BitLocker, the encryption characteristic enabled by default in Home windows 11 Professional, was discovered to trigger SSD laborious drive efficiency to lower by 45%.
Know-how web page Tom’s {Hardware} mentioned that BitLocker solely causes lowered learn and write efficiency on Home windows 11 Professional, whereas the Residence model will not be affected.
BitLocker is a software-based laborious drive encryption characteristic that Microsoft has built-in into Home windows since 2007. When lively, it requires the processor to constantly encrypt and decrypt knowledge on the SSD throughout all writes and skim.
At present, most SSDs already help hardware-based encryption, by which the encryption and decryption course of are dealt with straight by the SSD. Nevertheless, Home windows 11 Professional nonetheless permits BitLocker’s software-based encryption throughout the set up course of with out giving customers the choice to bypass it. This causes system efficiency to be affected.

A laptop computer working Home windows 11. Photograph: Cnet
Theo PCWorld, Microsoft enabled BitLocker itself as a result of the corporate doesn’t have full management over the hardware-based encryption code, which is managed by the SSD producer. Beforehand, a severe encryption-related vulnerability appeared in some SSDs, so the corporate appears to desire to rely by itself resolution.
Microsoft has not but commented.
If you’re utilizing Home windows 11 Professional, customers can see if the SSD is working slower by opening Command Immediate with administrative rights, then coming into the command manage-bde -status. This command will begin the BitLocker Drive Encryption: Configuration Device to assist analyze the drives at present on the pc.
Within the Conversion Standing part, customers verify whether or not the SSD drive is being encrypted or not by the Encryption Technique part. If displayed XTS-AES is software program encrypted, {Hardware} Encryption if {hardware} encrypted and Absolutely Decrypted will not be encrypted.
If you’re positive the info doesn’t want encryption, the consumer can enter the command line manage-bde -off C: the place C is the drive containing the info that must be encrypted. After restarting the pc, the adjustments will take impact instantly.
Nevertheless, specialists say that earlier than disabling laborious drive encryption, it’s essential to query its necessity. The truth is, the BitLocker characteristic is helpful for laptop computer customers on the subject of higher knowledge safety, particularly for machines offered by corporations or individuals who ceaselessly transfer, in addition to backing up and restoring encrypted knowledge. chemistry.
Home windows 11 was launched by Microsoft in June 2021. The platform has many enhancements in each interface and options, together with a redesign of the Begin Menu, the addition of widgets, Android app help, efficiency enhancements and updates to enhance multitasking.
Bao Lam (theo PCWorld)
