Encrypt Your Drives With a TPM

Wouldn't it be convenient to encrypt and lock your additional internal drives, protecting them from online hacking and unauthorised users who may be operating your computer system? What's more, it would also be so convenient to be able to encrypt your external and removable drives too, including USB pen drives and SD cards.

To use Microsoft's latest end-user operable version of BitLocker, you will require a Pro version of Windows 10 or 11, and your system needs to be equipped with a Trusted Platform Module security chip device. Your computer may already have a TPM. It surely will if you have a Windows 11 system, as Windows 11 requires a module at version 2.0.

The chip device may be pre-soldered to your computer's internal hardware or otherwise, if you happen to be a budding D.I.Y. system builder, you may want to purchase a compatible module to plonk onto your motherboard's TPM header if it has one.

Your best bet is to have a motherboard that is not older than a few years old. A relatively newer processor is necessary too. Try to order a TPM made by your motherboard manufacturer and locate the header on your motherboard.

Once installed, activate it in your BIOS utility. Launch your BIOS settings utility upon boot to do so. If you are a Windows 10 Pro user, you will find that you have gained a top-notch professional encryption standard with Microsoft BitLocker, and pleasingly you may now also enjoy a free upgrade to Windows 11 Pro from Microsoft, knowing that your Windows 11 version is securely and properly installed with the Trusted Platform Module in your system. The Home Edition requires the module too, although the home version is limited only to reading inserted BitLocker protected drives when you enter the encryption key or password.

You need a TPM in the system and Windows Pro to encrypt or decrypt unless a specific setting is adjusted within Windows Pro to allow encryption and decryption without a TPM. Systems without a TPM can also read the drives by using the encryption key or password.

Once set up, locate BitLocker in the control panel.

Besides BitLocker in the control panel, try easily encrypting your drive by right-clicking on the icon for the drive and using the right-click menu. Beware that anyone may format your encrypted drives.

If your computer is already BitLocker capable or if you have modified your system, congratulations. Now you have a great way to privatise your computer files and a great way to use BitLocker is to encrypt a USB pen drive or maybe some micro-SD cards containing your crypto blockchain wallet credentials like private key access files or seed phrases.

Some people may have to reach for an expensive retail workstation computer system to have this convenience. Just shop around online and see just how many systems are available with the very best Microsoft Windows 11 Pro included. The price may be a little hefty and if you build systems you could plan a budget system build or a typical gaming system that has the BitLocker technology. 

Finally, I would like to recommend Intel Alder Lake Celeron for a budget system and be aware of other encryption software available including for Android. Happy encrypting folks!