Microsoft’s BitLocker software program encryption of for SSDs, which is activated by default in Windows 11 Pro, causes an enormous discount within the efficiency of storage drives. TomsHardware performed in depth exams of the function and found that the velocity of SSDs will be lowered by as much as 45 %, relying on the applying.

That’s as a result of with software-based BitLocker encryption, the processor is continually busy encrypting and decrypting the information on the SSD throughout all write and skim processes, which has an influence on the efficiency of the system.

Many SSDs now assist hardware-based encryption, through which all decryption and encryption processes are dealt with straight by the SSDs. Windows 11 Pro nonetheless prompts BitLocker’s software-based encryption throughout set up with out providing you with the flexibility to stop it.

Microsoft most likely determined to do that as a result of it doesn’t have full management over the code for hardware-based encryption, as that’s managed by the SSD producers. Some time again, there have been incidents the place vulnerabilities had been found in SSD {hardware} encryption code that needed to be fastened by the producers. So Microsoft appears to choose to rely by itself resolution right here.

Windows 11 Home just isn’t affected as a result of it doesn’t assist BitLocker encryption. That’s a disgrace, as a result of Windows 11 won’t be fully secure until everyone has BitLocker encryption — although as this “problem” exhibits, the specifics matter.

Further studying: How to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro (and why you’d want to)

How to search out out in case your SSD is working slower

To discover out in case your SSDs are affected by the issue, open the Windows 11 Pro command line with admin rights and enter the command

manage-bde -status

This will begin the “BitLocker Drive Encryption: Configuration Tool,” which analyses all of the drives in your laptop.

Under “Conversion Status,” you’ll find out whether or not the information on the SSD is encrypted. Under “Encryption Method,” Windows 11 Pro exhibits whether or not software program encryption (“XTS-AES”) or {hardware} encryption (“Hardware Encryption”) is used.

If “XTS-AES” is displayed right here, BitLocker software program encryption is used. If “Fully decrypted” is displayed underneath Conversion standing, BitLocker is switched off on the pc.

How to resolve SSD slowdowns underneath Windows 11 Pro

TomsHardware’s exams present that customers who use functions that put a number of pressure on the SSDs can anticipate a noticeable drop in SSD efficiency. Microsoft might present a normal treatment with a patch for Windows 11 Pro. It just isn’t identified whether or not such a patch is already in improvement.

If that bothers you, first ask your self whether or not you wants BitLocker encryption on your full drive to start with. This function is very helpful for customers who personal a pocket book supplied by an organization, are sometimes on the highway, and customarily have increased odds that your laptop computer (and its delicate knowledge) may very well be stolen.

In such a case, the thief wouldn’t have the ability to entry the information on the pc with out realizing your Windows account credentials. On the opposite hand, it’s exactly these customers who’re almost certainly to be affected by the SSD slowdown, as a result of enterprise admins typically set up Windows 11 with the default settings, and thus with the software program BitLocker activated.

Michael Crider/IDG

If you’re completely positive that the information in your SSD doesn’t must be backed up in encrypted kind, then software program BitLocker will be deactivated with the next command. To do that, you should name up the command line with admin rights and enter:

manage-bde -off C:

The “C:” should be changed by the drive letter of the encrypted drive if essential. After restarting your laptop, the change turns into lively instantly.

Reinstallation essential when switching to {hardware} BitLocker encryption

It turns into extra difficult if you wish to swap from BitLocker software program encryption to BitLocker {hardware} encryption underneath Windows 11 Pro. The first prerequisite is, in fact, that the SSD within the laptop helps this {hardware} encryption.

In the following step, nonetheless, a whole reinstallation of Windows 11 Pro is important. A number of extra issues must be taken into consideration. Detailed directions on tips on how to activate {hardware} encryption underneath Windows 11 Pro, utilizing the Samsung 980 Pro for example, will be present in this helpful blog post.

You don’t essentially have to encrypt your full drive, nonetheless, neither is BitLocker your solely possibility. For extra info, take a look at our information on how to encrypt files in Windows.

And right here you’ll find out how to switch from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro with none issues – and why you’d need to.

This article was translated from German to English and initially appeared on pcwelt.de. It initially printed on October 23 however was up to date with further info.