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A laptop without a TPM chip needs to be secure: it's to be used by a doctor to store patient details, so if the laptop gets lost or stolen it needs to be unreadable.<br />
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Other than Bitlocker, what are the options for security without being a pain in the neck for day-to-day use?<br />
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It is a standalone Windows 8.1 laptop, to which we are about to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro to get the use of Bitlocker - but would like to check alternatives before committing.
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A laptop without a TPM chip needs to be secure: it's to be used by a doctor to store patient details, so if the laptop gets lost or stolen it needs to be unreadable.

Other than Bitlocker, what are the options for security without being a pain in the neck for day-to-day use?

It is a standalone Windows 8.1 laptop, to which we are about to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro to get the use of Bitlocker - but would like to check alternatives before committing.

Alternatives to Bitlocker for data encryption

Windows 8 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems, with an emphasis on improving its user experience on tablets. In particular, these changes included a touch-optimized Windows shell based on Microsoft's "Metro" design language, the Start screen, a new platform for developing apps with an emphasis on touchscreen input, integration with online services, support for USB 3.0, Advanced Format hard drives, near field communications, and cloud computing. Additional security features were introduced, such as built-in antivirus software, integration with Microsoft SmartScreen phishing filtering service and support for UEFI Secure Boot on supported devices with UEFI firmware.

Windows 8

Operating system security (OS security) is the process of ensuring OS integrity, confidentiality and availability. OS security refers to specified steps or measures used to protect the OS from threats, viruses, worms, malware or remote hacker intrusions. OS security encompasses all preventive-control techniques, which safeguard any computer assets capable of being stolen, edited or deleted if OS security is compromised, including authentication, passwords and threats to systems and programs.

OS Security

Encryption is the process of encoding messages or information in such a way that only authorized parties can read it. In an encryption scheme, the intended communication information or message, referred to as plaintext, is encrypted using an encryption algorithm, generating ciphertext that can only be read if decrypted. For technical reasons, an encryption scheme usually uses a pseudo-random encryption key generated by an algorithm. An authorized recipient can easily decrypt the message with the key provided by the originator to recipients, but not to unauthorized interceptors.