How to Enable BitLocker on Windows 10 Home?

With digitalisation, protecting personal files and valuable data plays a very crucial role, especially for Windows users, as like the technology is becoming advanced, scammers are also updating themselves. Microsoft has launched Bitlocker to protect your sensitive data from unauthorised access.

Read this blog till the end to know how to enable BitLocker on Windows 10 Home?, what BitLocker is, if you can use it on Windows 10, its benefits, what to do if BitLocker is not working, and more.

Can You Use BitLocker on Windows 10 Home?

Bitlocker is a built-in Windows security feature that guards your device and secures your data from unknown and unauthorised access and other malicious activities. You cannot use traditional BitLocker on your Windows 10, as it is limited to pro, enterprise or education editions; however, you can use another simplified feature known as Device Encryption for your Windows 10 Home.

Some Important Things to Remember

The following are some important things that a user must keep in mind, before or while encrypting:

• Keep your recovery key safely with yourself.
• Never interrupt the encryption process in between.
• Always keep your Microsoft account safe and secure.
• After encryption your system’s performance can be slightly affected. 

How to Enable Device Encryption on Windows 10 Home?

Follow the steps mentioned below to enable device encryption in Windows 10 Home:

Step 1: Sign in With a Microsoft Account

A Microsoft account is required for data encryption for protecting your data and saving your recovery key safely.

Step 2: Open Device Encryption Setting

After creating a Microsoft account, you need to go to “Settings”, then go to “Update and Security”, then “Device Encryption”.

Step 3: Turn On Encryption

Now, click on “Turn On”. After that, Windows will start encrypting data, files, and more automatically in the background without affecting your performance. However, the process might take some time depending on the storage of your system.

What Are the Benefits of Enabling BitLocker or Device Encryption?

The following are the benefits of enabling BitLocker or device encryption on your Windows 10 device:

• It provides ultimate data protection, ensuring that scammers or unknown users cannot access your personal information or other personal details.
• If someone boots your computer from a different system, it prevents them from getting access to your data, files or documents.
• It works quietly in the background without disturbing your daily work or activities on your device or user experience.
• The good thing about this feature is that, when you sell or recycle old hardware, no data can be recovered from that device.

Final Words

It is crucial for users to understand that Windows 10 doesn’t include the full version of BitLocker, as it is reserved for the Pro or Education editions for now; however, many compatible devices support device encryption.

You can enable device encryption, as it provides the same protection as Bitlocker provides in safeguarding your files, data, personal information, and more. If you want advanced protection, then you can upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.