The Windows BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool and the Secure Online Key Backup were announced at this year’s CES conference in Las Vegas. These two downloads will be the second set of Windows Ultimate Extras available to those running the Ultimate Edition of Windows Vista.

• Windows BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool - this tool allows you to configure your hard drive so that BitLocker (which is already installed within Vista) will work on your computer. BitLocker was originally designed for business users and enterprise users and can be difficult to set up for novice users - this utility will simplify the process and ensure home users can have the same security. This tool will help you prepare for BitLocker which encrypts absolutely everything on your hard drive so it is almost impossible to access without authorisation; if your computer gets stolen or lost, only you with your key can unlock it, protecting your computer from data theft.
• Secure Online Key Backup - this tool will backup your BitLocker key and your EFS recovery certificates (enables you to decrypt your encrypted files) to your Digital Locker which is a secure, online and safe Microsoft website of which only you have access to.

(courtesy of the Windows Ultimate Blog)