Data encryption is an easy and effective way to protect your data, and there are two methods you can use in Windows 11.
As technology advances, users must implement effective security measures to keep them safe from threats and malicious actors taking advantage of every vulnerability they find. This means that, apart from securing your system using antivirus programs, users must know how to keep their local files safe and secure.
Thankfully, Microsoft addresses the massive need of its users to protect their sensitive data by providing them with a built-in option to encrypt their hard drives. In this article, we will discuss two methods to turn on device encryption on your Windows 11 PC so that you can have better system security.
You have two ways to encrypt your hard drive on Windows 11: via device encryption or BitLocker. Both of them are security features that help users protect their sensitive information. Device encryption uses one or more mathematical techniques to safeguard your data, while BitLocker encryption uses the XTS-AES 128-bit encryption method to secure your files.
Unfortunately, only some Windows 11 devices support the device encryption feature since it requires them to support Modern Standby. If you want to know if your computer can use device encryption, follow the steps below:
To enable device encryption on Windows 11
If this doesn't work, refer to our guide on fixing the device encryption feature on Windows 11 to learn more.
If your Windows 11 device doesn’t have a device encryption feature, you can use BitLocker instead. It’s also available in most Windows 11 devices, especially those with TPM 2.0. In addition to protecting your sensitive information, you can also use it to keep unauthorized persons from accessing your device.
If after turning on BitLocker on your device, and you see that it is not available for your Windows 11 device, this means that your computer is not TPM 2.0 ready. But don’t be discouraged. You can still enable BitLocker even if you don’t have a compatible TPM using the Group Policy Editor. Here’s how:
Encrypting your hard drive keeps all of your sensitive data safe and secure. At the same time, it will introduce another layer of protection against threats and malicious actors. However, you need to be careful when enabling this feature because if you’re not too careful with managing your password or keys, you will end up losing access to your precious data.
Kim is a technical writer who is passionate about animal welfare and the environment. A writer by day and a reader at night, she takes pleasure in acquiring new knowledge. She is an experienced researcher and advertising executive. In an alternate universe, she is a professional model.
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