Subj : Windows 11 Pro users beware: Microsoft's BitLocker encryption cou To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Oct 24 2023 18:00:05 Windows 11 Pro users beware: Microsoft's BitLocker encryption could be seriously slowing down your PC Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:48:35 +0000 Description: Microsoft's built-in BitLocker encryption could be significantly slowing down your SSD's performance if you have Windows 11 Pro. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Microsofts software encryption for SSDs, BitLocker, has been found to be slowing down SSD performance by up to 45% in Windows 11 Pro . BitLocker is enabled automatically when Windows 11 Pro is installed and set up, and is intended to increase the security of SSD-related processes. Eager to analyze the issue, TomsHardware tested the feature and found that SSD speeds could be seriously affected when running some applications. Apparently, this happens because the software-based BitLocker constantly prompts encryption and decryption processes with data on your SSD while your computer carries out read and write processes. So, as your computer extracts and puts away files and data from your SSD as you go about your business, each of these inward and outward actions from the SSD is coupled with an additional encryption or decryption process that kicks off automatically every time. A pcwelt.de article (translated by PCWorld) points the finger at Windows 11 developers including the encryption software as part of the installation process of Windows 11 Pro. According to pcwelt.de, many modern SSDs have their own built-in hardware-based encryption processes, and that results in all decryption and encryption processes being handled by SSD itself. Regardless, Bitlocker is activated when Windows 11 Pro is set up without giving users the option to opt-out or disable it. (Image credit: Microsoft) What is the heart of the problem and does it affect you? Its speculated that Microsoft insists on doing this because if it doesnt, then it must give up control of encryption to SSD manufacturers. This means that Microsoft would have to depend on these SSD manufacturers to manage such a vital feature for Windows 11 Pro users, and, in recent years, there have been vulnerability issues in the hardware encryption code created by the SSD manufacturers. These manufacturers have been attentive and patched these vulnerabilities, but perhaps understandably, Microsoft doesnt want to have to rely on a third-party to guarantee users SSD security. It seems like Windows 11 Home isnt affected by this specific issue because BitLocker encryption isnt supported. To find out if your SSD is affected by this problem, you can do the following: Open the Windows 11 Pro Command line with administrator rights. Enter the following command: manage-bde -status This should open up the BitLocker Drive Encryption: Configuration Tool which allows you to analyze all the drives in your computer. If you open Conversion Status , youll be able to figure out how your SSD data is encrypted. Next, if you look at Encryption Method , you should see what type of encryption is used on a particular drive: software encryption (XTS-AES) or hardware encryption (Hardware Encryption). XTS-AES means that BitLocker is enabled and is running software encryption, while Fully decrypted means BitLock is disabled and encryption processes take place in the SSD. When users use programs that greatly involve the SSD, because every in and out process of the SSD is compounded with an extra encryption or decryption process, the SSD has to handle more processes altogether and experiences greater strain. Microsoft may be working on a software patch to address this whole issue in Windows 11 Pro, but its unconfirmed if this is currently being developed. (Image credit: Startup Stock Photos / Pexels) How to configure BitLocker in Windows 11 Pro To speed up your device, you might consider disabling BitLocker, but you have to make an informed decision, as BitLocker and the extra security it provides is beneficial to those who use corporate and business devices, and those who find themselves travelling often, and find that theyre in situations where theres heightened risk of the device being stolen in general. If you have BitLocker installed, because its integrated with your system on a software and operating system level, you can only access the computers data by entering the Windows account details tied to that specific Windows 11 Pro device. If corporate and business devices come with Windows 11 Pro, then its likely that they have default settings, and that these devices are experiencing this specific type of slowdown. After careful consideration and understanding, if you need higher-level data protection and you still want to get rid of this SSD encryption protection, then you can deactivate BitLocker by taking the following steps. Make sure that you understand clearly what level of encryption you need before you do this! Open the Windows 11 Pro Command line with administrator rights Enter the following command: manage-bde -off C: C: here represents whatever drive you want to turn off BitLocker for, and if its not C: then you need to change it to the drive you want to remove BitLocker from. After that, you will need to restart your computer to complete the process of disabling BitLocker. There is a way to not totally disable SSD encryption altogether, but switch it from software encryption to hardware encryption and this process has also been detailed by pcwelt.de (translated by PCWorld) . I personally would only consider disabling BitLocker if you dont use your computer in any work capacity, or if you dont have any data or files on it that you consider particularly sensitive. However, this is still useful information in terms of understanding more about the inner workings of your computer and digital security. MORE STORIES LIKE THIS Dont mistake that 1TB SSD for a snack smallest ever solid state drive that's barely bigger than a thumbnail debuts in Japan Your next laptop could run faster, last longer and pack more memory thanks to Samsungs revolutionary new technology but it wont be cheap The worlds fastest SSD has just been tested and it packs an unbelievable smart cooling system ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-pro-users-beware-micros ofts-bitlocker-encryption-could-be-seriously-slowing-down-your-pc --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .