What is a limiting factor of EFS when compared to BitLocke

it only works at the file or folder level

A limiting factor of EFS (Encrypting File System) when compared to BitLocker is that EFS provides file-level encryption, while BitLocker offers full disk encryption. This means that with EFS, only individual files or folders can be encrypted, whereas with BitLocker, the entire hard drive or other storage device can be encrypted.

To determine this limiting factor, we can compare the features and capabilities of EFS and BitLocker:

1. EFS: To use EFS, you need to enable encryption on specific files or folders manually. This process can be time-consuming and might require setting up encryption on each file or folder separately. This file-level encryption approach may not be practical for encrypting an entire hard drive or other storage devices.

2. BitLocker: Unlike EFS, BitLocker is designed for full disk encryption. It encrypts the entire drive or storage device at once, protecting all the data stored on it. BitLocker provides a more convenient and efficient way to encrypt an entire system, including the operating system, system files, and user data.

To summarize, the limiting factor of EFS, in comparison to BitLocker, is that it offers file-level encryption rather than full disk encryption. If you require a comprehensive and efficient way to encrypt an entire storage device, BitLocker would be a better choice. However, if you only need to encrypt specific files or folders, EFS can still be a useful option.