Windows Vista in a Nutshell

Encryption

If you want to make sure that no one can read your files or folders without your permission, your best bet is to use one of Windows Vista’s encryption schemes, which scrambles data so that only those with the proper keys or passwords can read or use it.

Windows Vista has two types of encryption. The Encrypting File System (EFS) is a holdover from Windows XP, and it lets you encrypt individual files and folders. BitLocker Drive Encryption, new with Windows Vista, lets you lock down an entire computer so that only you can use it. In fact, if someone steals your laptop and you’ve encrypted it with BitLocker Drive Encryption, he won’t even be able to start it up, much less read the files on it.

BitLocker Drive Encryption

Encrypts entire drives so that data can’t be read, even if your computer is stolen (available only with the Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista).

To open

Control Panel → [Security] → BitLocker Drive Encryption

Description

BitLocker Drive Encryption, new to Windows Vista, is the best way to keep all of your files safe from others. It works even if you have a laptop and it’s stolen. It’s designed so that your laptop or PC won’t even start up without your encryption key, so a thief will not even be able to boot your PC, much less read any of its files. BitLocker Drive Encryption encrypts all files on a drive, including those needed for startup and logon. By doing this, it ensures that a thief cannot start your system, ...