In a significant advancement for data security, Windows 11 Pro has introduced a hardware-accelerated version of BitLocker, a feature designed to enhance storage encryption without compromising performance. This innovative update allows compatible devices to maintain storage read and write speeds comparable to those seen when BitLocker is disabled, even while the encryption is actively protecting data.
Enhancing Performance with Hardware Acceleration
Traditionally, BitLocker has been known for its robust security capabilities, encrypting storage to safeguard sensitive information. However, this level of protection often came at the cost of slower access speeds due to the necessary encryption and decryption processes. The newly developed hardware-accelerated BitLocker leverages the encryption processor integrated into the System on Chip (SoC), effectively streamlining these processes.
The introduction of this feature coincides with the rollout of Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. On devices equipped with a supported built-in encryption processor, users can expect a notable improvement in storage performance when BitLocker is enabled. Utilizing the XTS-AES-256 encryption algorithm, the hardware-enhanced BitLocker automatically activates on compatible machines, ensuring users benefit from both security and speed.
To verify whether hardware BitLocker is operational on a device, users can access the command prompt with administrative privileges and execute the command manage-bde -status. If the ‘Encryption Method’ field displays hardware-accelerated XTS-AES-256, the feature is successfully enabled.
Performance metrics reveal that the number of CPU cycles during storage access remains consistent with machines that have BitLocker disabled, indicating that hardware BitLocker operates with minimal overhead. A comparative analysis using the storage benchmark application CrystalDiskMark demonstrates that the hardware version can roughly double sequential read and random write speeds, with Microsoft asserting that performance may rival that of devices without BitLocker encryption.
As the technology landscape evolves, the integration of the XTS-AES-256 encryption processor into Intel’s upcoming third-generation Core Ultra processor, known as Panther Lake, suggests a bright future for hardware-accelerated BitLocker. This enhancement is poised to broaden the accessibility of high-performance encryption across a wider range of PCs, reinforcing the balance between security and efficiency in data management.
