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BitLocker on Windows 10 Home

G5 Cyber Security

TL;DR

Windows 10 Home doesn’t officially include BitLocker. However, you can enable Device Encryption (which uses similar technology) via the Control Panel or PowerShell. This guide shows you how.

How to Enable Device Encryption on Windows 10 Home

  1. Check if Device Encryption is Supported: Not all devices support it. Open System Information (search for ‘System Information’ in the Start Menu). Look for ‘BitLocker Ready’. If it says ‘Yes’, you’re good to go. Also check under TPM Manufacturer and Version – a compatible TPM chip is needed.
    • If BitLocker Ready says No, your hardware may not support Device Encryption.
  2. Enable Device Encryption via Control Panel:
    1. Open the Control Panel (search for it in the Start Menu).
    2. Go to System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption.
    3. You should see an option for Device encryption. Click Turn on Device encryption.
      • If you don’t see this option, proceed to the PowerShell method (Step 3).
    4. Follow the on-screen prompts to set a recovery key. Important: Store this key securely! You’ll need it if you forget your password or something goes wrong.
  3. Enable Device Encryption via PowerShell (if Control Panel option is missing):
    1. Open PowerShell as Administrator. (Right-click the Start button and choose ‘Windows PowerShell (Admin)’ or search for ‘PowerShell’, right-click, and select ‘Run as administrator’).
    2. Type the following command and press Enter: 
      Enable-BitLocker -MountPoint C:
      • This will start Device Encryption on your C drive. You may be prompted to confirm.
      • Replace C: with the correct drive letter if you want to encrypt a different drive.
    3. To check encryption status, use: 
      Get-BitLockerVolume | fl

      This will show detailed information about your BitLocker/Device Encryption status.

  4. Recovery Key Management:
    • After enabling Device Encryption, you’ll be given a recovery key. Save this key! You can save it to your Microsoft account, print it, or save it as a file.
    • To view the recovery key later: 
      Get-BitLockerRecoveryKey -MountPoint C:

      (Replace C: with the drive letter if needed.)

  5. Important Considerations:
    • Device Encryption will automatically encrypt your system files as they are used. This process can take a significant amount of time, especially on larger drives.
    • Performance may be slightly reduced while encryption is in progress.
    • Ensure you have a backup of important data before enabling Device Encryption, just in case something goes wrong.
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