{
    "product": {
        "slug": "bitlocker",
        "name": "BitLocker",
        "kind": "app",
        "website": "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/",
        "page": "https://listme.name/software/bitlocker",
        "tagline": "Built-in Windows disk encryption for Pro and Enterprise editions",
        "summary": "BitLocker is Microsoft's disk encryption feature for Windows, built into Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education editions. It encrypts the operating system drive and fixed drives, and Windows 11 can turn on device encryption automatically on some devices.",
        "developer": "Microsoft",
        "platforms": [
            "windows"
        ],
        "pricing": "free",
        "price_note": "Included with Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education editions",
        "free_to_use": true,
        "open_source": false,
        "strengths": [
            "Built into Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education",
            "Encrypts the system drive and fixed drives"
        ],
        "limits": [
            "Not included in every Windows edition",
            "Encrypts system and fixed drives, not USB drives"
        ],
        "checked": "2026-10-10",
        "connected_to_publisher": false,
        "overview": "BitLocker encrypts the Windows operating system drive and fixed drives, and it is included with Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education editions, according to Microsoft's documentation. Microsoft's overview says it does not encrypt external or USB drives.\n\nBitLocker is a built-in feature rather than a separate download, so there is no separate price. Microsoft's documentation describes device encryption as a simpler way for some devices to turn on BitLocker automatically. Its source code is not published, so Microsoft's documentation is the main public reference.",
        "highlights": [
            "Full-disk encryption",
            "Built into Windows settings",
            "Device encryption on some PCs",
            "Recovery key management",
            "Windows Pro and Enterprise"
        ],
        "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/products/bitlocker.json"
    },
    "rankings": [
        {
            "list": "file-encryption-software",
            "name": "File encryption software",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/file-encryption-software",
            "rank": 6,
            "of": 10,
            "score": 84,
            "verdict": "Built-in full-disk encryption at no extra cost on Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education. It covers the system and fixed drives but not USB drives, and its source is not published.",
            "best_for": "Windows Pro users who want built-in disk encryption"
        }
    ],
    "alternatives": [
        {
            "slug": "veracrypt",
            "name": "VeraCrypt",
            "score": 92.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/veracrypt"
        },
        {
            "slug": "cryptomator",
            "name": "Cryptomator",
            "score": 91,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/cryptomator"
        },
        {
            "slug": "gnupg",
            "name": "GnuPG",
            "score": 88.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/gnupg"
        },
        {
            "slug": "age",
            "name": "age",
            "score": 87,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/age"
        },
        {
            "slug": "gocryptfs",
            "name": "gocryptfs",
            "score": 86.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/gocryptfs"
        },
        {
            "slug": "axcrypt",
            "name": "AxCrypt",
            "score": 83.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/axcrypt"
        },
        {
            "slug": "filevault",
            "name": "FileVault",
            "score": 83,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/filevault"
        },
        {
            "slug": "7-zip",
            "name": "7-Zip",
            "score": 81,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/7-zip"
        },
        {
            "slug": "picocrypt",
            "name": "Picocrypt",
            "score": 79.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/picocrypt"
        }
    ],
    "links": {
        "page": "https://listme.name/software/bitlocker",
        "markdown": "https://listme.name/software/bitlocker.md",
        "badge": "https://listme.name/badge/bitlocker.svg",
        "alternatives_page": "https://listme.name/alternatives/bitlocker",
        "alternatives_json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/alternatives/bitlocker.json"
    },
    "source": "https://listme.name",
    "license": "Free to read and cite with attribution to listme.name.",
    "docs": "https://listme.name/developers"
}