How-to Encrypt a USB Drive, External Hard Drive, Memory Card, Laptop, or Computer in Windows.
Episode #8-23 released on January 28, 2018
Admit it, many of you have files of a sensitive nature on your computer, laptop, portable hard drive, USB key, etc. Admit it, you would be devastated if anyone ever saw those files, pictures, videos, etc., especially family, friends, lovers, maybe even strangers. And, admit it, you’d love to be able to prevent anyone from accessing those files, whether you lost your device, were robbed, hacked, or maybe even died. There is a simple method of creating a drive that is both safer to store files in and encrypted. This means you will finally know that no one can access those files, regardless of how they obtained it. And, best of all, it is built into every Windows operating system since Windows 7, nothing to install, yourself.
For anyone wondering before I begin, what I think about a family member accessing files on your hard drive after you died, I whole heartedly believe that, like the person, the files should be erased, deleted, destroyed. In life, privacy is what makes it possible for you to be human, and this should be respected in death, as well.
First, you will need a hard drive, USB key, memory card, etc. that you want to encrypt, keeping in mind that this drive must be connected to a Windows 7 or greater computer to access the files.
Second, and only once, the storage drive in question is connected to your computer, right click the drive and select Turn on BitLocker.
Third, select password to unlock the drive. And, enter a password. Click Next.
Fourth, back up your recovery key, not optional for Microsoft, but I do delete the file to make sure no one can access my drives, in case they find this file. Once, you are done this, click next. Click the option that pertains to you. Since, you could encrypt the entire drive of a computer, or laptop, you must decide which option is best for you. Encrypt used disk space only or encrypt entire drive.
Fifth, you have the option for compatible, which will allow you to connect to any device, or new encryption mode, which only allows for the drive to be opened for the computer you will be doing this with. Choose wisely. However, files that you are encrypting are probably the type that you should be prepared to never have access to ever again, and not the kind that should have a back up to begin with. So, pictures or videos that should be private, documents that can be used to compromise you or your life, etc.
Finally, after you pressed next, you will have the option to cancel the operation, or Start Encrypting. Encryption duration will depend on the size of drive, number of documents, the computer itself, and type of hardware involved like RAM, CPU, etc.
Now, every time you want to access the file, you will be required to enter the password. Keep in mind, auto start from Windows will not be able to access the drive, it will try, fail, and close the File explorer, so you must access the file explorer yourself, and then open the drive yourself. You will be prompted to enter the password when it is required to access the drive.
Host : Steve Smith | Music : | Editor : Steve Smith | Producer : Zed Axis Dot Net