Can BitLocker encrypt a specific folder?(not entire disk) (2024)

FAQs

Can BitLocker encrypt a specific folder?(not entire disk)? ›

BitLocker is designed to encrypt an entire drive. Whether it be a system, data, or removable drive. It does not have an option to encrypt a single file or folder. To specifically encrypt a folder you will want to use EFS

BitLocker is a built-in encryption feature in Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions that can protect folders and entire drives with a password. If you have Windows 10 Home, you can use third-party encryption software like VeraCrypt.

Yes, BitLocker can encrypt multiple partitions on the same disk or on different disks. However, you will need to encrypt each partition separately.

No, BitLocker doesn't encrypt and decrypt the entire drive when reading and writing data. The encrypted sectors in the BitLocker-protected drive are decrypted only as they're requested from system read operations. Blocks that are written to the drive are encrypted before the system writes them to the physical disk.

BitLocker is designed to encrypt an entire drive. Whether it be a system, data, or removable drive. It does not have an option to encrypt a single file or folder. To specifically encrypt a folder you will want to use EFS, TrueCrypt, or your encryption software of choice.

There are several reliable third-party tools available to password protect folders on Windows. Some popular options include Folder Lock, 7-Zip, and WinRAR. These tools offer robust encryption and password protection features, making it easy to secure your sensitive data.

Cons of BitLocker

Asking a nontechnical user to know things about encryption keys and proper storage or backup of these keys is a bit much. Not having the key can lock legitimate users out of their own data and using BitLocker can significantly impact performance (up to 45%) in some cases.

Upholding Kerckhoffs's principle

According to Microsoft sources, BitLocker does not contain an intentionally built-in backdoor, so there is no Microsoft-provided way for law enforcement to have guaranteed access to the data on a user's drive.

BitLocker. Microsoft includes a full disk encryption feature built into Windows called BitLocker. BitLocker is available on supported devices running Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition.

Why I Cannot Encrypt a folder? ›

Way 1: Fix Encrypt Folder Greyed out in Windows Services

You need to go to Windows services and check If the EFS service is stopped or disabled. If yes, just find out the Encrypting File System service and set it automatically start. In this way, the encryption option may be available again.

Yes, BitLocker drive encryption provides whole volume encryption, but specific prerequisites must be met before enabling whole disk encryption. ▌TPM Requirement: 1. A device needs TPM 1.2 or later versions for BitLocker to utilize the system integrity check provided by TPM.

Formatting the disk will remove the Bitlocker encryption. If you saved the keys in step 2, delete them. Any data remaining on the disk from before the format should be encrypted, and without the key, irrecoverable.

Bitlocker recovery mode can be triggered by a number of situations, including: A malicious attempt by a person or software to change the startup environment. Rootkits are one example. Moving the BitLocker-protected drive into a new computer.

How to password-protect a Google Drive folder. Unfortunately, you can't password-protect a folder in Google Drive. The best you can do is set permission controls that let you determine who can and cannot access a folder — or more precisely, which email addresses.

Windows 11 doesn't have a feature to protect a folder with a password because the account is already protected with your profile credentials (and encryption if you use BitLocker).

Can You Password Protect OneDrive Folders? Yes, you can. OneDrive offers the Personal Vault feature, which provides users with a protected area to store sensitive files and folders.