I previously encrypted my computer drives with a BitLocker 30-character password to ensure password security. But it is too long to remember, which frustrates me a lot. However, I recently learned that I can use a short PIN for BitLocker drive encryption. Then I am curious about the differences between a PIN and a regular password. Is PIN code safe enough? And how can I set up a Windows 11 BitLocker PIN to protect my drive? I can't wait to try it.
PIN BitLocker in Windows 11 and BitLocker password are two totally different things, because their protection mechanism is not the same. Following I will answer your questions in detail. And this guide is prepared for novice BitLocker PIN beginners just like you.
PIN (Personal Identification Number) is normally used in our daily life, such as ATM transactions and Windows login authentication, and so on. It’s used to prevent unauthorized access for BitLocker-protected drive.
The default length of the PIN code is 6 characters, but you can reduce it to a minimum length of 4 characters. Someone may doubt PIN’s security as it seems so simple. This leads us to the role of the TPM. Use BitLocker with PIN is often combined with TPM, which makes it even more secure than using a password alone.
To make it clear, when you’re prompted to enter a BitLocker PIN, even if you only enter “1234”, the TPM will use its own encryption algorithm to generate a complex unique key for BitLocker verification. Therefore, enabling the TPM BitLocker protection mode is necessary before setting up the PIN.
The distinction of these two lies in the more flexibility and the added security benefits of PIN. PIN is bound to the hardware device with TPM. Accordingly, if the motherboard is replaced, the BitLocker authentication will fail to pass. And differ from the password saved on the hard drive, the PIN is safely stored in the TPM chip.
For many Windows 11 users, who already has TPM installed, may find that the system auto skip the process to set a BitLocker PIN. So we need to configure the Group Policy first.
Step 1 Press Win + R, and then type “gpedit.msc” in the run dialog, press enter.
Step 2 In Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption.
Step 3 Enter into Operating System drive, and then double-click on “Require additional authentication at startup”.
Step 4 Set it to Enabled, and check whether the four options below is “allow” to avoid Group Polic Error when Enable BitLocker.
Step 5 Double-click on "Configure minimum PIN length for startup", and set it to Enabled. You can also adjust minimum PIN length here.
Step 6 Type “Manage BitLocker” in the Windows search box, and press Enter.
Step 7 Click on “Turn on BitLocker” option besides the C drive, now you can set a BitLocker Pin for enhanced security.
Step 8 Run an elevated command prompt, execute the following command to check if there is an TPM and PIN key protector:
manage-bde -status
After enabled, to find out if BitLocker PIN is enabled, you need to reboot your computer, and confirm that you’re prompted to enter your PIN to unlock drive before enter into the system.
Tips: You can also create BitLocker PIN with Command.
Once you aim to change your BitLocker PIN, you can change it when needed:
Step 1 Open Command Prompt as an Administrator(link), and execute the following command:
manage-bde -changepin c:
# c is the letter of encrypted drive, replace it for your own
Step 2 Type the New BitLocker Pin, and reenter to confirm it, then press enter. Now your pin has been successfully updated.
Tips: Change BitLocker PIN with Settings, by going back to BitLocker Control panel, locate the “Change Pin” option there.
TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is an important part of BitLocker encryption and one of the BitLocker password protection methods.
Lydia
Sure, Windows allows us to encrypt the operating system drive on devices without TPM supported.
Benjamin
My pleasure to assist you. BitLocker offers multiple password protection methods for different scenarios. The BitLocker password is a solid barrier to BitLocker security.
Lydia
Yes, you can defragment a BitLocker encrypted drive after you unlock it. Fragments may appear on the disk when we add or delete files. When fragments accumulate to a certain extent, the disk's access speed decreases significantly.
Benjamin
