Windows 10: Microsoft may have your encryption key; here’s how to take it back

It doesn't require you to buy a new copy of Windows.

Read more: http://arstechnica.com/information-t...-take-it-back/

 

Honestly, so what? I'm not shooting the messenger of course but this privacy stuff is getting silly.

For this to be an issue you have to both have someone steal your device and secondly hack into your MS account. Having your bitlocker key without your disk is as useless as the other way around.

Of course you can do as the article suggests

and stick it on a post-it under your keyboard presumably. I couldn't remember 9 blocks of 6 characters certainly.

Nonetheless an interesting article for non Pro users (who can't use bitlocker). If you want bitlocker you would buy Pro. If you don't device encryption is a good compromise as your data isn't just saved in the clear on your disk.

:)

 

Bitlocker: errors concerning system drive

Bump.

Stumbled on this when i read here that you can encrypt a disk with Windows 10 Home by using the command. Made no sense to me. Link is here:

Microsoft may have your encryption key; here’s how to take it back

Curious to know the answer to what Steve posted, as well as the authenticity of my link above.

 

Backup your file encryption key prompt

I randomly get the prompt "backup your file encryption key." I had no idea I had a file encryption key, let alone how to back it up. It could be related somehow to another prompt I used to get a lot, but now infrequently, to enter my latest Microsoft
credential. When I click on the either prompt, it just takes me to my account page, with no clue as to what to do next. I'm obviously already signed in.

 

I read that as a real non issue,, issue. Must be a slow news day?? *really

 

I've just looked at OneDrive Recovery Keys and Windows 10 Mobile recovery keys aren't stored there despite 'Device Encryption' being switched on. Neither does it show as encrypted under 'Storage', which begs the question, is 'Device Encryption' even on and if it is, where are the recovery keys stored for Windows 10 Mobile Devices?

 

What if you look here though?





I blanked out the disks I'm still using (just in case).

Are you saying phones aren't available? That could be a different problem I don't know about.

 

Nope, as you can see in the above screenshot, no recovery keys listed for Windows 10 Mobile and other than physically trying to access the data on a locked phone, there doesn't appear to be a way to tell if the device storage is actually encrypted or not other than the toggle switch to switch it on /off.

 

You may be right but I don't have a phone to test. In any case this thread was about PC (specifically Windows 10 home not Pro) device encryption which can be used by some devices with only 10 home (but with TPM, UEFI etc) that would not normally be eligible to use bitlocker.

There are others with MS phones here - you could ask in another thread perhaps.

 

I read the article, how can it be done with Windows 10 home? It still wasn't clear enough for me. I didn't think Bitlocker could be enabled on windows 10 home.

What I worry about encryption is Image backups, restores, partitioning and multi-boot systems, these make it harder to use Bitlocker or encryption program. Another things that would be an issue, I don't have a system reserve partition, so I would need to do a clean install of windows 10.

 

There are 2 different things here.

1. Bitlocker. You need 7 Enterprise or Ultimate or later. There are no hardware restrictions to speak of (only your MB must be able to recognize USB). You get better functionality if your system supports TPM. It is included in 8 Pro and 10 Pro (and Enterprise and Education).

2. Secure Devices. This uses a cut down bitlocker for home users where the hardware requirements are somewhat higher. You need a device with fixed storage, TPM, UEFI and secure boot. At the end though it is the same system (although more limited) as normal bitlocker that doesn't have these requirements. Phones fall into this category but I don't know about that, sorry.

Partitioning is irrelevant. I use bitlocker on my system C: drive, I have other partitions for other OS that are not encrypted or in the case of OSX encrypted with a different system (Firevault).

Backups - You need to think about this. Macrium copes with bitlocker. Standard MS recovery doesn't (although you can make a PE image and add bitlocker support).

Easiest way, yes. Bitlocker does require an unencrypted partition. If you are booting legacy BIOS system with only one C: partition you would have to make another for boot files to be on.

 

It is about Device Encryption on Windows devices. That makes it relevant.

Anyway, just for you...
Does Device Encryption Work on Windows 10 Mobile