How to Enable BitLocker in Windows 11/10 Home Edition

Microsoft allows you to encrypt hard drives with BitLocker across several Windows editions, such as Professional, Education, Server, and Enterprise Editions, from Windows 7 to Windows 11, providing users with robust data protection capabilities. Unfortunately, BitLocker does not support Windows Home Edition.

If you are looking to turn on BitLocker for Windows Home Editions, this article will provide you with a step-by-step tutorial on how to enable BitLocker in Windows 11 Home. These methods are also applicable to Windows 10 Home, so don't hesitate to give them a try.

• Part 1: Does Windows 11 Home Have BitLocker?
• Part 2: How to Enable BitLocker in Windows 11 Home?
• Solution 1: Use Third-Party Tools
• Solution 2: Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Professional or Others
• Solution 3: Open BitLocker on Another Computer that Is Not Running Home Edition
• Part 3: How to Use Device Encryption in Windows 11 Home?
• Part 4: Can You Encrypt Files in Windows 11 Home?

Part 1: Does Windows 11 Home Have BitLocker?

It's a pity that Windows 11 Home doesn't have BitLocker, nor other Home Edtitions, which means you cannot enable BitLocker in Windows Home. While Windows Home Edition lacks native support for BitLocker encryption, Microsoft provides Home users with an alternative through the Device Encryption feature, a simplified version of encryption akin to BitLocker, albeit with some limitations, which only encrypts your system drive.

Available specifically for Windows 11 Home Edition users, Device Encryption focuses on encrypting the system disk rather than providing full disk encryption capabilities like BitLocker.

While not as robust as BitLocker, Device Encryption provides a basic level of security for Windows 11 Home users to help protect their system and mitigate potential security risks.

Part 2: How to Enable BitLocker in Windows 11 Home?

Some Windows Home users may be eager to activate BitLocker for their drives, as it offers exceptional data encryption capabilities. Therefore, this section presents some solutions to turn on BitLocker for Windows 11 Home. Let's take a look.

Way 1: Turn on BitLocker in Windows 11 Home Using BitLocker Reader

Using a third-party tool like iSumsoft BitLocker Reader, is the easiest and most convenient way to turn on BitLocker for Windows Home Edition. In addition to Windows 11 Home, it is also compatible with Windows 10/7 Home, Windows 8/8.1 Core, and Windows 7 Pro Editions, giving you full access to the BitLocker, including turning on & off BitLocker and unlocking & locking BitLocker encrypted drive.

Learn how to use BitLocker in Windows 11 Home:

Step 1: Download the software and then install it.

Step 2: After the installation, start the program. On the interface, right-click the drive you want to enable BitLocker and then select Turn on BitLocker.

Step 3: You will then be prompted to set a password for the drive. Enter the password and then click Save to file to save your BitLocker Recovery Key.

Step 4: After saving the recovery key, the Encrypt button will be activated. Click on it to start encrypting your drive.

Step 5: Wait for the process to complete until you are prompted "Encrypt successfully".

Step 6: When you return to the Home page, you'll find that the encrypted drive is marked with a gray lock icon. Similarly, if you open File Explorer, you'll find the same indication.

Way 2: Enable BitLocker in Windows 11 Home by Upgrading Windows OS

One way to gain access to the BitLocker feature is to upgrade your Windows operating system. By upgrading to a version of Windows that supports BitLocker, such as Windows Professional, Education, or Enterprise editions, you unlock the ability to use this powerful encryption tool.

Upgrading your operating system not only gives you access to BitLocker, but also provides several additional features and enhancements that improve security, performance, and functionality.

Here are several articles with detailed steps to upgrade your Windows OS:

• How to Reinstall Windows 10/11 from USB or DVD
• How to Reinstall Windows 11 Without Losing Apps [2024]
• How to Install Windows 11 without TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot
• How to Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 without TPM 2.0

Way 3: Open BitLocker on Another Computer that Is Not Running Home Edition

Although Windows Home does not support BitLocker encryption for drives, it does support unlocking and reading BitLocker-encrypted drives. So, if you want to encrypt drives with BitLocker, you can connect the drive to a computer running Windows Pro, Education, or Enterprise, and then turn on BitLocker for the drive. Here are the detailed steps:

Step 1: After connecting the drive to a computer available for BitLocker, go to Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > BitLocker Drive Encryption. Then locate the connected drive and click Turn on BitLocker.

Step 2: You are asked to enter your password for unlocking the drive.

Step 3: Choose a way to save your recovery key, and then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the encryption.

Part 3: How to Use Device Encryption in Windows 11 Home?

To enable this feature, click Start > Settings > Privacy & Security > Device encryption, and then turn it on.

Part 4: Can You Encrypt Files in Windows 11 Home?

Yes, while BitLocker encryption isn't available in Windows 11 Home, you still have options for encrypting your files and folders. One easy method is to use the built-in encryption feature called "EFS" (Encrypting File System). With EFS, you can encrypt individual files and folders on your Windows system. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Right-click on the file or folder and select Properties.

Step 2: On the window, click Advanced.

Step 3: Select Encrypt contents to secure data task and then click OK.

Step 4: Click OK to complete the encryption.

Step 5: Now the file has been protected with a golden lock.