For almost a decade Windows has quietly enabled BitLocker (or “Device Encryption”) automatically on new devices. Probably without the owner’s knowledge. BitLocker is like a protective case around your data, with a padlock guarding the contents. The padlock is automatically ‘closed’ by signing into a Microsoft account. A 48‑digit recovery ‘key’ for the padlock should be uploaded to that Microsoft account when the process finishes. The daily opening and closing of the secure case is…