Win 10 - Encrypted Drive

Just highlighting this if people are not already aware!

By chance I've discovered that my Win 10 has defaulted to encrypting my main HDD (i.e. the C:\ Drive), with bit-locker.

If you are not aware of this, & then subsequently have Win 10 fail to start, I think that you will find that you can kiss your Data goodbye (since you won't have the Bit-Locker Key!).

However, I've discovered that (under "Settings", "System", "About") you can switch it of and/or obtain a Recovery Key.

HTH

Bet you missed this

In reference to www.howtogeek.com/173592/windows-8.1-will-start-encrypting-hard-dri...:

Windows 8.1 will automatically encrypt the storage on modern Windows PCs. This will help protect your files in case someone steals your laptop and tries to get at them, but it has important ramifications for data recovery.

Previously, �BitLocker� was available on Professional and Enterprise editions of Windows, while �Device Encryption� was available on Windows RT and Windows Phone. Device encryption is included with all editions of Windows 8.1 � and it�s on by default.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

Bet you missed this

Yep! And I bet that so did a lot of people!

Just went back to my main PC (still with 8.1 on it) & I can't find any reference to it, nor can I find any settings associated with it (i.e. turning it off & on, plus downloading a Recovery Key)!

Yep! And I bet that so did a lot of people!

I'm having a read of this now

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/using-d...

All my machines running pro and drives are not encrypted.

I don't think the Windows 10 Home versions have it - whilst the Bitlocker option is in System -> About, clicking on it does nothing.

In reply to a post by MrTAToad2:

I don't think the Windows 10 Home versions have it

My Windows 10 Home version has it!

In reply to a post by Banger:

All my machines running pro and drives are not encrypted.

Same here with Windows 8.1 pro, Bit locker is off.

Windows (of any flavour) doesn't encrypt drives by default. It has to be turned on by choice. To turn it on by default would be stupid. It just doesn't happen.

In reply to a post by rogerfp:

Windows (of any flavour) doesn't encrypt drives by default. It has to be turned on by choice. To turn it on by default would be stupid. It just doesn't happen.

Well, I certainly did NOT turn it on, but it IS on in my newly upgraded Win 10!