be a tech expert to set it up. The setup process is simple, and once BitLocker is on, it works in the background. You just unlock your drive with a password or a key, and your data stays safe.

Prerequisites for Enabling BitLocker

Before you begin, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

• Windows Version: BitLocker is available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, as well as corresponding versions of Windows 11. It is not available on Windows Home editions.
• TPM (Trusted Platform Module): While BitLocker can be used without a TPM, it is recommended for enhanced security. Most modern devices come with TPM 1.2 or later.
• Administrator Access: You must have administrator privileges to enable BitLocker.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable BitLocker Encryption

Step 1: Access BitLocker Management

1. Open Control Panel:

• Press Windows Key and search for and select “Control Panel”.

2. Navigate to BitLocker:

• In the Control Panel, go to BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Bitlocker Drive Encryption in the Control Panel in Windows 10

Step 2: Turn On BitLocker

1. Select the Drive to Encrypt:

• In the BitLocker Drive Encryption window, you will see a list of available drives.
• Click on Turn on BitLocker next to the drive you want to encrypt (usually the C: drive).

Turn on Bitlocker on the drive you would like to encrypt

2. Choose How to Unlock Your Drive:

• You will be prompted to choose how you want to unlock your drive during startup.
  • If your device has a TPM, you can use TPM with a PIN or password.
  • If you do not have a TPM, you will need to use a password or a USB flash drive to unlock the drive.

3. Set a Password or Insert a USB Flash Drive:

• If you choose to use a password, enter and confirm a strong password.
• If you opt for a USB flash drive, insert the drive and follow the prompts to set it up as your unlock key.

Step 3: Backup Your Recovery Key

1. Choose a Backup Method:

• BitLocker will generate a recovery key that you can use to access your data if you forget your password or lose your unlock key.
• You can save the recovery key to your Microsoft account, a USB flash drive, a file on your computer, or print it out.

2. Store the Recovery Key Securely:

• It is crucial to store the recovery key in a safe place, separate from the encrypted device.

Step 4: Choose the Encryption Method and Mode

1. Select Encryption Method:

• BitLocker offers two encryption options: Encrypt used disk space only (faster and suitable for new PCs) or Encrypt entire drive (more secure for PCs already in use).

2. Choose Encryption Mode:

• For Windows 10 version 1511 and later, you can choose between New encryption mode (XTS-AES) and Compatible mode (AES-CBC). Select the mode based on your compatibility needs. New encryption mode is appropriate in most cases.

Step 5: Start Encryption

1. Begin the Encryption Process:

• Click on Start encrypting to begin the encryption process.
• The time required to complete encryption depends on the size of the drive and the amount of data stored on it.

2. Monitor Progress:

• You can monitor the encryption progress in the BitLocker Drive Encryption window.
• Once the encryption process is complete, you will receive a notification.

Managing BitLocker Encryption

After enabling BitLocker, you can manage your encryption settings through the BitLocker Drive Encryption window in the Control Panel. Here, you can:

• Change your password or PIN.
• Add additional unlock methods.
• Suspend or resume BitLocker protection.
• Backup your recovery key again if needed.

Start Encrypting Your Drives & Devices

Enabling BitLocker encryption on your Windows device is a straightforward process that significantly enhances the security of your data. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can protect your sensitive information from unauthorized access, giving you peace of mind in case your device is lost or stolen. Always remember to keep your recovery key in a safe place and update your unlock methods as needed to maintain the security of your encrypted drive.

Implementing BitLocker is a proactive step towards ensuring your data’s security. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact our IT support team for expert guidance.