this post was submitted on 04 May 2025
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    Microsoft secured my files! (lemmy.world)
    submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
    237 comments fedilink hide all child comments
     

    Back in January Microsoft encrypted all my hard drives without saying anything. I was playing around with a dual boot yesterday and somehow aggravated Secureboot. So my C: panicked and required a 40 character key to unlock.

    Your key is backed up to the Microsoft account associated with your install. Which is considerate to the hackers. (and saved me from a re-install) But if you've got an unactivated copy, local account, or don't know your M$ account credentials, your boned.

    Control Panel > System Security > Bitlocker Encryption.

    BTW, I was aware that M$ was doing this and even made fun of the effected users. Karma.

    (page 4) 50 comments
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    [–] [email protected] 27 points 2 weeks ago

    I've actually had this occur before to a machine I specifically disabled the tpm on so that it wouldn't happen (it was an account less frozen kiosk). I was fuming the entire time I spent rebuilding it.

    [–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    You know, this is actually one Windows decision I agree with. Encryption should be default, especially on portable devices like laptops. For an OS aimed at people who want to use their computers, rather than understand them, you have to choose an encryption that works by default for most of your non-tech-savvy users.

    If they want their data truly in their own hands, or full control, use Linux.

    If they want to use Windows, but not rely on a Microsoft account for recovery, get the bitlocker recovery key and write it down (which you can do).

    But I think this looks like a sane default.

    (Full disclosure, I don't use Windows for anything I care about!)

    [–] [email protected] 26 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

    Would be fine. The problem is, Microsoft is encrypting drives and not telling anybody about it. Average users have no clue what any of this is and are completely unaware they need to create a passphrase for safe keeping.

    [–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

    Fair point.

    [–] [email protected] 13 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

    Respectfully, hard disagree and terrible take. I work in IT, and your stance only makes sense if people have some tech knowledge. Which is never going to happen for the average person.

    I can't tell you how many older people I've had to tell that I can't save their grandkids first pics because of bitlocker

    [–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (15 children)

    That still happens without bitlocker. Computers are dropped. Facebook passwords are forgotten.

    I acknowledge automatic encryption is going to make some more cases of lost data, but, with respect, I think the benefit of making fewer cases of stolen data is worth it. I agree with the other commenter that users should be made aware of it more clearly.

    Also, as much as I hate the push to Microsoft accounts, I have to admit it helps mitigate this problem: if all ordinary users have an account looking after their master keys, then they can turn to that when they forget their login password etc. but the opportunistic thief on the train can't (as easily). Not every grandma has a Millennial relative at hand to boot Linux to rescue files off her HDD. And for those who don't like to trust their master keys to Microsoft/Apple/Google? There's Linux. And external backups. And saving your password somewhere safe.

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    [–] [email protected] 79 points 2 weeks ago (8 children)

    Just checked my wife's laptop. Local account, secure boot off, windows 10. It had a message telling me to setup a microsoft account to 'finish encrypting the device'. I clicked turn off, and it's currently decrypting the hard drive. Blech.

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    [–] [email protected] 96 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

    They desperately wanted to eliminate personal computers and replace them with dumb terminals running over the net.

    When the public rejected this idea

    THIS is their response. They are still insisting on total control of our computers.

    [–] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago (13 children)

    Not to mention DRM. They want to own your computer and prevent any kind of modification so that movie producers give them money.

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    [–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

    Good thing PCs aren't locked into Windows.

    [–] [email protected] 17 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

    yet

    [–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

    Good luck locking loose mainboards sold for the DIY market, which don't come with anything installed by default, to a given OS, the only way that could maybe work is forcing the OS in ROM.

    Another way would be to discontinue the socketed desktop form factors and replace them all with mini PCs that are as locked down as the current Macs.

    [–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago (6 children)

    Thinking for two seconds:

    MS pays Google to start enforcing some device verification thing so you can only view a good chunk of the Internet if you pass verification? (Assumes Google goes even harder making the web Chrome-focused)

    Ooh Cloudflare could be invited to the party here too. Constant CAPTCHAs if you’re not on an MS AUTHENTI-PC! device. (Think Private Access Token)

    …fill in the gaps friends πŸ˜‰ you know MS has already debated all your β€œsuggestions” anyway

    [–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (5 children)

    So you're suggesting MS will somehow block non-Windows OSes from installing, even on hardware like loose mainboards for building your own PC with, or even on barebones mini PC kits or certain laptop SKUs, which don't ship with an OS installed to begin with and expect the user to install it themselves? I mean, unless something extreme happens like changing the entire PC platform to be like the current Macs, that won't be feasible.

    Also, doing that would kill the Steam Deck which I doubt Valve would take sitting down.

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    [–] [email protected] 39 points 2 weeks ago (8 children)

    They desperately wanted to eliminate personal computers and replace them with dumb terminals running over the net.

    I don't know about that.

    Dumb terminal concept was more what Chromebook was doing.

    Microsoft is doing something even stupider.

    [–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

    Dumb terminal concept was more what Chromebook was doing.

    I mean, for a lot of people they're fine especially if they're priced appropriately. Especially with a lot more software as a service out there. My problem is that all of them have a built in drop dead date on when they're going to stop getting updates and there's not really a great option for the devices post ChromeOS.

    ChromeOS certainly can be a good system. I still have my old CR-48 from when I got selected to test the OS and even when it was in its infancy, it was solid. I used it for a lot of my college career because it was better than my Asus eeePC which had Ubuntu on it.

    [–] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago (10 children)

    I had an Intel Chromebox that I ran galliumOS on. The problem is locked bootloaders which should be illegal

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    [–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

    Windows 10 or 11?

    [–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago

    "do not redeem!" - microsoft, probably

    [–] [email protected] -2 points 2 weeks ago

    This is gonna happen to a lot more people with their password change.

    Why do you have to use there? Nothing a cater. You can't use Google or open source. I don't get it. They suck.

    Like I need more spyware on my phone.

    What about people with landlines? Older people.

    So they're going to lose a huge market share when they force everybody to throw away their computer to run Windows 11.

    [–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

    *You’re

    You’re boned

    [–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

    MY boned?

    [–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago

    OUR boned

    [–] [email protected] 15 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

    Why cant windows copy luks and let you choose your own password

    [–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

    I'm pretty sure you can get your recovery key and write that down elsewhere.

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    [–] [email protected] 14 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    because people will set hunter2 and be done with it.

    [–] [email protected] 18 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

    How did you get my password?

    [–] [email protected] 10 points 2 weeks ago

    All I see is *******. What do you see?

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    [–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

    I thought bitlocker had a maximum of 20 digits for the pin and only numbers were allowed.

    [–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago

    Don't know the pin limit/requirements, but the recovery token is a 48 digit token

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