Bitlocker on Windows 10 "Home" version?

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  1. Posts : 565
    Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
       #1

    Bitlocker on Windows 10 "Home" version?


    Laptop is a DELL Inspiron 15-3576 bought new on 19th Nov. 2018. It has Windows 10 Home (64-bit) OS installed on a 256GB SK Hynix SC311 SATA SSD.
    I am surprised to find Bitlocker installed because I did not think it was installed on “Home” versions of Windows 10. I thought it was only installed in the “Pro” version. It seems to be turned ON (because there is a grey button showing “Turn Off”) but not yet encrypted. See pictures. I do not intend to complete the encryption since I am using a Local account and am not interested in using a Microsoft account.
    I know that Bitlocker requires the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) which is a special chip (on the motherboard?) so I can only assume that my machine has this TPM chip and Windows 10 must have ‘seen’ this chip and ‘thinks’ my OS is the ‘Pro’ edition of Windows 10.
    It may be that if I were to create a Microsoft account and proceed with encryption then it may recognize that I have the “Home” version and the encryption would fail at some stage of the process.

    Q1 - Is my Windows 10 “Home” machine unusual in having Bitlocker?
    Q2 - Will it be OK for me to click on the “Turn OFF” button?

    Thanks in advance.
    Bitlocker on Windows 10 "Home" version?-dell-bitlocker.pngBitlocker on Windows 10 "Home" version?-dell-os.png
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  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Could be a peculiarity with that machine of some sort... see:
    https://www.dell.com/community/Inspi...r/td-p/6084041

    which sounds odd. Best ask Dell- is it still in warranty?

    More on TPM chip:
    https://www.dell.com/community/Inspi...t/td-p/6185119
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  3. Posts : 565
    Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thank you. The warranty has expired. I did find the last post in your second link interesting. Here is an extract: -

    "Some Dell laptops will be equipped with the Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT). This technology is part of the Intel System on Chip (SoC) and is a firmware-based TPM version 2.0 which can function in the same capacity as the discrete TPM 1.2 chip. PTT can be managed in the same capacity as the discrete TPM by Windows TPM.MSC.

    In the case of systems equipped with the Intel PTT, there will be no option listed for TPM in the BIOS which might lead to confusion on how to enable BitLocker on the system if PTT is disabled. Instead, an option for PTT Security will show under the Security settings menu in the BIOS.
    " .

    I do remember running Dell SupportAssist which did update the BIOS but I did not check what changes were made by the update (who does?). I checked the BIOS and there is indeed "PTT Security" which is 'ON'. Other options are a) "Clear" and b) "PPI Bypass for Clear Command". Maybe the BIOS update caused this "PTT Security" to appear but what do I do? Do I leave things as they are or do I select a) or b)?
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  4. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Hi, as I recall, the conclusiong in the link I cited was that your PC does not have a TPM chip.

    Try:
    How to Check If Your Computer Has a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Chip

    But that leaves the other possibility you mention... perhaps only Dell can tell you about that.

    More here: PTT is mentioned in comments following, starting with #1
    Verify Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Chip on Windows PC
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  5. Posts : 565
    Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I have run tpm.msc and the picture shows the result - TPM is installed but I do not want bitlocker. I assume it will only take one single action to deactivate Bitlocker but which action should I take?
    Q1 - Do I simply "Turn Off" Device encryption in "Update & Security" window, or
    Q2 - Do I "Clear TPM" (on right hand side "Actions" pane shown in picture), or
    Q3 - Do I enter BIOS and select "Clear" in PTT Security, or
    Q4 - Do choose the "PPI Bypass for Clear Command"?

    Such a simple objective but which way to achieve it.
    Bitlocker on Windows 10 "Home" version?-tpm-installed.png
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    I's afraid I can only quote the tutorials which probably don't address your scenario- I've not used Bitlocker.. hopefully someone who has will comment.
    Turn On or Off BitLocker for Fixed Data Drives in Windows 10

    Turn On or Off BitLocker for Operating System Drive in Windows 10
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  7. Posts : 525
    Windows 10
       #7

    Create a backup system image, turn off device encryption. Operation of the TPM is transparent to the user, leave it alone.
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  8. Posts : 264
    Windows 10
       #8

    There are not "exactly" the same.... However, technically, it looks like they actually are...

    Why Does Microsoft Charge $100 for Encryption When Everyone Else Gives It Away?
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  9. Posts : 565
    Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    For now I have clicked on "Turn Off" Device encryption in "Update & Security" window and "Encryption" is now OFF so the immediate problem is sorted.
    I still have TPM and "Device Encryption" Bitlocker on my Windows 10 "Home" computer but at least they are not active so I don't expect any problems from them.
    Maybe some expert on Bitlocker can tell me why I have Bitlocker on my Win 10 "Home" computer when it is not supposed to be there? At this point it is academic but it is annoying.

    Thanks for your help. I'll call this "Solved" now.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 264
    Windows 10
       #10

    wiganken said:
    For now I have clicked on "Turn Off" Device encryption in "Update & Security" window and "Encryption" is now OFF so the immediate problem is sorted.
    I still have TPM and "Device Encryption" Bitlocker on my Windows 10 "Home" computer but at least they are not active so I don't expect any problems from them.
    Maybe some expert on Bitlocker can tell me why I have Bitlocker on my Win 10 "Home" computer when it is not supposed to be there? At this point it is academic but it is annoying.

    Thanks for your help. I'll call this "Solved" now.
    Read the links. It´s not actually bitlocker. It uses bitlocker. It actually started with Windows 8 and some OEM tablets.
      My Computer


 

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