Windows 11 PIN and Bitlocker

Frozen_up_north

TELLIT01 said:

I've used PCs at home for at least the last 30 years and never felt the need to have the machines password protected, let alone have something like BitLocker. 

If you had arrived home to find your house broken into and all your computers/laptops stolen, you would think differently. A friend had just that happen after a weekend away. He was worried about letters, passwords, etc. that were on the computer disks.

Modern computers have a bad habit of saving backups, temporary files and other "clutter" that are a source of interesting information to anyone handling a stolen computer. A relative was given an ex business laptop when the business upgraded and was told it had been professionally cleared of all the company data... it still had letters, account details, invoices, etc. all in clear for anyone to view!

It doesn't matter to me if you leave your computer open to anyone who may steal it, but given that even Windows 11 Home includes free encryption to secure your documents folder (Pro encrypts the entire disk/SSD), and that encryption is enabled by default, it is foolish to bypass it.

Olinda99

go to settings - privacy and security - device encryption and turn it off

TELLIT01

It's not that the security bothers me particularly.  It's having to enter a 48 digit multiple times when the laptop hasn't been used for a while.  It's permanently plugged in so it's definitely not a battery issue.

Frozen_up_north

TELLIT01 said:

It's not that the security bothers me particularly.  It's having to enter a 48 digit multiple times when the laptop hasn't been used for a while.  It's permanently plugged in so it's definitely not a battery issue.

Any change to the BIOS can be detected as tampering and need the recovery key entering. It sounds likely that the coin cell on the motherboard is low Voltage, they typically last around 4 or 5 years.

flaneurs_lobster

TELLIT01 said:

It's not that the security bothers me particularly.  It's having to enter a 48 digit multiple times when the laptop hasn't been used for a while.  It's permanently plugged in so it's definitely not a battery issue.

So turn off encryption then you won't be asked for the key.

Vitor

TELLIT01 said:

It's not that the security bothers me particularly.  It's having to enter a 48 digit multiple times when the laptop hasn't been used for a while.  It's permanently plugged in so it's definitely not a battery issue.

Did you 'force' Windows 11 to install even though the hardware wasn't supported using the hacks that are on the internet? Sounds like the TPM chip is missing/faulty.

TELLIT01

Vitor said:

TELLIT01 said:

It's not that the security bothers me particularly.  It's having to enter a 48 digit multiple times when the laptop hasn't been used for a while.  It's permanently plugged in so it's definitely not a battery issue.

Did you 'force' Windows 11 to install even though the hardware wasn't supported using the hacks that are on the internet? Sounds like the TPM chip is missing/faulty.

No the install was onto a brand new Dell machine.  Windows 11 was the operating system which came with it.  If there had been an option during the install I wouldn't have chosen Windows 11! :-)