Overview of BitLocker with Windows 7

Microsoft has offers BitLocker To Go with Windows 7. Bitlocker To Go extends BitLocker drive encryption to USB storage devices, enabling them to be restricted with a password. Many people have been asking for this feature since Windows XP when USB storage devices began to become more popular. In addition to having control over password length and complexity, IT administrators can make a policy that requires users to apply BitLocker protection to removable drives before being able to write to them.

BitLocker To Go also enables users to more securely communicate data with users who have not yet deployed Windows 7. Microsoft currently allows Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista SP1 users to read BitLocker To Go devices using the password. If you connect a bitlocker enabled USB storage device into Windows 2000 or Windows XP SP2 you will simply see the device as a non-formatted device and will be unable to read the data.

BitLocker protection can be used for fixed or removable storage drives. A fixed drive is a device that is permanently fixed and cannot remove frequently from the computer. There are data drives SCSI and ATA are example of fixed storage device. Removable data drives can be removed without rebooting the system. USB drives and memory cards are examples of removable data drives. BitLocket uses encryption keys that are derived from the operating environment. These keys can be a password or smart card.
BitLocker was came with Windows Vista (the previous Operating system of Windows) but it was not much liked by users because of its complicated procedure to use, while Windows 7 BitLocker is quite easy and straight-forward. It provides a covering security to the users' files. It can be used not only to protect files on computer disks but also to secure data by encrypting files on removable devices like SD Cards, Pen drives, etc; so in case of theft or lost, your data is not in the hands of strangers.

You can encrypt your files using BitLocker within minutes. Open My Computer and Right-click on the drive that you want to encrypt. Select Turn on BitLocker. Once BitLocker has initialized the flash drive, you will be prompted to enter a password. This password will be required later in order to unlock the drive. You also have a choice set up a Smartcard.

After that you will need to store the recovery key which can be used in the event of forgetting your password or losing your smartcard. In case, you store it as a file, ensure that you do not save it on the drive you are encrypting.
You will get a confirmation message after which your system will be ready to start encrypting the drive. You simply need to click the Start Encrypting button. Progress screen will be displayed on screen till the process goes on.

Although Microsoft has truly enhanced BitLocker, the main problem with this security application is its restricted reach. BitLocker is only included in two out of the six Windows 7 versions. Only those two versions will be able to encrypt drives and portable devices, although decryption can be done in any of the edition. Overall, it is a very helpful application that will benefit thousands of users.
Note: With a BitLocker encrypted drive you will only be able to read and copy files on a non Windows 7 system. If you need to add files or change them you will need to use a Windows 7 .