Microsoft Improves BitLocker in Windows 7
August 24, 2009 at 10:08:50 PM, by Gilberto J. Perera
Microsoft introduced BitLocker Drive Encryption to Windows Vista three years ago. On October 22nd with the launch of Windows 7, BitLocker Drive Encryption or simply BitLocker for short will ship with Ultimate version of Windows 7. When over 12,000 laptops are estimated to be lost or stolen in US airport alone each week (1) it is increasingly important to understand and make user of BitLocker should your new computer ship with Windows Ultimate.
The following list highlights the enhancements to BitLocker in Windows 7;
- Users will now be able to enable BitLocker on a drive simply by right-clicking on it and selecting the option from the menu.
- Unlike BitLocker for Windows Vista that required multiple partitions for drive encryption and configuration for already configured PC’s that felt like pulling teeth, BitLocker for Windows 7 automatically configures the drive(s) during installation to simplify the use and deployment of BitLocker. This greatly reduces the need for drive repartitioning, formatting, and potential loss of data.
- Microsoft has also added a Data Recovery Agent to Windows 7 BitLocker. This feature allows IT personnel to ensure that all protected volumes are encrypted with the appropriate DRA. The DRA is a key protector that provides access to encrypted volumes to IT staff.
- The most anticipated feature of BitLocker for Windows 7 is the ability to encrypt portable storage devices. This feature was on top of the list of corporate and retail users alike. Unlike BitLocker for Vista which provided a very limited set of features for removable disks, Windows 7 allows users to encrypt portable storage devices to ensure that the data is protected.
- BitLocker To Go also allows IT administrators to have greater control over the portable devices that are attached to networked computers. It also allows for the use of validation like smart cards, domain user credentials, and passwords to control the removable storage attached to PC’s.
- Any BitLocker enable portable storage device can be opened in other non-BitLocker devices. The drive allows read-only support for older versions of Windows (Vista and XP).
##ADSENSE##
As you can Microsoft has really enhanced the BitLocker feature with the release of Windows 7, from making it easier to configure and manage in a corporate environment to providing high level encryption to portable devices it looks like Microsoft hit this one out of the ballpark.
Optional
If you’re not willing to pay extra for the Ultimate version of Windows 7 to use the BitLocker functionality you might want to take a look at the following list of encryption tools - 9 Programs to Encrypt Your Memory Key
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