5 Tips for Setting Up BitLocker on Windows to Secure Your Files

BitLocker Drive Encryption is a very important feature in Windows 11 that helps protect your files from malicious actors. By encrypting your drive, BitLocker ensures that even if someone steals your laptop, they cannot access the data on it simply by connecting the drive to another computer.

BitLocker is enabled by default in Windows 11 Pro or later editions, and a more limited version is also available in Windows 11 Home. However, if you want to set up BitLocker optimally, there are a few things you need to know. Let's take a closer look.

Encrypt all your hard drives

It's best to be on the safe side

By default, Windows 11 encrypts all hard drives on your PC with BitLocker when you connect them for the first time. This also applies to newly created partitions. However, it's a good idea to make sure any drives permanently on your computer are encrypted so you don't risk having your data compromised on a secondary drive.

If you upgrade your storage at some point, make sure to enable BitLocker for your new SSD as well. It's always a good idea to make sure all your drives are encrypted in Control Panel.

Automatically unlock drives on your PC

And set a password

If you manually enable encryption for a drive, you have several options for setting up BitLocker. One to keep in mind is the option to automatically unlock the drive on This PC. Essentially, this means that as long as you use this drive on the computer where you set up BitLocker, it will be automatically decrypted when you log in, allowing you to access the files without worrying about passwords every time.

This is extremely important with hard drives because you will be accessing the drive fairly frequently. However, you can also do this with removable drives if you plan to use the drive frequently on your computer. Luckily, auto-unlocking is the default behavior for drives that Windows automatically encrypts, so you don't have to worry about it too much with the latest versions of Windows.

You may also want to enable the option to password protect the drive. If you set up BitLocker without a password, the only way to unlock it outside of your main PC is with the recovery key, which is extremely long and tedious to enter. A password makes unlocking the drive much easier if you ever move it to another PC or don't want it to be unlocked automatically.

Be careful with external drives

Only Windows can open BitLocker drives

When using BitLocker with external drives, you need to be careful and consider what devices these drives will be connected to. BitLocker is a Windows feature and other operating systems such as macOS or Linux cannot open BitLocker encrypted drives under normal circumstances. By encrypting drives you want to move, you may not have access to your files when you need them.

There is some software that allows you to unlock drives on other operating systems, but it usually requires a fee. So it's important to keep this in mind when planning how to set up device encryption. Only encrypt drives that you know you can unlock if necessary.

Use your Microsoft account

This is the easiest way to restore your drives

BitLocker is a great way to protect your files, but of course at some point you will need to access the drive outside of your main PC and then you may need the recovery key. If you set up Windows 11 normally with a Microsoft accountYour BitLocker recovery keys will automatically be backed up to your Microsoft account, which is honestly the best option.

If you haven't signed in with a Microsoft account, I highly recommend doing so to set up BitLocker. If you use your Microsoft account to back up your keys, you can access them at any time simply by visiting this page. Although you need an internet connection, you don't have to worry about losing it or forgetting where you stored the key. And provided you protect your Microsoft account, you don't have to worry about someone else getting their hands on the key.

Keep a second backup just in case

In case the internet goes down

Of course, you won't always have internet, and if you back up your key to your Microsoft account, you never know when you might not be able to restore a drive because you don't have a connection. While the Microsoft account method is the most reliable way to ensure the key is available, a second backup can be helpful in emergencies.

In BitLocker Settings in Control Panel, you can choose whether you want to print a backup key or save it as a digital file. This can serve as a failsafe if you ever need the recovery key and don't have internet access. Whichever option you choose, make sure you store it in a safe place where it cannot be touched unless you specifically look for it.

Let BitLocker work for you

BitLocker is one of Windows' best security features and can be underestimated because it only works in the background. But if you need it to save the day, it's important to be aware of how you're setting things up to ensure you have access to your files when you need them. These tips will help protect your files while making them easier for you to access. Keep this in mind when setting up BitLocker on your PC and you will surely have a good experience.

As a reminder, BitLocker is not available on Windows 11 Home and as of version 24H2, you can no longer change settings for this feature.