Get Started
Note
You will not be able to encrypt your drive unless you have a network connection.
Customization note: This document contains guidance and/or step-by-step installation instructions that can be reused, customized, or deleted entirely if they do not apply to your organizations environment or installation scenarios. The text marked in red indicates either customization guidance or organization-specific variables. All of the red text in this document should either be deleted or replaced prior to distribution.
Turn On BitLocker
After you connect to the corporate network, you can turn on BitLocker. BitLocker then turns on your computers Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip, which is a microchip that enables your computer to utilize advanced security features.
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Start BitLocker
Initially, when you start BitLocker, you can create a personal identification number (PIN) that you can use each time you start your computer, or you can designate a startup key that you must enter each time that you attempt to access a USB drive. This additional protection is optional, but is recommended. If you are going to use DirectAccess as your remote-connectivity software solution, you must create a PIN. To start BitLocker and create a PIN or startup key:
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Click Start , click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then click BitLocker Drive Encryption. Ensure your computers TPM is turned on. To do this, look for a TPM Administration link in the lower-left corner of the window under See also.
Important
If you do not see this link, the TPM is not on. For assistance in turning it on, contact << helpdesk contact or technical support URL>>. <<Organization >> recommends using a PIN or startup key because it is the most secure option. You must create a PIN if you are going to use DirectAccess as your remote-connectivity software solution.
On the Enter a numeric startup PIN page, in the PIN field, type a number that is between 5 and 20 digits in length. The longer your PIN number, the more secure your computer will be. In the Confirm PIN field, retype the number. Click Set PIN.
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On the How do you want to store your recovery key? page, click one of the following options: Save the recovery key to a file. Microsoft IT recommends this option, which enables you to save your password to a network file-share folder, such as My Site. Print the recovery key.
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Click Next. On the Encrypt the drive page, select the Run BitLocker System check box, and then click Continue. Close and save any files that you have open. (In the next step, you will restart the computer.) Click Continue. BitLocker restarts your computer and begins the encryption process.
You can perform all updates and system changes by suspending BitLocker protection. You typically do not need to turn BitLocker off for any reason other than to decrypt your drive. To suspend BitLocker:
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Click Start , click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then click BitLocker Drive Encryption. Click Suspend Protection.
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Connect to the corporate network. Decide whether you want to use password protection or smart card protection.. Insert the portable drive (USB drive, SC card, SD/MMC card, etc.) into the appropriate slot. Click Start, click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then click BitLocker Drive Encryption. Click Turn On BitLocker next to the portable storage device that you want to encrypt.
BitLocker will decrypt your hard-disk drive in approximately 13 hours, depending on the hard-disk size. You can continue to use your computer during the encryption process.
In the Choose how you want to unlock this drive dialog box, select one of the following options. If you want to use a password to unlock the drive, select the Use a password to unlock the drive check box, enter your password twice, and then click Next. If you want to use a smart card to unlock the drive instead, select the Use my smart card to unlock the drive check box, insert your smart card, and then click Next.
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Click Start Encrypting. Encryption time varies but typically takes 3 minutes per GB of data. An encryption progress dialog box will appear, followed eventually by a completion notice.
In the BitLocker Drive Encryption dialog box, do one of the following: To print the recovery key, click Print the recovery key, and then click Next. Or a. To save the recovery key to My Site or another file share, click Save the recovery key to a file. b. In the Save BitLocker Recovery Key as dialog box, BitLocker suggests a filename to use. You can edit this filename to distinguish it from recovery keys that you may acquire for additional portable devices. For example, you might want to name it BitLocker San Disk 2Gig Recovery Key DDxxxDxx.
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Click Close. When the encryption is complete, remove the device. If you chose smart card encryption, remove your smart card. Wait a few seconds and then reinsert the device and/or smart card. Do one of the following: If you chose password protection: i. ii. Enter your password. If you want to have the device automatically unlocked when you use it with your computer, select the Automatically unlock on this computer from now on check box. To use auto-unlock, BitLocker must be enabled. Click Unlock. If you chose smart card protection, click Unlock, enter your PIN, and then click OK.
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iii.
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Click Manage BitLocker. Select one of the options in the dialog box.
Manage BitLocker To Go
After you encrypt a portable drive, you may want to change a password, remove a password, add a smart card to unlock the drive, save or print a recovery key again, or turn the automatic unlock feature on or off. To make any of these changes:
Click Start , click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then click BitLocker Drive Encryption.
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