BitLocker: Securing Your Windows 11 with AES Encryption

As we have discussed the importance of security and updates previously, i am  now going to show you how to add an extra level of protection in case your device gets lost or (God forbid) stolen by adding another layer of protection, safeguarding your personal and sensitive data.

BitLocker: Microsoft's encryption feature is designed to protect your files and drives on Windows systems. We discuss how it enhances security on Windows 11.

BitLocker is a built-in encryption feature in Windows operating systems, including Windows 11, that provides enhanced security by encrypting entire disk volumes. This encryption ensures that unauthorized users cannot access or tamper with your data without the appropriate decryption key.

How Does BitLocker work?

When you enable BitLocker on a drive, it encrypts the entire volume, including all files and system data. To access the encrypted data, you need to provide the decryption key, which can be a password, or smart card. 

Without this key, the data remains inaccessible, even if the drive is removed from the original system. 

BitLocker uses advanced encryption algorithms, such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), to protect your data. This ensures that even if someone gains physical access to your drive, they cannot decrypt the data without the correct key.

Your local key cannot be recovered by Microsoft if you forget it, ( can backup key to your Microsoft account)

With BitLocker, even if your device is lost or stolen, your data remains safe and inaccessible to anyone without the decryption key.

BitLocker seamlessly integrates with Windows 11, without the need for third-party software.

Once enabled, BitLocker operates in the background, encrypting and decrypting data on the fly without requiring user intervention.

How to Enable BitLocker on Windows 11

Click on the Search bar, then select type in Control , press enter 

In the Control panel menu,  click System and Security icon

Select BitLocker Drive encryption icon

Find the drive you want to encrypt, then click on turn BitLocker on. Follow the on-screen instructions to enable BitLocker and choose your preferred encryption method and authentication options.

Find the drive you want to encrypt, then click on turn BitLocker on

It's crucial to backup your BitLocker recovery key in case you forget your password or encounter issues accessing your encrypted drive.

Once you've configured BitLocker settings, the encryption process will begin. Depending on the size of the drive and your system's performance, this process may take some time.

You now have a BitLocked drive, which only you can access. 

Please use backups as discussed in previous blog as you may need it one day !