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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.
Microsoft rolls out hardware-accelerated BitLocker in Windows 11
Winsage
December 24, 2025

Microsoft rolls out hardware-accelerated BitLocker in Windows 11

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11 with hardware-accelerated BitLocker to improve security and performance, particularly for resource-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. BitLocker, which encrypts sensitive data, traditionally relied on the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for managing encryption keys. With advancements in NVMe storage technology, Microsoft is now using system-on-a-chip (SoC) components with hardware security modules (HSMs) and trusted execution environments (TEEs) to offload cryptographic operations, leading to improved performance and reduced CPU usage. Devices supporting NVMe drives and crypto offload-capable SoCs will automatically use hardware-accelerated BitLocker with the XTS-AES-256 algorithm. This update applies to various encryption scenarios, and hardware-accelerated BitLocker has shown a reduction in CPU cycles by approximately 70% compared to software-based versions. The new implementation also enhances security by using hardware-protected keys, minimizing the risk of cyberattacks targeting CPU and memory. The updated BitLocker feature is available with Windows 11 24H2, following the September updates, and will also be included in Windows 11 25H2. Initial support is rolling out with Intel vPro systems featuring Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, with plans to expand to other SoC vendors. Users can check their BitLocker mode by executing the command manage-bde -status. If unsupported configurations are detected, BitLocker will revert to software-based mode.
Unsupported software is the weak link in your endpoint security
Winsage
September 28, 2025

Unsupported software is the weak link in your endpoint security

Unsupported software poses a critical vulnerability for organizations, leading to potential threats and operational inefficiencies. Transitioning from unsupported platforms to secure alternatives can mitigate risks and enhance operations. Windows 11 Pro devices with Intel vPro® offer built-in security features, including hardware-backed protection and credential safeguards like passkeys and passwordless biometric sign-in. These devices enable efficient enforcement of security policies across all endpoints. Additionally, they provide hardware-based protection from chip to cloud, enhanced privacy settings, and granular IT controls. Copilot+ PCs support AI workloads locally, offering proactive AI experiences while protecting sensitive data. They incorporate advanced security measures like Secured-core PC protection and Microsoft Pluton, enhancing data and privacy security for organizations.
IFA 2025: Accelerating innovation with Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11
Winsage
September 13, 2025

IFA 2025: Accelerating innovation with Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11

At IFA Berlin, Acer and Lenovo showcased advancements in Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11, emphasizing innovation that is personalized, intelligent, and secure. The Acer TravelMate X4 14 AI Copilot+ PC is designed for small and medium-sized businesses, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor, up to 32 GB LPDDR5X memory, and 1 TB PCIe storage, with a lightweight design of 1.27 kg. The Acer Predator Helios 18P offers desktop-level gaming power with an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. The refreshed Nitro Windows 11 lineup includes Nitro V 16 and Nitro V 16S laptops and Nitro 50 and Nitro 70 desktops for gamers. Lenovo's Legion Pro 7 features an AMD Ryzen 9955HX3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, while the Legion Go handheld offers an OLED VRR display and up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 storage. The Copilot+ PC ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition delivers over 40 TOPS of NPU performance, and the redesigned ThinkPad models cater to data-intensive workflows.
Microsoft: Windows 11 24H2 now works with Easy Anti-Cheat (Fortnite), won't cause BSODs anymore
Winsage
July 27, 2025

Microsoft: Windows 11 24H2 now works with Easy Anti-Cheat (Fortnite), won’t cause BSODs anymore

Windows 11 24H2 is now available to users, with automatic updates for those on older versions like Windows 11 23H2. Initially, the update was blocked for some Intel PC users running games like Fortnite due to compatibility issues with Easy Anti-Cheat. Microsoft has resolved these compatibility concerns as of July 25, confirming that the upgrade is now accessible to all users after nearly ten months of collaboration with Epic Games. The block primarily affected Intel Alder and Intel vPro processors, and while the specific update that fixed the issues was not detailed, it is suggested to be included in the July 2025 Patch Tuesday (KB5062553). Users with Intel vPro (Core i7) systems reported that the update appeared automatically after this patch. Additionally, some users with Ryzen processors also faced similar problems, although this was not widely acknowledged. Users who experienced a Blue Screen of Death error (Memory_Management code) while installing Windows 11 24H2 with Fortnite are advised to uninstall Easy Anti-Cheat and reinstall drivers if issues persist. Support for Windows 11 23H2 will end on November 11, 2025, prompting users to prepare for the upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 proactively. The "Pause updates" feature has been reported to be unreliable, potentially allowing mandatory updates to install unexpectedly.
Microsoft’s latest campaign to push Windows 10 users to Windows 11 has a sinister feel to it
Winsage
June 6, 2025

Microsoft’s latest campaign to push Windows 10 users to Windows 11 has a sinister feel to it

Microsoft is urging users to transition to Windows 11 as support for Windows 10 will officially end on October 14, 2025. The company emphasizes the importance of upgrading to Windows 11 or purchasing a new PC to "stay on the right side of risk" due to the cessation of security updates for Windows 10. A promotional video on the official Windows YouTube channel highlights these points and encourages users to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro PCs with Intel vPro technology. The messaging has received mixed reactions, with some users expressing discomfort with its tone.
Microsoft threatens Windows 10 users to upgrade to be on the “right side of risk”
Winsage
June 5, 2025

Microsoft threatens Windows 10 users to upgrade to be on the “right side of risk”

Microsoft is intensifying its campaign to encourage users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 ahead of the October 2025 end of support deadline. A recent advertisement emphasizes the urgency of upgrading, particularly for systems with Intel processors. Windows 11 has been available for nearly five years, but its transition has faced challenges due to Microsoft's requirement for Trusted Platform Module (TPM) hardware, which many existing PCs do not meet. While Microsoft offers an extended support program for Windows 10, it is costly, leading to concerns among users. Experts warn that the end of Windows 10 support could make 240 million PCs obsolete, increasing electronic waste. Additionally, Qualcomm has launched ads promoting its Snapdragon X processors, highlighting performance advantages over Intel chips, particularly when devices are not plugged in. The new Windows ad positions Intel vPro as a strong option for consumers considering new PCs amidst this competitive landscape.
Microsoft releases emergency hotfix for Windows 10's May update issues
Winsage
May 20, 2025

Microsoft releases emergency hotfix for Windows 10’s May update issues

Microsoft released an out-of-band update, KB5061768, for Windows 10 users to address urgent security vulnerabilities. This update is available through the Microsoft Update Catalog for Windows 10 versions 1903 and later, including Windows 10 LTSB, and supports both x86 and x64 architectures. The download size ranges from 415 MB to 711 MB. The update is crucial for users experiencing BitLocker issues and blue screen crashes after the May Windows 10 patch, particularly on devices with Intel Trusted Execution Technology enabled on 10th-generation Intel vPro processors or newer. Users unable to install the update due to boot issues should disable Intel VT for Direct I/O and Intel Trusted Execution Technology in the BIOS/UEFI settings to allow normal startup and apply the update.
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