Windows 8.1/RT 8.1 use device encryption to help protect files

Procedure:

Applicable to Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1

Device Encryption helps protect your Windows 8.1 computer by encrypting data, or by "disturbing" it. Only users with appropriate encryption keys (such as passwords) can interpret and read data. Device Encryption helps prevent hackers from stealing your password to obtain the files they need. If your computer is lost or stolen, device encryption also helps prevent others from accessing your data by installing a locked drive on another computer. Even if your computer is encrypted, you can log on to Windows as usual and use files.

Note:

All Windows RT 8.1 computers and Windows 8.1 computers that support InstantGo provide device encryption. InstantGo allows you to use the latest applications and data to immediately wake up your computer from sleep. For more information about whether the device encryption function can be used on your computer, see related documents attached to your computer or visit the manufacturer's website.

How to enable device encryption?

You must log on to your computer using a Microsoft account with administrator privileges to use device encryption. For more information about administrator permissions, see Standard accounts and administrator accounts. If you do not log on with a Microsoft account, or you do not have a Microsoft account and want to create an account, perform the following steps.

Log on with a Microsoft account

1. Sweep from the right edge of the screen to the center, click "settings", and then click "Change computer settings ".

(If you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click "set", and then click "Change computer settings ".)

2. Click or click "account", and then click or click "switch to Microsoft account ".

If you use a new computer with Windows RT 8.1 installed, device encryption is automatically enabled upon logon. Windows will help protect data on your computer and upload the recovery key online to your Microsoft account. This recovery key allows you to log on to your computer when your account is locked.

However, if you have upgraded from a previous version of Windows to Windows RT 8.1, you need to manually enable device encryption.

Enable device encryption manually

1. Sweep from the right edge of the screen to the center and click search ".

(If you use the mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click "Search ".)

2. In the search box, enter encryption.

3. Click or change device encryption settings and follow the instructions.

When do I need to use a recovery key?

When the computer enters recovery mode, you need to use the recovery key. There are several reasons for this: for example, your organization may have a password security policy. When the number of failed logon attempts reaches a certain number, the system will lock your computer. If your computer encounters a hardware fault or unexpected configuration changes that affect security, your computer may also enter recovery mode. You need to recover the key to help ensure that only authorized users can unlock your computer and restore access to encrypted data.

For more information about the restoration key and how to obtain it, see restoration key: FAQs.

How do I back up my recovery key?

If you have logged on with a Microsoft account, protection is enabled for your computer and the recovery key is automatically backed up online to your Microsoft account. If you need to store another copy of the recovery key, you can print it or save it as a file.

1. Sweep from the right edge of the screen to the center and click search ".

(If you use the mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click "Search ".)

2. In the search box, enter "device encryption ".

3. Select "Backup and Recovery Key" and follow the instructions.

How do I view device encryption settings?

1. Sweep from the right edge of the screen to the center, click "settings", and then click "Change computer settings ".

(If you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click "set", and then click "Change computer settings ".)

2. Click or click "computer and device", and then click or click "Computer Information ".

The device encryption section appears at the bottom of the computer information page.

How do I disable device encryption?

Not all computers have been set to allow you to change device encryption settings. To determine whether device encryption can be disabled on your computer, perform the following steps.

1. Sweep from the right edge of the screen to the center and click search ".

(If you use the mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click "Search ".)

2. In the search box, enter encryption.

3. Click or change device encryption settings and follow the instructions.