· Scott Price · 2 min read
How to encrypt a USB drive
Use BitLocker to secure the contents of a removable drive
This guide provides a straightforward method for encrypting a USB drive using BitLocker, ensuring your sensitive data is protected from unauthorized access. By following the steps, you can create a secure password and back up a recovery key, making it easier to regain access if needed.
1. Open the Windows file explorer and navigate to “This PC”
2. Right click on the USB drive
3. Click “Show more options”
4. Click “Turn on BitLocker”
5. Click “Use a password to unlock the drive”
6. Generate a secure, unique password using a tool such as the password generator included in BitWarden. Be sure to keep this password in a secure location where you can access it in the future.
7. Enter your password then click “Next”.
8. Click “Save to your Microsoft account” to back up a recovery key to be used in the event of you losing your password.
9. Click “Next”
10. Select “Encrypt only disk space used” then click “Next”
11. Select “Compatible mode” then click “Next”
12. Click “Start encrypting”
13. Wait while the USB is encrypted. This may take a few minutes.
14. Click “Close”. Your USB drive is now encrypted and can only be accessed
Tip: You can now eject your USB. Next time you plug it in, follow the steps below to unlock it.
15. Double-click on the USB drive
16. A password box will appear
17. Click “More options”
Alert: Only select “Automatically unlock on this PC” if you are using a PC that you control and trust.
18. Click “Automatically unlock on this PC”
19. Enter the password you set in the previous steps and click “Unlock”
