BitLocker is the built-in full-disk encryption feature in Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. It encrypts the operating system drive and fixed data drives using AES-XTS, with optional TPM-backed pre-boot authentication.
BitLocker
Official website learn.microsoft.com/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker
Our take
BitLocker requires no installation and is the lowest-friction path to full-disk encryption for Windows users who already have a supported edition. TPM integration means the drive unlocks transparently at boot without a passphrase, which is convenient but also means physical access to the machine can defeat the protection if TPM pins are not set. It is closed-source and Microsoft holds the encryption design, which is a genuine trust consideration compared to open alternatives. A reasonable baseline for Windows device encryption, particularly in managed enterprise environments, but not the right tool if you need cross-platform access or verifiable open-source code.
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BitLocker alternatives
VERNAM A free, fully client-side file encryptor that runs in your browser. Drop in any file, set or generate a passphrase, and it seals the result into its own .vrn format. Nothing is ever uploaded, and it works offline.
VeraCrypt It can create a virtual encrypted disk that works just like a regular disk but within a file. It can also encrypt a partition or the entire storage device with pre-boot…
Cryptomator Cryptomator encrypts your data quickly and easily. Afterwards you upload them protected to a cloud service.
7-Zip File archiver with a high compression ratio and built-in encryption functionality.
GnuPG GnuPG (GNU Privacy Guard) is the free, GPL-licensed implementation of the OpenPGP standard. A command-line tool for Linux, macOS, and Windows, it encrypts and signs files and email, and manages public-key directories.
Gpg4win Gpg4win is the official Windows installer for GnuPG, bundling the Kleopatra certificate manager and GpgOL for Outlook integration. It provides OpenPGP and S/MIME encryption for files and email on Windows.