Windows External Hard Drive Encryption

Generally speaking there are 2 methods.

Windows external hard drive encryption.

Encryption of the entire removable drive. However microsoft still restricts bitlocker to professional enterprise and education editions of windows 10. Veracrypt is the free and powerful third party encryption software for windows that can help protect external hard drive with password. It adds enhanced security to the algorithms used for system and partition encryption.

Microsoft s bitlocker encryption tool has been part of windows for several versions now and it s generally well regarded. Bitlocker which comes with select versions of windows the non home versions can also be used to secure usb or external drives. Steps about how to use bitlocker to encrypt external hard drive. Following are the steps to encrypt external hard drive windows 10.

When the installation is complete launch this program and connect your external hard drive to your computer. This is the ideal choice if you need to access files from many different computers or when sharing is required. If you prefer to pay check out the 12 99 encryptstick which. Download and install veracrypt on your windows 10 device.

Encryption of selected files and or folders. How to encrypt external hard drives. Usually windows 10 already has bitlocker and it introduces a brand new encryption method xts aes which gives a better performance than regular aes used in windows 7 and 8. Select the target external hard drive and then click turn on bitlocker.

It can be used to password protect usb drives or any other external drives on windows 10. Insert the target external hard drive click start and then type bitlocker.