How to Encrypt or Decrypt a USB Flash Drive in Windows 11
Abhishek stuck to the Windows operating system ever since he bought the Lenovo G570. As obvious as it is, he loves to write about Windows and Android, the two most common yet fascinating operating systems available to mankind. When he is not drafting a post, he loves to binge OnePiece and whatever Netflix has to offer.
Afam has been a content writer with Guiding Tech Media since August 2023. However, his experience in tech writing dates back to 2018, when he worked as a freelance writer for Make Tech Easier. Over the years, he has grown a reputation for publishing quality guides, reviews, tips, and explainer articles. His work is featured on top websites, including Technical Ustad, Windows Report, and Next of Windows. He has training as a Microsoft Certified Professional and has covered more Microsoft-related guides on these platforms.
How to Encrypt a USB Flash
Using Built-in BitLocker (Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions)
BitLocker is exclusive to Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions and uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to encrypt the data. Windows Home provides BitLocker drive protection. However, it can’t be used to encrypt external USB drives. As such, if you have a Windows Pro or Enterprise account, here’s how to encrypt a USB flash drive:
Step 1:Plug in the USB Flash Drive.
Step 2:Press theWindowskey +Eto open the File Explorer.
Step 3:Right-click on the USB drive. Click on theShow more optionstoggle.
Step 4:Select theTurn on BitLockeroption.
Step 5:Click theUse a password to unlock a drivecheckbox.
Step 6:Create a strong password and click onNext.
Now, you must back up the BitLocker recovery key. Pick at least two options out of the three that the tool offers. Using the Microsoft account and copying the key to another storage device will ensure that you never lose the BitLocker recovery key. Here’s how to do so:
Step 1:Click theSave to your Microsoft accountoption.
Step 2:Click theSave to a fileoption.
Step 3:Browse the PC for an appropriate location or save the file to another USB storage drive. Click on theSavebutton.
Step 4:Click on theNextbutton.
Step 5:Select theEncrypt used disk space onlyoption. Click on theNextbutton.
Step 6:Select theCompatible modeand click onNext.
Step 7:Click on theStart encryptingbutton.
Step 8:Wait for the encryption process to complete. Depending on the size of the data on the USB drive, it can take a while. Then, click on theClosebutton.
Step 9:Press theWindowskey +Eto open the File Explorer. A yellow color lock icon will appear on the USB drive.
Step 10:To access the contents of the USB drive on any PC, double-click on it.
Step 11:Type the BitLocker password you created before encrypting the drive and pressEnter.
The USB drive will be unlocked, and you can access its contents. However, it will remain unlocked until you eject it from your PC.
Using VeraCrypt
If you use the Home version of Windows 11 or 10, you must use a third-party USB encryption app.VeraCryptis a completely free tool to protect the contents of your USB drives. It uses multiple encryption algorithms, including AES, to offer stellar security. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1:Download the VeraCrypt installer file.
Step 2:Launch the setup file and install the app on your PC.
Step 3:Click on theCreate volumebutton.
Step 4:Select theEncrypt a non-system partition/driveoption. Click onNext.
Step 5:ChooseStandard VeraCrypt volumeand click onNext.
Step 6:Select theSelect Devicebutton and pick the USB drive. Click onNext.
Step 7:Select theCreate encrypted volume and format itoption. Before doing so, copy the contents of the USB drive to another location.
Step 8:Keep the encryption standard as default and click onNext.
Step 9:Enter a 20-character password and click onNext.
Step 10:Move the mouse randomly inside the VeraCrypt app window. Once the bar turns green, click on theFormatoption.
Step 11:Click on theYesbutton.
Step 11:Click onOK.
Once done, the utility will create an encrypted and hidden volume on your USB drive. Since it is a virtual volume, you must use VeraCrypt to mount it and then view the data inside. Here’s how:
Step 1:Launch VeraCrypt.
Step 2:Select an unused drive letter from the list. Click on theAuto-Mount Devicesbutton.
Step 3:Type the password and click on theOKbutton.
Step 4:After the tool mounts the volume, double-click on it to open it in a File Explorer window.
Step 5:Copy and manipulate the data and close the File Explorer.
Step 6:Switch to VeraCrypt. Right-click on the volume and select theDismountoption.
How to Decrypt a USB Flash
Using Built-in BitLocker (Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions)
Repeat the following steps to remove the BitLocker encryption from the USB drive:
Step 1:Press theWindowskey +Eto open the File Explorer.
Step 2:Right-click on the USB drive. Click on theShow more options.
Step 3:Select theManage BitLockeroption.
Step 4:Click on theTurn off BitLockeroption.
Step 5:Click on theTurn off BitLockerbutton.
Step 6:Wait for the decryption to complete. Click on theClosebutton.
Once done, both BitLocker encryption and password protection will be disabled on the USB drive.
Using VeraCrypt
If you don’t want to use encryption, you must decrypt the USB drive. Here’s how:
Step 1:Mount the USB drive in VeraCrypt, as explained previously.
Step 2:Right-click on the mounted drive and select thePermanently Decryptoption.
Step 3:Click on theYesbutton.
Step 4:Enter the password and click onNext.
Step 5:Click on theDecryptbutton.
Step 6:Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the decryption process.
Was this helpful?
Last updated on 30 August, 2024
Leave a ReplyCancel reply
Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked*
Name*
Email*
Comment*
Δ
Read Next
The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.
More in Windows
Why You Need to Activate Windows 10 on Your Computer: GT Explains
9 Multitasking Tips and Tricks on Windows 11
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER
Get Guiding Tech articles delivered to your inbox.
© 2024 Guiding Tech Media. All Rights Reserved.
