Additional Encryption Resources
BitLocker Resources
General Information
How-To's and In Depth Guides
Errors and Troubleshooting
Downloads and Tools
FileVault Resources
General Information
How-To's and In-Depth Guides
Errors and Troubleshooting
3rd Party Products
BitLocker General Information
- Microsoft TechNet site on BitLocker - This is Microsoft's main directory of information pertaining to BitLocker, encryption, and TPM hardware.
- Microsoft's Executive Overview of BitLocker Drive Encryption - An introduction to BitLocker that focuses on the data protection features, threat of stolen laptops, and a run down of various laws and regulations which require data encryption.
- Microsoft's Technical Overview of BitLocker Drive Encryption - An introduction to the technology behind BitLocker.
- Microsoft's Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Administration Technical Overview - A guide to administering TPM hardware as well as a more technical look into the TPM.
- Identity and Access Control - Microsoft's central repository for links and information on topics like BitLocker, TPM, Encrypted File System, and rights management.
- Windows Vista Security Guide: Chapter 3: Protect Sensitive Data - Chapter three from Microsoft's Windows Vista Security Guide.
- Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs
- Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs Executive Overview - A look at the growing business and regulatory risks of storing data on mobile devices and how the encryption toolkit can help mitigate those risks.
- The Planning and Implementation Guide -Beta
- The Microsoft Encrypting File System Assistant -Beta
- Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs - Security Analysis - This has analysis of using MS products EFS and BitLocker to protect data on mobile devices, including risks, concepts and strategies. It has a good explanation which attacks BitLocker can protect from and which it can’t. There is an excellent comparison of security risk/benefits of each of the BitLocker authentication options.
- Expert Zone Support WebCast: Overview of security features in Microsoft Windows Vista
- How to Use BitLocker Recovery Passwords - A good overview of the BitLocker recovery password
- BitLocker and TPM WMI Providers
- BitLocker Drive Encryption and Disk Sanitation
- BitLocker Drive Encryption
- Protecting Data with BitLocker - Keys to protecting data using BitLocker
- Tech-ED Presentation on BitLocker
BitLocker How-To's and In Depth Guides
- BitLocker Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) - Microsoft's collection of Frequently asked questions pertaining to BitLocker.
- Microsoft's Guide to Active Directory and BitLocker/TPM Interaction - A guide to how BitLocker integrates with Active Directory.
- How to Use the BitLocker Repair Tool - Microsoft's guide to how to use the repair tool to recover data from an encrypted volume in Windows Vista.
- BitLocker Drive Encryption Step-by-Step Guide - Microsoft's guide to install Vista and enable BitLocker. Very in-depth.
- Windows Vista TPM Services Step-by-Step Guide - Microsoft's guide to working with your TPM chip and configuring it to work with BitLocker.
- BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool - Microsoft's information on how to use the BitLocker drive preparation tool.
- Deploying BitLocker with the Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs
- Configuring Active Directory to Back up Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption and Trusted Platform Module Recovery Information
- A best practice guide on how to configure BitLocker (Part 1)
- BitLocker Command Line Interface - Use command line tools to enable BitLocker on drives other than the system drive.
- Detecting BitLocker
- Detecting BitLocker Again
- BitLocker Cryptographic Algorithm
- BitLocker Recovery Password Details
- Preboot Authentication Developers Whitepaper
- How to Encrypt Volumes in Windows Vista
BitLocker Errors and Troubleshooting
- Error message when you try to use BitLocker Drive Encryption in Windows Vista: "The drive configuration is unsuitable for BitLocker Drive Encryption -The computer BIOS must be able to detect the BitLocker USB key after hibernation.
- Error message when a Windows Vista-based computer resumes from hibernation: "BitLocker Drive Encryption key needed. Please insert key storage media. Then press ESC to reboot." - This tool is useful for domain admins or delegates to view BitLocker Recovery passwords stored in AD. The BitLocker Recovery screen provides a drive label and password ID which can be used
- You cannot start a Windows Vista-based computer by using a BitLocker key that is stored on a USB device
- Error message when you try to start a Windows Vista-based computer that is configured to use BitLocker: "The PIN has been entered incorrectly too many times"
- The BitLocker Drive Encryption feature in Windows Vista generates heavy disk activity after you restart the computer in Windows PE or in Windows RE
- You may receive a "Stop 0x0000007E" error message after you enable the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature in Windows Vista
- Error message when you try to run the BitLocker Drive Encryption program: "Cannot run"
- The BitLocker Drive Encryption program may become unresponsive on a Windows Vista Ultimate-based computer
- BitLocker Drive Encryption (BDE) enables the PagefileOnOSVolume registry setting in Windows Vista
BitLocker Downloads and Tools
- Bitlocker Drive Preparation tool- The Bitlocker Driver Preparation Tool creates a split-loader configuration when the active state, the system state and the boot state are all assigned to the same simple volume. You can use this tool to prepare the computer for BitLocker Drive Encryption. For more information, review knowledge base article 930063.
- Bitlocker Repair tool - The Bitlocker Repair tool can be used to help access encrypted data if the hard disk has been severely damaged. This tool can reconstruct critical parts of the drive and salvage recoverable data. A recovery password or recovery key is required to decrypt the data. For more information, review knowledge base article 928201.
- BitLocker Tool - Password Recovery Viewer Tool -
The BitLocker Recovery Password Viewer lets you locate and view BitLocker recovery passwords that are stored in AD DS. You can use this tool to help recover data that is stored on a volume that has been encrypted by using BitLocker. The BitLocker Recovery Password Viewer tool is an extension for the Active Directory Users and Computers MMC snap-in.
- Winhec BitLocker in the Enterprise
FileVault General Information
- FileVault Feature Overview - A general overview of Apple's disk encryption system from Apple
- FileVault Wikipedia Entry - A general overview and description of Apple's disk encryption system
FileVault How-To's and In-Depth Guides
- Encrypting Your Home Folder With FileVault - A small guide on using FileVault to encrypt your home folder
- An Unencrypted Look at FileVault - An overview and analysis of Apple's disk encryption system from O'reilly
- Unlocking FileVault [PDF] - An in depth analysis of Apple's disk encryption system
- How FileVault Should Work - A more in depth analysis of FileVault and it's flaws and what can be done about them
- How to verify or repair a home directory image
FileVault Errors and Troubleshooting
- Mac OS X 10.4: If FileVault "secure erase" is interrupted, data loss may occur - Apple article on Secure Erase
- Mac OS X: FileVault-protected Home shows less capacity than what's available on the hard disk
- Turning off FileVault - A small guide on turning off FileVault
- Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4: FileVault - Home Directory, Public folder may be unavailable
- There isn't enough space on your hard disk alert
- Increasing the size of a FileVault home directory
3rd Party Products
- PGP Corporation - A security software company that works with hard disk, file, email and various other kinds of encryption and security
- GuardianEdge - A security software company that provides encryption and data protection for multiple platforms
- Credant Technologies - A security software company that specializes in mobile device security
Back to Help Desk Encryption Support Center
Last Updated: 04/24/2008