One of the advantages of Windows 7 and now Windows 8, is the ability to encrypt whole drives using BitLocker or BitLocker To Go. First of all, what is BitLocker?

• BitLocker provides disk drive encryption. When enabled BitLocker encrypts the entire disk. When adding new files to the disk those are immediately encrypted as well
• BitLocker can do this to both system and non-system drives
• BitLocker protects vital Windows system files during boot-up.
• BitLocker works with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security hardware, which is provided in some modern PCs
• When copying or moving files off of a BitLocker protected drive they are automatically decrypted

Alas, none of my PCs have a TPM, so one might think that this is a no-go option.

But, no – you can actually enable BitLocker on Windows 8, even on PCs without a TPM

In order to do this follow these few steps;

• Make sure you are logged on as an administrator
• Hit the Windows key and type gpedit.msc

• Hit enter and the Local Group Policy Editor comes up;