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Craig PaulsenFlag for New Zealand

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BitLocker Windows 7 Pro...

Hi Experts,

I have a client whose now considering wanting to use the Windows 7 bitlocker functionality, my understanding is that it's only available in Windows 7 Enterprise/Ultimate editions, not Win 7 Pro,
Please (1) confirm this is indeed correct, (2) what options are there for getting the BitLocker security functionality added (IE: consider upgrading to either Enterprise editions of Win7) or consider alternatives, what alternatives are there?

Many thanks
Craig
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TheAvenger
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Yes, bitlocker is included only in these editions of Windows 7.

You can use TrueCrypt as an alternative. It is free, works perfectly, gives a choice of encryption algorithm, etc. You can download it from http://www.truecrypt.org/.
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1.  That's correct, BitLocker is only available within the Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows 7:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee449438(WS.10).aspx

2.  You can utilize the Windows Anytime Upgrade function to easily upgrade the Windows 7 Professional workstations:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/windows-anytime-upgrade

3.  Perhaps the best alternative to BitLocker would be the TrueCrypt freeware solution:

http://www.truecrypt.org/

http://www.howtogeek.com/108501/the-how-to-geek-guide-to-getting-started-with-truecrypt/
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thank' u both for ure replies, I heard truecrypt being mentioned on several blogs/forums as a good "free" alternative, what is the industry standard alternative,  my concern with going with the free alternative means that support is limited if not non existent, my client is prepared to pay if required for a proper product, your thoughts
In my opinion, TrueCrypt is the best solution you can get (it is almost for sure better than BitLocker). Maybe you could contact the team and ask if you can get paid support.
thanks, what about Symantec Endpoint Encryption (SEE), that appears to be the goverment standard for laptop disk encryption if bitlocker not being used?
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Run5k
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thanks again Run5k, and apologies for all the questions, i need to go back to my client and have all my facts in order, windows anytime upgrade appears only feasible for a home based machine running windows 7 home ed.
in a domain environment with say 20 laptops, doing that upgrade on that many machines not feasible vs purchasing an enterprise Win7 vlk for example
also what is your experience/opinion about SEE (symantec's encryption) product
SEE is based upon Pretty Good Privacy used to be freeware. Every Security company sells a similar product. Kaspersky, McAfee, and others.

http://www.esecurityplanet.com/mobile-security/buyers-guide-to-full-disk-encryption.html
I will defer to Ve3ofa's good advice regarding Symantec Endpoint Encryption.  In our domain environments (including our government contracts), we have utilized BitLocker exclusively.
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