How To Encrypt In Windows 7

BYTE -- Sad but truthful. Your IT guy has to enable BitLocker in Windows vii before y'all tin utilize this excellent encryption tool. And then talk Information technology into information technology. I've included instructions at the end of this piece in example you need to help them out a flake.

Once information technology is enabled, information technology's time to get going with encrypting your drive. First, observe Bitlocker on your PC Windows 7 system drive. Right click on the bulldoze and select Turn on BitLocker.

BitLocker will scan your system to make sure the setup process tin keep. It might inform y'all that a new system drive will be created from gratuitous space on drive C. This is where BitLocker stores its kicking-time components . Later on this is done, reboot.

Next, configure the decryption key. Just plug in a USB drive with the decryption key on information technology at boot time. Or supply a Pin at startup for additional security.

When you select Crave a Startup Key, the organisation will prompt y'all to insert a USB wink bulldoze. This volition shop the decryption key. Information technology'll also prompt yous to relieve a carve up copy of the recovery primal, which you lot should save to decrypt the drive in the result the Startup central e'er gets damaged or goes missing.

TIP: Don't save the recovery key to the same identify as your Startup key. Information technology's like putting your house and motorcar keys on same ring. Non smart.

Earlier starting the encryption process, BitLocker will offer to run a system check. This ensures the Startup key is readable at boot fourth dimension and that decryption works. The whole procedure shouldn't have more than a couple of minutes, and I strongly recommend you take it up on its offering.

Note: When your system boots with the Startup key plugged in, a message that says Remove disks or other media could pop upwardly. If it does, printing whatever key to restart.

CAUTION: Do not remove the startup key when you see this bulletin. If you take the central out at this time, the startup cheque will fail and yous'll have to brainstorm again from a much before step. So merely printing a key and go on the boot process.

Once the startup check succeeds, BitLocker will begin encrypting the arrangement drive in the background. The encryption procedure could take several hours. During this time the calculator volition still exist usable -- and in fact fifty-fifty be suspended, shut down or restarted.

That said, the system will be slower reply while it encrypts the system drive. Don't wait to get a peachy deal done at this time.

If you double-click on the tray icon for BitLocker, you can meet a progress window for the encryption procedure.

Drives encrypted by BitLocker will have a lock icon. Annotation that only the system bulldoze has been protected. Notice the other drives in this system, which are for such auxiliary user information as downloads, are not encrypted. You'll have to encrypt them manually.

Remember, BitLocker is included in most versions of Windows, but non in home versions. Y'all'll have to seek another solution, like TrueCrypt.

Enjoy your newly secure kick drive.

Equally promised at the beginning, your system ambassador will have enable BitLocker in Windows. Here'south a guide yous can show them to aid them figure that out.

FOR ADMINISTRATORS: If you've got BitLocker up and visible on your system drive, just jump alee to the configure process. Launch gpedit.msc by typing that command in the Showtime Menu'south Search box and pressing Enter.

Navigate to Local Calculator Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> BitLocker Drive Encryption >> Operating System. Here is what you'll see.

Double-click on Require additional authentication at startup and select Enabled. Then check this: Allow BitLocker without a uniform TPM. The other options should each be set to Allow. Click OK and shut the Group Policy Editor.