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Christoph Weigert
Christoph Weigert

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Protect your local data with BitLocker

Protect your local data with BitLocker

BitLocker is a feature embedded since Windows Vista that allows you to encrypt your hard disk. You should enable this feature to prevent unauthorized access to your private data in case your laptop or computer gets stolen. Another advantage is the integration with TPM (Trusted Platform Module) which validates the integrity of your boot and system files before decrypting your data.

Requirements to use BitLocker

BitLocker is only available for:

  • Computers with TPM 1.2 or later (Or use an external Drive to store the startup key)
  • Supported BIOS / UEFI
  • Boot drive with NTFS file system
  • System drive with FAT32 (UEFI) or NTFS (BIOS) file system

Setup BitLocker

Protect your local data with BitLocker
Open the Windows start menu and start typing BitLocker

Protect your local data with BitLocker
Click on the UAC Icon "Turn on BitLocker"

If your device is not supported, you will see the following message.

Protect your local data with BitLocker

If that's the case, you can buy a TPM Module I, for example, use the following Asus TPM Module, but be aware that your mainboard must have a TPM header.

Protect your local data with BitLocker
ASUS Computer TPM-M R2.0 from Amazon

After installing the module open again the Settings Dialog and follow the instructions after clicking "Turn on BitLocker".

If you have any questions, hit me up in the comment section.

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