Answer
When BitLocker is enabled on a workstation, it encrypts the entire drive, and this encryption pertains to all users of that machine, regardless of their individual user accounts. Here are some key points about how BitLocker operates in this context:
- Drive-Wide Encryption: BitLocker encrypts the entire drive on which it is enabled. This means that the encryption settings apply universally to the drive, not to individual user accounts. Once BitLocker is enabled, all users who log into the machine will interact with the encrypted drive.
- Accessing the Encrypted Drive: For users to access the encrypted drive, they must either provide the BitLocker password or have the drive set to automatically unlock. If the drive is set to automatically unlock, users will not need to enter a password each time they access the drive, provided they have the necessary permissions.
- Administrator Role: Enabling BitLocker typically requires administrative rights. Once enabled by an admin, the encryption applies to the entire drive, and all users, including non-admins, will be subject to the encryption settings.
- User Experience: If the drive is configured to automatically unlock, users should not experience any disruption in accessing the drive. However, if manual unlocking is required, users will need to provide the necessary credentials (e.g., BitLocker password) to access the drive.
In summary, enabling BitLocker on a machine encrypts the drive for all users. The encryption settings are not specific to individual users but apply to the drive itself.
