Is Bitlocker forced enabled by default with windows 11 24h2 update

Question

ok so i will cut to the chase.

over the past few weeks i have seen articles and people on social stating that with the windows 11 24h2 update.

that when we install it.

on the out of box experience that it will forcibly enable Bitlocker by default.

so my question is simply this.

Is that true.

the reason i ask is because i have never ever used Bitlocker in the entire time that i have had desktop computers. nor will i ever use Bitlocker.

I'm really hoping that it isnt going to be forced on us by Microsoft. as by rights it should be as it has always been for us.

and that is simply put an optional feature that we ourselves can turn on or off ourselves.

Answer 1

Welp. It is now a problem for me as I got forcefully locked out in the middle of my goddamn lecture. And I can't access the key as well through the website cuz my acc is linked to my old phone number it seems. And it's Tring to send a code there. And I can't factory reset my laptop as well. It's not letting me do so.

Answer 2

Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

Before the 24H2 update, Bitlocker was not available in the home edition, but in that update Microsoft are relaxing the restrictions and Bitlocker will be available in the Home edition.

1

If you update to 24H2 in the Settings app using the usual method:

If you log into Windows 11 with a Microsoft Account, Bitlocker will be enabled automatically.

If you log into Windows 11 with a local account, Bitlocker will not be automatically enabled.

2

If you clean install Widows 11 version 24H2 using a bootable USB, Bitlocker will automatically be enabled.

3

If Bitlocker does get automatically enabled, you can turn off Bitlocker encryption from the encryption section in the Settings app.

Answer 3

Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

Before the 24H2 update, Bitlocker was not available in the home edition, but in that update Microsoft are relaxing the restrictions and Bitlocker will be available in the Home edition.

1
If you update to 24H2 in the Settings app using the usual method:

If you log into Windows 11 with a Microsoft Account, Bitlocker will be enabled automatically.

If you log into Windows 11 with a local account, Bitlocker will not be automatically enabled.

2
If you clean install Widows 11 version 24H2 using a bootable USB, Bitlocker will automatically be enabled.

3
If Bitlocker does get automatically enabled, you can turn off Bitlocker encryption from the encryption section in the Settings app.

that was not my question was.. as i do not use bitlocker and have never used it. will the new 24h2 update automatically enable it without me saying yes or no.

no offence but as it is an update it should not do force people whom have never used bitlocker to have it enable automatically. again do you understand what i am saying.

i have never used bitlocker so if it auto enables. and i do not have a key for it which you need in order to access the desktop itself. then you aka microsoft are bricking peoples desktop computers by force.

IT SHOULD BE OPTIONAL THAT WE OURSELVES ENABLE LIKE WE ALWAYS HAVE DONE.

it is wrong to force this on people that have never used bitlocker.

Answer 4

estentially you would be locking people from their computer that do not have any encryption keys period.

do you see where therein the problem is that i am trying to point out to you and the rest of microsoft.

you will be responsible for preventing people from logging in and accessing their desktop computers..

again i state.

it should be optional. not forced onto people like what you and microsoft are planning to do with 24h2.

Answer 5

It depends if you are talking about Windows 11 Pro (BitLocker) or Windows 11 Home (Device encryption)

They are both termed as BitLocker when you require the recovery key but act differently.

BitLocker drive encryption in Windows 11 for OEMs | Microsoft Learn

So far as I can tell it will be part of the OOBE and enabled during setup. So setup of Windows 11 during a clean install (or a new device) may well enable encryption as part of 24H2. I don't believe it will be enabled after an update. As, like you say there is a danger of it requiring the recovery key after the update.

If you find it is turned on then turn it off. When initiated during the OOBE the recovery key is saved to the Microsoft account used during setup.

If you have a link from a reliable source (not social media) that seems to suggest differently then please post it.