Windows personal laptop encryption options
We strongly recommend using the built-in operating system full encryption tools, BitLocker, but Bitlocker is only available on Windows 7 Ultimate, and Windows 8 Professional for non-organization owned system.
However, if you're a U of U student or employee, you can obtain the Windows 8 Professional version as an upgrade for $9.95. For more information, see: http://software.utah.edu/news/microsoft-software.php (Navigate to the "Work at Home" (WAH) section)
NOTE: We plan to upgrade Windows systems at HCI to Windows 8 - which is a substantial change in the user interface - later this year, and into next year. In CATG many of us have been using Windows 8 for 9 months or longer, and can provide assistance to users making this transition.
If you are using Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 Home / Windows 7 Home Premium / Windows 7 Professional, there are other options for full disk encryption. The technology we recommend is free, and well regarded, TrueCrypt. HOWEVER, there have been instances where TrueCrypt has created problems on systems (which is why we recommend for both Macs and PCs to use the encryption technology that comes with the operating system, either FileVault2 for Macs, and Bitlocker for PCs.
Q: How do I tell what version of Windows my laptop is using?
A: Click on the Start menu - right click on Computer (or My Computer) - select Properties. You should see some information that indicates the version of Windows you are using.
If you are have a recently purchased laptop, and see a tile-format Start menu, you're probably using Windows 8, in which case you can find the Computer icon, right-click, and select Properties, and the version information will appear at the top of the opened window.
Q: So, what do I do if I don't have Windows 7 Ultimate or Windows 8 Professional? How can I enable full-disk encryption?
A: If you want to encrypt your system using TrueCrypt (not recommended), there are a lot of resources on the Internet, starting with http://truecrypt.org.
Of course, you can always contact the CATG Help Desk at x5-0330.
