Turn On Device Encryption In Windows 10 Home Edition

A reader recently asked us if the Device encryption feature present in Windows 10 Home edition as well. In this guide, we will discuss if the Device encryption is available in Windows 10 Home, how to check if your computer supports the Device encryption feature and how to turn on Device encryption.

Device encryption feature help protect data on your Windows 10 computer. If you turn on device encryption, only authorized people can access the data on your computer. It stops malicious users from accessing system files and accessing your drive by connecting it a different computer. The Device encryption feature protects the drive where Windows 10 is installed and other fixed drives on the computer using AES 128-bit encryption.

Is Device encryption available on Windows 10 Home edition?

The Device encryption feature is present in all editions of Windows 10 (version 1511 and later), including the Home edition. In simple words, you can encrypt your files even if you are on Windows 10 Home edition.

However, the Device encryption feature is not available on all computers as many computers don’t meet the minimum hardware requirements for the same (scroll down the page to see how to check if your PC supports Device encryption). Here are the hardware requirements for Device encryption:

* TPM enabled computer

* UEFI enabled computer

* Computer must support connected standby

Besides the stringent hardware requirements, you must be using a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 10 in order to turn on and use the Device encryption. When you sign in with a Microsoft account on a PC meeting hardware requirements, Device encryption is automatically enabled. You can check the same by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > Device encryption.

Are BitLocker encryption and Device encryption same?

Well, BitLocker encryption and Device encryption are two encryption features available in Windows 10. While the BitLocker is present only in Pro and Enterprise editions, the Device encryption is available in all editions provided that your computer supports the feature. The BitLocker is an advanced and more secure encryption when compared to Device encryption.

Check if your PC supports device encryption

Note that your PC might support BitLocker encryption feature even if your PC doesn’t support the Device encryption feature. However, BitLocker encryption exist in Professional and Enterprise editions of Windows 10 only. So, Home users cannot use BitLocker encryption.

Step 1: Type System Information in the taskbar search field, right-click on System Information entry and then click Run as administrator option.

Click on the Yes button when you get the User Account Control screen.

Step 2: Select System Summery in the left-pane. On the right-side, look for Device Encryption Support entry.

Step 3: If the Device Encryption Support value says Meets prerequisites, then your computer supports Device Encryption. If not, your PC doesn’t support Device encryption. As you can see the picture below, my PC doesn’t support Device encryption.

Turn on or off Device encryption

Step 1: Navigate to the Settings app > Update & Security, and check if there is Device encryption page. If your computer supports Device encryption, Windows 10 will list the Device encryption page under Settings > Update & Security.

Step 2: You can turn on or off the Device encryption on the same page.

Hope you find this guide helpful!