Microsoft’s BitLocker software program encryption of for SSDs, which is activated by default in Windows 11 Pro, causes a large discount within the efficiency of storage drives. TomsHardware carried out intensive assessments of the function and found that the pace of SSDs may be lowered by as much as 45 p.c, relying on the appliance.

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

Windows 11’s builders are accountable for the issue, as a result of really many SSDs now assist hardware-based encryption, wherein all decryption and encryption processes are dealt with instantly by the SSDs. Windows 11 Pro nonetheless prompts BitLocker’s software-based encryption throughout set up with out giving the person the likelihood to stop it.

Microsoft in all probability 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. A number of years in the past, there have been incidents the place vulnerabilities have been found in {hardware} encryption code that needed to be mounted by the producers. So Microsoft appears to favor to rely by itself answer right here.

Windows 11 Home just isn’t affected as a result of it doesn’t assist BitLocker encryption.

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 operating 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 reveals 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 unravel SSD slowdowns underneath Windows 11 Pro

TomsHardware’s assessments present that customers who use purposes that put loads of pressure on the SSDs can count on a noticeable drop in SSD efficiency. Microsoft may present a normal treatment with a patch for Windows 11 Pro. It just isn’t recognized whether or not such a patch is already in growth.

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

In such a case, the thief wouldn’t be capable to entry the information on the pc with out understanding your Windows account credentials. On the opposite hand, it’s exactly these customers who’re most probably 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 might be completely certain that the information in your SSD doesn’t must be backed up in encrypted type, then software program BitLocker may be deactivated with the next command. To do that, it’s good to name up the command line with admin rights and enter:

manage-bde -off C:

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

Reinstallation crucial when switching to {hardware} BitLocker encryption

It turns into extra sophisticated if you wish to change 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 subsequent step, nonetheless, an entire reinstallation of Windows 11 Pro is critical. A number of extra issues must be taken under consideration. Detailed directions on the best way to activate {hardware} encryption underneath Windows 11 Pro, utilizing the Samsung 980 Pro for instance, may be present in this helpful blog post.

You don’t essentially have to encrypt your full drive, nonetheless, neither is BitLocker your solely choice. For extra data, 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.