Key points
- Strengthen Windows Security with Enhanced PINs: Enhanced PINs for BitLocker combine numbers, letters, symbols, and spaces to create stronger pre-boot authentication. Enabling them adds an extra protection layer against brute-force attacks and unauthorized data access on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.
- Enable Enhanced PINs via Group Policy: Open Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) → navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Operating System Drives, and then enable the “Allow enhanced PINs for startup” policy.
- Troubleshoot Common BitLocker PIN Errors: If an enhanced PIN fails or BitLocker prompts for a recovery key, verify PIN complexity, TPM status (tpm.msc), and recent BIOS or firmware changes.
- Follow Best Practices for Enterprise Encryption Management: Use complex enhanced PINs, monitor BitLocker event logs, and integrate endpoint management tools to automate encryption key storage, monitor encrypted drives, and manage security at scale.
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 generate a 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.
📌 Watch “How to Enable or Disable Enhanced PINs for BitLocker Startup in Windows” for a visual walkthrough of this guide.
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.
Fortify your Windows device security with NinjaOne.
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 and doesn’t have BitLocker enabled, but must meet certain requirements for BitLocker to work. The system drive must have the following traits:
- No encryption.
- Is not the same as the OS drive.
- Formatted with FAT32 for UEFI firmware or NTFS for BIOS firmware
- Being at least 350 MB
Using a compatible version of Windows
Microsoft has offered BitLocker as part of the Windows (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 offers Device Encryption instead, which can encrypt the OS drive. (More information on BitLocker-compatible versions can be found here.)
TPM requirements
BitLocker requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version of 1.2 or higher for PIN authentication—although in general, version 2.0 is recommended (and even required) for modern Windows versions. 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 via Group Policy
Like BitLocker, Local Group Policy Editor is only available in Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
- Press Win + R and enter “gpedit.msc” to open the Group Policy Editor.
- Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Operating System Drives.
- Locate the policy “Allow enhanced PINs for startup” and then click it to enable it.
- Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes. Once you’re done, restart your system to implement the new settings.
How to disable BitLocker enhanced PIN in Windows via Group Policy
- Press Win + R and enter “gpedit.msc” to open the Group Policy Editor”.
- Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Operating System Drives.
- Set the policy “Require additional authentication.” Alternatively, you can uncheck “Allow enhanced PINs for startup box.”
- Restart your game so that the changes reflect.
Troubleshooting common errors for BitLocker authentication PIN
BitLocker PIN not working after enabling PIN Enhanced
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:
- Navigate to the Settings app and then go to the Privacy & Security tab, followed by Device encryption
- Click on the button to turn off the BitLocker.
- Restart your computer and then reactivate BitLocker. (Do note that in this path may differ in Windows 11—Settings > System > Storage > Advanced > Drive Encryption.)
TPM authentication errors
Check that the TPM is enabled. You can use the TPM Management Tool by typing “tpm.msc” in Command Prompt to confirm the status and fix errors.
Best practices for managing enhanced pins for BitLocker
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.
Combine BitLocker with additional security
Consider using third-party endpoint management software to enhance your IT security. The best endpoint management software, like NinjaOne, features the remote monitoring of encrypted drives and reliable backup software.
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 and enter “eventvwr.msc” to quickly open Event Viewer.
Keep track of your enhanced PINs
You could be locked out of your device if you forget your enhanced PIN. Fortunately, 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.
Never lose access to your Windows devices.
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 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 the 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.
