Microsoft is relaxing the technical requirements for activating Bitlocker. Additional PCs can use the encryption function.

Microsoft added BitLocker to Windows in 2007, which means the security feature has been around since Windows Vista. You might think that the feature would be well known among Windows users by now, but ask ten random PC owners what BitLocker is for, and most of them might not be able to give you an answer.

Individual requirements

Microsoft wants to work on BitLocker’s brand awareness and will bring the feature to more PCs starting with Windows 11 24H2. It removes some requirements that were now needed to enable BitLocker, including the presence of Hardware Security Test Interface (HSTI) or Modern standby. This means that even slightly older hardware may be suitable for BitLocker.

Manufacturers have also considered giving them as little as possible to keep up with the new requirements. Windows should no longer search for untrusted files Direct memory access (DMA)interfaces, so manufacturers do not need to add specific settings to the system registry. The changes are automatically updated in the Hardware Lab Kit.

BitLocker for (almost) everyone

Relaxing the requirements for BitLocker is a first step. Now we need to make sure that all Windows users enable encryption effectively. Starting with Windows 11 24H2, BitLocker will be enabled by default on all (compatible) Windows PCs, which is already the case for new PCs. You can read how to enable BitLocker manually in our guide.

Despite the relaxed requirements, not every PC will still be suitable for BitLocker. Microsoft reserves BitLocker for the Pro, Enterprise and Education versions of Windows. The Home version for private users includes a similar feature called Device Encryption. The difference is that BitLocker uses a stronger encryption protocol.