BitLocker – a disaster waiting to happen

BitLocker is Microsoft's built-in disk encryption seems like a good idea until you have a problem.
On a lot of newer Windows 11 PCs it's turned on automatically and if your drive fails or has any issues, you cannot simply transfer your files to a new drive or computer unless you have the 48-digit recovery key handy. And most people don’t. At this point your data is permanently irretrievable.

The solution to this problem is to either link your BitLocker setup to your Microsoft Account, assuming you have one, or, our preference, turn it off. Why? This feature doesn’t really achieve the security you might hope for and your file and photos etc are still exposed to nasty viruses and cryptolocker scammers.
Below are instructions on how to do this – or if you want help, skip to the bottom of the email.

How to turn off BitLocker (Windows 11)

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I), go to Privacy & security, then select Device encryption. If you're on Windows 11 Pro and want more control, search the Start menu for Manage BitLocker instead.
2. Turn the Device encryption switch off (or click Turn off BitLocker next to your main drive in Manage BitLocker), then confirm when Windows asks. Be careful to select the right drive if you have more than one.
3. Let it finish. Decryption runs in the background and can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours depending on how much is on the drive - DO NOT switch the computer off partway through. Check back and confirm it shows "Off" or "Not encrypted" before you consider it done.

Prefer to keep encryption on? Link it to your Microsoft account

1. Check you're actually signed into Windows with a Microsoft account rather than a local one: Settings > Accounts will tell you which.
2. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Device encryption and confirm it's switched on.
3. Confirm the key is actually backed up by visiting account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey from any device while signed in. If you can see a key listed against your PC, you're covered.

If you would like help do this, we are more than happy to help.
Pop in and see us at our workshop on Selwyn Street and we can do this while you wait for $65 or give us a call to organise one of our friendly onsite technicians to do it on the comfort of your own home for $145.

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(03) 666 4357

or 0800 FIX NOW (0800 349 669)