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I have a brand new Dell XPS 15 laptop, and I'm getting the following message popping up from time to time.

User Security Recommendation Message

Searching around, I see that Windows 8.1 is supposed to have whole disk encryption enabled by default for systems that support it.

The problem is that when I go to Windows 8.1's settings under PC and devices | PC info, I see no mention of disk encryption. The articles I've read suggest this indicates that my system does not support it.

Questions:

  1. Why am I getting this message if my system doesn't support whole-disk encryption, and is there a way to determine for sure if this encryption is enabled or not?

  2. Does anyone know what terrible things happen if I leave both Intel Rapid Start Technology and whole-disk encryption enabled?

  3. Can anyone imagine why Dell is sending out computers, apparently, with invalid configurations.

Update

Actually, the link in the message does contain some helpful information, such as:

What full disk encryption solutions work best with Intel Rapid Start Technology? To maintain the benefits of Intel Rapid Start Technology and full disk encryption, we recommend using a hardware-based full disk encryption solution and enabling an ATA security password.

Published guidance for software-based full disk encryption usually involves disabling Windows Standby/Sleep state and using Hibernate or Shut Down instead. Disabling the Sleep state means that Intel Rapid Start Technology may not be used.

But I'm still unclear why I can't confirm disk encryption is enabled.

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  • Windows 8.1 encryption is only enabled on certain types of devices. Its not enabled for example on Desktop products, if you want encryption on a desktop, Bitlocker should be used. Provide a screenshot of what you do see. Unless your using Bitlocker your not using the same encryption solution your reading about.
    – Ramhound
    May 21, 2014 at 16:02
  • Thanks, but that comment seems at odds with this article. May 21, 2014 at 16:12
  • This is the reason I don't like that website. Bitlocker is NOT Pervasive Device Encryption one is handled by the user the other introduces some "wide usage compromises" for example the ability to backup your key to your Microsoft Account. Did your laptop come with Windows 8.1? If it did not then its not enabled, it could be enabled, but its not enabled if you upgraded from Windows 8.0 to Windows 8.1. I still want to see what you see a screenshot works. You also have to link your local account to your Microsoft Account ( again one of the compromises they made to bring it to the masses ).
    – Ramhound
    May 21, 2014 at 16:16
  • I assume you have verified your using the current version of IRST?
    – Ramhound
    May 21, 2014 at 16:18
  • Again, the laptop is brand new. Came last Friday with Windows 8.1. My Microsoft account is linked and verified. May 21, 2014 at 16:35

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