Due to new GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), we have to make our drives being encrypted. BitLocker is the truely secure encryption software built-in Windows OS. However, BitLocker drive encryption feature is missing in Windows 10 Home edition, Windows 8 Home edition, Windows 7 Home edition and Windows 7 Professional edition's control panel, how to encrypt drive with BitLocker in Windows 10/8/7 Home Operating System?
With the help of M3 BitLocker Loader for Windows, we can easily create an encrypted container which is compatible with BitLocker Drive Encryption so that the hard drive, external hard drive, USB drive, flash drive, SD card, etc. is protected by BitLocker in Windows 10/8/7 Home edition and Windows 7 Professional edition.
Data protection even if power failure
M3 BitLocker Loader for Windows has a built-in unique data protection function, the encryption process can be resumed even if power failure during encryption process, so please don't worry about data loss when using M3 BitLocker Loader for Windows to encrypt the drive.
Fastly encrypt drive in Windows 7
Unlike BitLocker Drive Encryption feature built-in Windows 7, M3 BitLocker Loader for Windows only encrypts the used space on the specific drive so that the encryption process will be quicker than the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature built-in Windows 7.
Keep data security
M3 BitLocker Loader for Windows uses the encryption log to record the encryption process so that the encryption process can be rolled back even if the encryption process interrupted/failed, and then you can continue
Lock BitLocker encrypted drive without restarting Windows
Unlike Windows OS, M3 BitLocker Loader for Windows can lock BitLocker encrypted drives without restarting your Windows computer.
Notice: M3 BitLocker Loader for Windows cannot encrypt boot partition (C: drive). If you just want to protect your personal files on C: drive, for data security, please create a new partiton to store these files, read this article for the detailed instructions.
Step 1: Download, install and launch M3 BitLocker Loader for Windows on Windows 10/8/7 Home edition.
Step 2: Click Encrypt located at the right of the partition we want to encrypt.
Step 3: Enter the password (The password is used to encrypt the drive and unlock the BitLocker encrypted drive later, passwords should contain upper and lower case letters, numbers, spaces, and special symbols).
Step 4: Click Next and then save the recovery key (There are two options to save the recovery key: Save to a file and print the recovery key). The recovery key can also be used to unlock the BitLocker encrypted drive even if you forgot the password.
Step 5: Click Next and then start BitLocker drive encryption. The encryption process will take a long time to finish depending on the size of the drive, so please wait patiently and don't disconnect the drive if it is an external drive.
There are three solutions to unlock BitLocker encrypted drive on Windows 10/8/7 Home edition:
Solution 1: M3 BitLocker Loader for Windows
Step 1: Download, install and launch M3 BitLocker Loader for Windows on Windows 10/8/7 Home.
Step 2: Click Unlock located at the right of the BitLocker encrypted partition.
Step 3: Enter the password to unlock BitLocker encrypted drive. If you don't have the password, please click "More options" -> "Enter recovery key" -> Enter the recovery key to unlock BitLocker encrypted drive.
Solution 2: My Computer (This PC) or Disk Management
Although Windows 10/8/7 Home edition doesn't have BitLocker drive encryption feature, but Windows 10 Home can unlock and open BitLocker encrypted drive.
Step 1: Right click the BitLocker encrypted drive in My Computer (This PC) or Disk Management.
Step 2: Select Unlock from the right-click menu.
Step 3: Enter the password to unlock BitLocker encrypted drive.
If you don't have the password, please click "More options" -> click "Enter recovery key".
Enter the recovery key to unlock BitLocker encrypted drive.
Solution 3: Manage-bde Command Prompt
Step 1: Type cmd in search, right click cmd.exe from the search results and then choose "Run as administrator" from the menu.
Step 2: When Command Prompt opens, enter the command: manage-bde -unlock X: -password and press Enter (Replace X with the drive letter of your BitLocker encrypted drive).
Step 3: Enter the password to unlock BitLocker encrypted volume.
From MIT KB
As a BitLocker To Go utility for Mac, M3 BitLocker Loader for Mac is recommended by IS &T staff members in Knowledge Base of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Learn more >>
From Softonic
M3 Mac BitLocker Loader is a tool that can be used on the Mac to treat (primarily) Windows systems that have been encrypted with BitLocker are only intended to be decrypted and viewed on Windows systems but M3 Mac BitLocker Loader's purpose is to let you view the file system of these computers and access it without encryption getting in the way. You can also copy files to the encrypted drive and it'll still be encrypted when you're done! Learn more >>
Supported storage devices
external hard drive, hard drive, USB drive, flash drive, SD card, CF card, MicroSD card, memory card, CF card, SanDisk card, memory stick, USB stick, thumb drive and other storage device.
System Requirements
Supported OS: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012.
Supported file systems: NTFS, FAT32, exFAT
Add your review
Michael
2020-12-04 05:47:14
I MANAGE TO HAVE THE DISK ENCRYPTED BUT UNFORTUNATELY, HOW DO YOU RELOCK THE DRIVE ?
Hash
2020-07-26 16:13:38
Seems like a great company. I bought the program. They deliver the right product, does what its expected to do and bug free. They even describe what possibility you have if you don't use their software.
seaquark
2020-05-26 13:42:11
Initial reaction is mixed at best. While the app appears to be working on encrypting my data on a 250GB external drive, there is no way to determine how much has been encrypted and how much is left to encrypt. The interface is marginal at best. If PC resolution does not fit the app desires, the readout is cropped, so you need to guess what is being shown. While the app is simple to use, it is not a user friendly interface. I have no idea on how long I must keep encrypting my external drive and what happens if I stop the process.
Vasile
2019-11-18 11:52:51
A friend uses it and he is fully satisfied.I would like to give it a try with trial version
McGee
2019-06-20 22:06:15
Worked out like a dream! Awesome!