Windows 10: How to enable hardware encryption on Samsung SSD 850 EVO w/o UEFI?

Discus and support How to enable hardware encryption on Samsung SSD 850 EVO w/o UEFI? in Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware to solve the problem; I have an older Dell Inspiron 1750 laptop. I replaced its original spinning HDD with a brand new Samsung SSD 850 EVO drive, that was advertised as... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware' started by ahmd, Jan 27, 2017.

  1. ahmd Win User

    How to enable hardware encryption on Samsung SSD 850 EVO w/o UEFI?


    I have an older Dell Inspiron 1750 laptop. I replaced its original spinning HDD with a brand new Samsung SSD 850 EVO drive, that was advertised as supporting hardware encryption. So now I'm trying to enable it.

    Here's what I did:

    1. Installed Windows 10 Pro from OEM disk, no crapware, just Microsoft stuff.

    2. Installed Samsung Magician software from the disc that came with the SSD drive.

    3. (Tried to) enable encryption. (The UI is kinda weird to understand.) I set it to "Encrypted Drive" which for some reason says "ready to enable":


    How to enable hardware encryption on Samsung SSD 850 EVO w/o UEFI? [​IMG]


    4. I then ran the BitLocker on drive C:. This laptop doesn't have TPM chip and I had to use a USB stick to unlock it. It took several reboots, but now the drive shows as encrypted:


    How to enable hardware encryption on Samsung SSD 850 EVO w/o UEFI? [​IMG]


    5. But now the question is -- does it use hardware or software encryption?

    The Windows Explorer UI doesn't seem to tell me that. So I ran the manage-bde -status c: command and got this:


    How to enable hardware encryption on Samsung SSD 850 EVO w/o UEFI? [​IMG]


    Which kinda looks like the hardware encryption is NOT enabled.

    So what am I missing here?

    PS. I keep finding some scarce references online that for the hardware encryption to work, it requires a UEFI (instead of BIOS) which this laptop does not have. It just has an older BIOS. But can I still use hardware encryption without UEFI?

    EDIT: After a suggestion I tried to disable BitLocker and then ran the following command:

    manage-bde -on c: -fet Hardware -startupkey d:

    and got this result:

    Code:
    C:\Windows\system32>manage-bde -on c: -fet Hardware -startupkey d:
    BitLocker Drive Encryption: Configuration Tool version 10.0.14393
    Copyright (C) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

    Volume C: [Windows]
    [OS Volume]
    ERROR: An error occurred (code 0x803100b2):
    The drive specified does not support hardware-based encryption.

    NOTE: If the -on switch has failed to add key protectors or start encryption,
    you may need to call "manage-bde -off" before attempting -on again.

    :)
     

  2. [Samsung 850 Evo SSD Encryption (Magician Software)] & [WPD Volume Driver Windows (Portable USB Storage) Errors] & [Windows 10 Features - Disable?]

    I just recently encrypted my SSD (Not M.2) and I kept getting WPD Volume Driver Errors in Windows (Yellow Explanation Marks) Under Device Manager. Right under any and all USB Sticks or SD Card Reader Drive Letters.

    At first, I thought I messed up Secure Boot (Windows) in BIOS maybe in using the Magician Software (free Dos) which is CMS (Legacy Mode) ON.

    So, I Clean Installed Windows 10, over again, even though, the encryption of the SSD Erases everything, and was already on a Clean Install...

    Each time the new Install clears the WPD Volume Errors, but would return... as I went along re-installing software.

    To save you time, about it, this repeated for some days, and I finally pinned it down to the Windows 10 Features. I kept Clicking all of the Features in the Programs in Control Panel. (Turning them all ON)

    Apparently, some, (but, not sure, which), features will cause these WPD Volume Driver Errors on all USB Sticks and SD Card Drive Letters after I encrypted the SSD.

    My, question is Why? and which features (Microsoft), would cause this kind of horrible thing to my new "good" hardware system?

    PS: I do not use the Extra features in Windows 10, except maybe old Net Beans, besides recently. I have never read anywhere that happens from Windows 10 Features and was wondering, if I was the only one?

    PSS: Do not repeat the process, results may not vary much.
     
    MatthewBott, Jan 27, 2017
    #2
  3. Windows 10 purchased version -- can't personalize settings ...

    I’m trying on an HP 2500 Notebook PC w/Samsung SSD 850 EVO



    I tried rebooting as suggested below. It defaulted to an option to reinstall as Windows 10 Pro only, not the home version
     
    MichaelCBerger, Jan 27, 2017
    #3
  4. How to enable hardware encryption on Samsung SSD 850 EVO w/o UEFI?

    According to this article to use E-Drive, which after reading equates to Encrypted drive, you must be UEFI based. Read what should I watch out for when using e-Drive.

    The article within reason explains their different options.

    Access Denied
     
    Caledon Ken, Jan 28, 2017
    #4
  5. ahmd Win User
    Thanks. And yes, I guess I'm stuck with the software-based encryption since the BIOS I have does not support UEFI and Windows 10 BitLocker won't use hardware based encryption because of that, even if the SSD supports it. I just wish they had it documented better -- both in Samsung manual and in their sales page (Amazon) before you buy it.

    But you know, after watching this presentation, I'm kinda thinking that maybe software based encryption is somewhat safer:
    Bypassing of Self-Encrypting Drives – Techniques for Hackers and Forensic Investigators - YouTube
     
  6. I'm a big believer in encryption but with that said I also know the risks. Had two people on these forums in the last two weeks that had lost access to their data.

    I encrypted data when I take it out of my house and for files on my computer I ensure I have an unencrypted copy safely tucked away.

    It's really important to keep copies of keys outside encryption so you can access. It also important to test your ability to decrypt your data on a alternate machine should your machine meet an untimely demise, like fried motherboard.
     
    Caledon Ken, Jan 29, 2017
    #6
  7. ahmd Win User
    Yes, all you need to save (with BitLocker) is Identifier and Recovery Key. The former is used to ID the drive if you have several, and the latter is a form of your private key for decryption. Both can be easily tucked away into your favorite password manager. I personally use LastPass.

    Also make sure to watch the video I linked to above. It proves that even a full disk encryption can be bypassed in some cases. Pretty unnerving stuff though.
     
  8. How to enable hardware encryption on Samsung SSD 850 EVO w/o UEFI?

    I use password safe and as I don't use cloud I keep a copy outside my encrypted data when its offsite.
     
    Caledon Ken, Apr 5, 2018
    #8
Thema:

How to enable hardware encryption on Samsung SSD 850 EVO w/o UEFI?

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