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BitLocker encryption

Windows 11 26H2: Expected features, platform changes, and potential release schedule
Winsage
January 28, 2026

Windows 11 26H2: Expected features, platform changes, and potential release schedule

Windows 11 follows an annual feature update schedule, with the 26H2 update expected to launch in late 2026. This update will be the next major version after 25H2 and will continue to use the Germanium platform. It may function as an enablement package, activating existing features rather than introducing new ones. Anticipated features include increased AI capabilities in applications like Paint and Notepad, refined dark mode options, a revamped Run dialogue box, an AI-powered search feature, and the Xbox Full Screen experience. The build number will increase to 26300. The 26H2 update is projected for a September or October release in 2026.
Windows 11's growth has officially hit a brick wall — and users appear to be fleeing back to Windows 10
Winsage
January 27, 2026

Windows 11’s growth has officially hit a brick wall — and users appear to be fleeing back to Windows 10

Windows 11's global desktop market share declined from 55.18% in October 2025 to 50.73% by December 2025. The operating system faced technical issues, including a problematic Patch Tuesday that affected users' ability to run applications and shut down devices. Microsoft's decision to allow the FBI access to BitLocker encryption keys has eroded user trust. Additionally, increasing advertisements and a push towards AI integration have led to dissatisfaction among users. Complaints about Windows 11 have spread from niche forums to mainstream channels, with critics noting a disconnect between new hardware capabilities and the operating system's performance.
Windows 11 Home vs. Windows 11 Pro: I compared both versions, and this one's best for your PC
Winsage
January 20, 2026

Windows 11 Home vs. Windows 11 Pro: I compared both versions, and this one’s best for your PC

Windows 11 is approaching its fifth anniversary since launch, featuring significant changes while retaining core functionalities from Windows 10. Key updates include a refreshed visual design, improved system performance, support for Android applications, and the introduction of AI-powered Copilot. Microsoft offers a Pro version for power users, providing advanced tools, deeper control over system settings, and enhanced security options. Windows 11 Home includes features like Windows Hello, Device Encryption, Windows Defender Antivirus, Firewall, SmartScreen, Family Safety, and support for Android apps. It is suitable for average users and those on a budget, as it is free for upgrades from compatible Windows 10 devices and comes preinstalled on new PCs. Windows 11 Pro includes additional features such as BitLocker Drive Encryption, Credential Guard, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and full Remote Desktop hosting. It is ideal for users needing greater control over their system and those who rely on virtualization tools. Windows 11 Home is free for users upgrading from Windows 10, while Windows 11 Pro costs approximately 9 for a full license or for an upgrade from Home.
Windows 11 Pro is down to $9.97 (if you’re still running Windows 10)
Winsage
January 4, 2026

Windows 11 Pro is down to $9.97 (if you’re still running Windows 10)

As of October 2025, Microsoft has ceased support for Windows 10, meaning users will no longer receive security updates or bug fixes. Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, reduced from .99, offering users an opportunity to upgrade without new hardware. The new operating system features a refined interface, enhanced voice typing, advanced desktop management, and robust security measures such as TPM 2.0 and biometric sign-in options. Windows 11 Pro also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate for improved gaming performance and includes features like BitLocker encryption and Windows Sandbox for professionals. Transitioning to Windows 11 Pro is essential for maintaining system integrity and security after the end of Windows 10 support.
Windows Registry Tweak Unlocks 80% SSD Speed Boost on Consumer PCs
Winsage
January 1, 2026

Windows Registry Tweak Unlocks 80% SSD Speed Boost on Consumer PCs

A modification in the Windows Registry can enable a native NVMe driver, potentially doubling the performance of solid-state drives (SSDs) by enhancing random read and write speeds by up to 80%. This driver is typically reserved for enterprise environments and is not officially available for consumer versions of Windows 11. The modification carries risks, including the possibility of rendering a system unbootable and disrupting features like BitLocker encryption. Early adopters have reported mixed results, with some experiencing significant performance improvements while others face stability issues. The tweak highlights the disparity between consumer and enterprise hardware capabilities and reflects ongoing discussions within the tech community about optimizing SSD performance.
SSDs on some Windows machines with BitLocker enabled are about twice as fast thanks to BitLocker hardware acceleration.
Winsage
December 26, 2025

SSDs on some Windows machines with BitLocker enabled are about twice as fast thanks to BitLocker hardware acceleration.

Windows 11 Pro has introduced a hardware-accelerated version of BitLocker, enhancing storage encryption without compromising performance. This update allows compatible devices to maintain storage read and write speeds similar to when BitLocker is disabled. The hardware-accelerated BitLocker utilizes the encryption processor in the System on Chip (SoC) to streamline encryption and decryption processes. It is available on devices with a supported built-in encryption processor and uses the XTS-AES-256 encryption algorithm. Users can check if hardware BitLocker is enabled by executing the command manage-bde -status in the command prompt. Performance metrics indicate that CPU cycles during storage access remain consistent with machines that have BitLocker disabled, and benchmarks show that hardware BitLocker can double sequential read and random write speeds. The integration of the XTS-AES-256 encryption processor into Intel's upcoming third-generation Core Ultra processor, Panther Lake, suggests future advancements for hardware-accelerated BitLocker.
Microsoft's Hardware-Accelerated BitLocker Brings Massive Performance Gains
Winsage
December 25, 2025

Microsoft’s Hardware-Accelerated BitLocker Brings Massive Performance Gains

Microsoft has introduced a hardware-accelerated BitLocker encryption system for Windows 11, which shifts the encryption workload from software to dedicated accelerator units in future CPU microarchitectures. This new system is available in Windows 11 version 25H2 and Windows Server 2025 following the September update. Initial testing shows that certain workloads can achieve double the storage performance and reduce CPU usage by over 70%. The encryption processing is offloaded to a fixed-function cryptography engine within the system on chip (SoC), and encryption keys are hardware-wrapped for enhanced security. The initial rollout focuses on Intel vPro platforms with Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" processors, with plans to extend support to other vendors. Performance data indicates that while sequential read and write speeds are similar between software and hardware approaches, random 4K operations show significant improvements, with hardware-accelerated BitLocker being 2.3 times faster in RND4K Q32T1 tests and demonstrating a 40% speed increase for single-queue random reads and a 2.1 times speed increase for single-queue random writes.
Microsoft forced slow software-accelerated BitLocker on Windows, but will nearly double storage performance with new CPU hardware-accelerated crypto — will improve battery life also, but feature requires new CPUs that aren't available on the market yet
Winsage
December 25, 2025

Microsoft forced slow software-accelerated BitLocker on Windows, but will nearly double storage performance with new CPU hardware-accelerated crypto — will improve battery life also, but feature requires new CPUs that aren’t available on the market yet

Microsoft has introduced hardware-accelerated BitLocker encryption in Windows 11 (25H2) and Windows Server (2025 with the September Update), enhancing performance and efficiency. This feature, revealed at Ignite 2025, utilizes UFS Inline Crypto Engine technology to address performance issues associated with software-based encryption, which historically reduced SSD performance by up to 45%. The new technology can deliver up to twice the storage performance in certain workloads and is compatible with TCG Opal-compliant storage devices. Future implementations will use Intel Core Ultra series 3 CPUs with crypto offloading capabilities. Supported devices with NVMe drives will use hardware-accelerated BitLocker with the XTS-AES-256 algorithm by default, resulting in up to 70% fewer CPU cycles for BitLocker workloads and improved battery life for mobile devices. Performance tests show significant improvements, with read speeds increasing from 1632 MB/s to 3746 MB/s and write speeds from 1510 MB/s to 3530 MB/s.
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