If you've been using it for quite a long time, then you might be already conscious of BitLocker encryption on Windows. BitLocker is a full-volume encryption feature incorporated with Windows versions starting with Windows. It's designed to protect data by giving encryption for entire volumes. By default, it uses the AES encryption algorithm in cipher block chaining or XTS mode having a 128-bit or 256-bit key. Similar to previous versions, Windows 11 also features this option. So let us observe how to allow BitLocker on Windows 11.

How you can Enable BitLocker on Windows 11:

BitLocker encryption can be enabled on both internal drives as well as removable drives like pen drives or external hard disks.

BitLocker is just obtainable in Windows 11 Pro, Education, and Enterprise editions, although not available in the Home or student editions.

Step 1: Open the start menu on Windows 11 and type BitLocker within the search area. You will see the Manage BitLocker option, click on this.

Step 2: This can get you to the Control Panel with the option to turn on BitLocker. Here you will be able to determine the drives connected as well as an option to enable BitLocker from the list. Click on the Turn on BitLocker link against the drive you need to encrypt.

Step 3: In the next step, you need to decide how you want to protect your drive. Among the options is to use your password and the second the first is to use a smart card. We'd suggest the password option. You have to enter and re-enter your password.

Step 4: Within the next step, you need to backup your recovery key. You may either save it to a file or print the recovery key.

Step 5: In the next step, you have to choose the encryption type. If you are encrypting the interior drives within the PC, you'll be able to choose the New Encryption mode. If you are going to encrypt external drives, then it's easier to opt for compatible mode. If you are planning to use this drive on an older version of Windows (Windows 7, 8, or 8.1), this is the best choice to opt for.

Step six: The following choice is to choose the quantity of space to encrypt, either the entire drive or just the consumed disk space.

Step 7: The next thing is the final confirmation page before you begin encrypting. Here you have to click the start encrypting button.

Step 8: Now the BitLocker encryption will start and it will take a moment based on the space for storage and quantity of space used up by the drive.

How to Access BitLocker Protected Drives:

Now that you've got encrypted the drive(s) with BitLocker, how do you access them? You are able to access them the standard way you access any drive. If you open the BitLocker protected drive, you receive a prompt to go in the password.

You are able to enter the password you place up while encrypting the drive. If at any time, you your investment password, click on the More Options and you'll see a choice to go in the recovery key you saved while encrypting the drive.

How you can Disable BitLocker Protection:

So as the disable the BitLocker protection, you need to open the Control Panel (as shown in step 2), and you might find a choice to disable BitLocker, from the drive you protected using BitLocker encryption. Click the Turn off BitLocker link in the settings.

This can start the decrypting process of your drive. This will take a moment based on the amount of data available in the drive.