A thorough, lengthy, but greatly effective security choice

Jul 2, 2015 15:22 GMT  ·  By

As most might consider, the Internet is not the only threat to your confidential data or files. Hacking into someone’s computer can simply be the result of leaving the PC unattended, even if it’s not connected to the web. Don’t worry, there are ways to stay on the safe side.

Since Microsoft wants or tries really hard to make Windows perfectly safe, there’s a built-in tool with which to add a solid layer of security to both your hard disk drive and USB drives. Just as seen over the web, it’s not an easy task, and there’s a chance the version of Windows you’re running doesn’t support this function.

In case it does, the whole content of the drive is secured with a strong password, or even a USB flash drive, while also compressing and encrypting it. As such, you’ll find below a few tips on how to check if your computer can handle it, and how to put it in motion in a positive circumstance.

Checking for support and trying to enable

The easiest way to find out if your computer supports BitLocker is to go directly to the source. In other words, if the feature is not supported, then you won’t see it on the list.

Step 1: Access My Computer/This PC, or any other way to have view over drive volumes or USB drives.

Step 2: Right-click a drive and you should see the option to Turn On BitLocker.

The longer way around:

Step 1: Go to the Control Panel and click on System and Security.

Step 2: Look for BitLocker Drive Encryption and click it.

There you find all connected and supported drives, with some details, as well as options to turn on BitLocker feature for drives individually, or manage existing conditions.

Note: Even if BitLocker is supported, there are some chances it is strictly related to Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which is a microchip that stores keys needed to process the locked drive.

Allowing BitLocker without Trusted Platform Module

Step 1: To quickly get there, press Win + R to launch the Run utility.

Step 2: Write down gpedit.msc and press Enter.

Step 3: Using the pane on the left, navigate to this location: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> BitLocker Drive Encryption -> Operating System Drives.

Step 4: Click on Operating System Drives to expand all options.

Step 5: Double-click on the option to Require Additional Authentication at Startup. A new configuration window needs to appear.

Step 6: To the far left, where the three options are, make sure to tick Enabled.

Step 7: In the same window, identify the Options section and check to Allow BitLocker Without a Compatible TPM.

Step 8: Press Apply and OK to confirm changes.

Working with BitLocker

Step 1: Repeat the first couple of steps or the Long Way Around to reach BitLocker.

Step 2: Check the security option you want to apply, which can either be a password or Smart Card. It’s best to choose a password.

Step 3: Select a way to be able to recover later on. If you apply BitLocker on a fixed drive, you can save the key to a USB Flash drive, along with the possibility of saving a local file or printing it out.

Step 4: Press Next after saving the Recovery Key, then choose to Start Encrypting.

Note: Depending on the drive size, it can take a considerable amount of time to finish the encryption process, so make sure to save all your work and be prepared to leave your PC running for some time.

Accessing the drive again is a simple task and only requires you to remember the password or other access ways you selected. Data on the drive remains intact, but with an extra layer of security attached.

In conclusion

Considering all the above, it’s a difficult decision to make when it comes to the security of your personal data. Third-party applications are not always efficient or safe, and it’s best to rely on basic options first, do some research, and only then can you start picking applications to work with.

Configuring and using BitLocker (7 Images)

BitLocker Drive Encryption
Access via ComputerAccess from Control Panel
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