Windows Drive Encryption
Windows solution to Full Disk Encryption is Bitlocker. Without Bitlocker enabled, the contents stored on your computer are easily read if someone gains access to your hard drive (e.g, through theft). Bitlocker uses your computer password to encrypt the data so it's important to have a strong password set.
Bitlocker is only available on Pro, Education, and Enterprise editions of Windows and has specific hardware requirements. Windows can automatically scan your system to know if it meets the requirements.
Enabling Bitlocker in Windows
- Click Start and search "encryption" and select "Change device encryption settings" from the results.
- Select Manage Bitlocker and then select Turn on Bitlocker.
- Choose how you would like your drive to be accessed (recommend using a password).
- Choose desired option for a recovery key.
- Choose how much of the drive you would like to encrypt.
- Choose encryption mode you would like.
- Make sure "Run BitLocker System Check" is checked.
- Restart computer and enter password.
- Your drive should begin encrypting!