BitLocker and EFS Enhancements

This Ultimate Extra includes two tools that make it easier to use some of the security features that come with Windows Vista Ultimate:

• Windows® BitLocker™ Drive Preparation Tool - configures your hard drive so that you can use the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature of Windows Vista.
  
• Secure Online Key Backup - stores a backup copy of your BitLocker recovery password and Encrypting File System (EFS) recovery certificates in your digital locker.
  

When you purchase Windows Vista Ultimate, you get all of the features that Windows Vista has to offer for home users and for businesses. Because BitLocker was originally designed for businesses, it can be tricky to use on your own. That’s why we created this Ultimate Extra, which makes it easier for you to set up your computer for BitLocker and then securely back up your recovery information for BitLocker or EFS to your digital locker.
If you haven’t already heard about BitLocker, here is some background information:

Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption provides increased security by encrypting everything on your hard drive: data, programs, and even Windows itself. When you use BitLocker, your system is more difficult to tamper with, and you are better protected if your computer is ever lost or stolen. BitLocker does not replace the need to use good passwords and other security features, but it does make it much harder for anyone else to read the information stored on your hard drive.
If your computer has as a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 chip, BitLocker can use the chip to perform a system integrity check—a process that verifies your computer system has not been tampered with—before unlocking your drive. If you do not have a TPM 1.2 chip, you can still use the encryption provided by BitLocker, but not the system integrity checking. For information about how to enable BitLocker on your computer without using a TPM 1.2 chip, see the BitLocker Drive Encryption Step-by-Step Guide.