How to Enable or Disable Enhanced PINs for BitLocker Startup in Windows

BitLocker is Windows’ native tool for full disk encryption, which allows users to protect sensitive data on their Windows devices. Once you’ve enabled BitLocker on an operating system (OS) drive, you can use a startup PIN that also allows you to use enhanced PINs.

While regular PINs typically consist of numbers, users can enable enhanced PINs for BitLocker to add an additional authentication step. Understanding how to properly do Windows BitLocker PIN improves endpoint security and data protection.

This guide will go over BitLocker enhanced pins and explain how to enable enhanced PIN for BitLocker startup.

Prerequisites for enhanced PINs for BitLocker

Enhanced PINs are an advanced authentication feature in BitLocker that allows users to create startup PINs with a mix of numbers, upper-case and lower-case letters, symbols, and even spaces. Enabling enhanced PINs greatly improves Windows device security, adding an additional layer of protection and reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access. Utilizing enhanced pins also makes it more difficult for hackers to access a device via brute force attacks.

Before enabling or disabling enhanced PINs for BitLocker startup, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

• Drive requirements

To use BitLocker, the Windows device requires the hard disk to be partitioned into two parts. The first is the OS drive, which holds the OS, and the system drive, which boots and loads the OS, doesn’t have BitLocker enabled, but must meet certain requirements for BitLocker to work. The system drive must not have any of the following traits:

• • No encryption.
  • Is not the same as the OS drive.
  • Formatted with FAT32 for UEFI firmware or NTFS for BIOS firmware.
  • Microsoft recommends that the system drive be at least 350MB with at least 250MB of free space.

• Using a compatible version of Windows

Microsoft has offered BitLocker as part of the Windows operating system (OS) since Windows Vista. However, not all Windows versions come with BitLocker, as only the Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows 10/11 can access it. Windows 11 Home edition offers Device Encryption instead, which can encrypt the OS drive.

• TPM requirements

BitLocker requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version of 1.2 or higher for PIN authentication. Without a TPM, BitLocker requires the startup key to be saved on a USB drive. TPM devices also require a Trusted Computing Group (TCG)–compliant BIOS or UEFI firmware that supports USB mass storage and file reading.

• Administrator privileges

Setting up enhanced PINs for Bitlocker requires admin-level access to your system.

How to enable enhanced PIN for BitLocker startup

BitLocker Group Policy settings for PIN authentication

Like BitLocker, Local Group Policy Editor is only available in Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. You will have to rely on the second method, which is using the Windows Command Prompt.

1. Press Win + R and enter “gpedit.msc” open the Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Operating System Drives.
3. Locate the policy “Allow enhanced PINs for startup” and then click on it to enable it.
4. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes. Once you’re done, restart your system to implement the new settings.

How to enable enhanced pins for BitLocker using Command Prompt

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Enter the command
   manage-bde -protectors -setoptions C: -standardpin
3. When you’re finished, restart the system to apply changes.

How to disable BitLocker enhanced PIN in Windows

Disabling enhanced PINs via Group Policy editor

1. Press Win + R and enter “gpedit.msc” open the Group Policy Editor”.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Operating System Drives.
3. Set the policy “Require additional authentication.” Alternatively, you can uncheck “Allow enhanced PINs for startup box.”
4. Restart your game so that the changes reflect.

How to disable enhanced PINs for BitLocker using Command Prompt

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Enter the command and replace <drive letter> with the location of the hard disk:
   manage-bde -protectors -delete <drive letter>: -TPMAndPIN
3. When you’re finished, restart the system to apply changes.

Troubleshooting common errors for BitLocker authentication PIN

• BitLocker PIN not working after enabling Enhanced PIN

This issue is usually caused by a new PIN not meeting the requirements of an enhanced PIN for BitLocker. Ensure the PIN includes valid characters like letters, numbers, and special symbols. If the issue persists, you can try resetting the PIN using the BitLocker drive settings in Control Panel.

• BitLocker recovery key prompt appears unexpectedly

This error can occur if the user replaces hardware components or makes any changes to the system’s firmware, such as BIOS updates. To fix this issue, you will need to take the following steps:

1. Navigate to the Settings app, then go to Privacy & Security tab > Device encryption
2. Click on the button to turn off the BitLocker.
3. Restart your computer and then reactivate BitLocker.

• TPM authentication errors

Check that the TPM is enabled. You can use the TPM Management Tool by typing “tpm.msc” in a Command Prompt to confirm the status and fix errors.

Best practices for managing enhanced pins for BitLocker

1. Choose a strong enhanced PIN

Use a mix of numbers, letters, and special characters to increase the complexity of your new PIN and avoid predictable sequences. Also, change PINs regularly to minimize the risk of passwords becoming compromise.

2. Combine BitLocker with additional security

Consider using third-party endpoint management software to enhance your IT security. The best endpoint management software, like NinjaOne, provides remote monitoring of encrypted drives and reliable backup software.

3. Monitor BitLocker security logs

Review BitLocker logs regularly for signs of suspicious activity, such as repeated failed login attempts. You can use Windows Event Viewer to see BitLocker logs. Simply press Win + Rand, enter “eventvwr.msc,” to quickly open Event Viewer.

4. Keep track of your enhanced PINs

Remember your new PINs, as you could be locked out of your device if you forget your enhanced PIN. You can rely on IT documentation software to keep track of login credentials or on automated encryption management tools, such as NinjaOne, which can automatically store Windows BitLocker recovery keys.

Make Windows BitLocker PIN setup easier

Enhanced PINs for BitLocker provide users with additional authentication that can deter some types of cyberattacks. By following the steps above, you can now enable enhanced PINs to fortify your IT security and safeguard sensitive data.

NinjaOne Endpoint Security for Windows centralizes all the tools you need to protect critical business data on your Windows devices. In addition, NinjaOne provides encryption management tools that enable users to monitor encrypted drives and automate documentation of Bitlocker encryption keys.

Discover how NinjaOne allows IT teams to take proactive steps to strengthen device security and manage BitLocker encryption with ease. Watch a demo or sign up for a 14-day free trial.