Written by
Yuri ZhangUSB flash drives (also known as pendrives) are some of the most common portable storage devices as well as used for transferring or backing up files. However, their small size and convenience make them vulnerable to loss or theft.
Adding password is one of the not-bad denfensive measure. Now let's dive into how to put a password on your USB flash drive without BitLocker using alternative solutions.
Precaution before putting a password on USB flash drive
Disk encryption software, including DiskCryptor, VeraCrypt, and other full-disk encryption tools, usually erases all data on the USB flash drive during the encryption process.
What about the other encryption methods (file-based)? Not all encryption methods involve reformatting the drive, especially when you're only encrypting specific files rather than the entire drive. If you prefer not to lose data during encryption, file-based encryption tools like 7-Zip or AxCrypt are safer options as they allow you to encrypt specific files without wiping the entire USB drive.
It's easy for us to notice BitLocker typically does not erase data when encrypting a USB drive. If you change your mind to using BitLocker since it's robust and built-in Windows without further ado and trust issues. However, it's only for Windows Pro and Enterprise, iBoysoft DiskGeeker offers a helping hand, it supports BitLocker even in Home version, offering a more concise and streamlined operation.
iBoysoft DiskGeeker also helps to back up data via its cloning function. If you are determined to put a password without BitLocker on your USB drive, keep reading the available password-adding tools and share these insights.
1. Use VeraCrypt for full USB drive encryption
VeraCrypt is a free, open-source disk encryption tool that can encrypt the entire pendrive with a password. It provides strong encryption to protect all the data on the drive, ensuring that unauthorized users cannot access the contents. Here's how:
- Download and install VeraCrypt.
- Plug your USB drive into the USB port.
- Open VeraCrypt and click on Create Volume.
- Select Encrypt a non-system partition/drive to encrypt your pendrive.
- Choose the USB drive from the list of available devices and click Next.
- Choose an encryption algorithm (AES-256 is a strong choice).
- Set a strong password that you'll remember, as it's required to unlock the drive.
- VeraCrypt will format the USB drive and begin the encryption process. Make sure to back up any important data from the drive before proceeding.
After encryption, you'll need VeraCrypt to mount the pendrive and enter the password. Once mounted, the drive will appear in File Explorer.
2. Use 7-Zip for file-based encryption on pendrive
If you don't need to encrypt the entire pendrive but only specific files or folders, 7-Zip offers an easy and lightweight way to create password-protected archives. This is a great method for protecting sensitive files on your pendrive without the complexity of full-drive encryption.
- Download and install 7-Zip.
- Open your pendrive and navigate to the files or folders you want to encrypt.
- Right-click the file or folder and choose 7-Zip > Add to archive....
- Under Encryption, enter a password. Select AES-256 encryption for stronger protection.
- Click OK to create the encrypted archive on your pendrive
To open the encrypted archive, right-click it and select 7-Zip > Open archive. You'll be prompted to enter the password.
3. Use AxCrypt to encrypt specific files on USB flash drive
AxCrypt is another useful tool for encrypting individual files on your USB drive. It's simple to use and provides strong AES encryption for files that require protection.
- Download AxCrypt and install it on your computer.
- Right-click on the file(s) you want to protect on your USB drive and select AxCrypt > Encrypt.
- Enter a strong password to encrypt the file.
To decrypt and access the files, right-click on the encrypted file and select AxCrypt > Decrypt, then enter the password.
4. Use DiskCryptor for full pendrive encryption
DiskCryptor is a free, open-source encryption software that provides full disk encryption, similar to BitLocker. It can be used to encrypt a USB flash drive, ensuring that the entire drive is secured with a password.
- Visit the DiskCryptor website and download the software.
- Insert your USB drive into the computer and open DiskCryptor.
- Right-click on your USB drive in DiskCryptor and choose Encrypt.
- Set your preferred encryption method (AES-256 is a good choice) and enter a password to secure the drive.
- DiskCryptor will begin the encryption process. This will erase all data on the USB drive, so back up any files before proceeding.
To access your encrypted USB drive, open DiskCryptor, select the USB drive, and click Mount. Enter your password to unlock it.
Note 1: The reason encryption software erases data during the encryption is that it needs to completely overwrite the data on the disk with encrypted data. The encryption tools create a secure, encrypted "container" or "volume" on the disk. This process requires reformatting the drive, which effectively removes all files from it.
Note 2: This destructive process is standard for most encryption software. So, in each case, you must back up your data before proceeding with the encryption. If you're encrypting a USB drive, make sure to copy any files you need to another location like your computer's hard drive or a cloud service before starting encryption.
Consider hardware encrypted pendrives for ultimate security
If you're looking for the most secure and hassle-free method to protect your pendrive, consider investing in a hardware-encrypted USB drive. These drives come with built-in encryption, requiring a password to unlock the data. The key advantage is that the encryption happens directly on the drive itself, making it much harder for someone to tamper with the data. Some popular hardware-encrypted pendrives include Kingston IronKey/SanDisk Extreme/Corsair Padlock, etc.
Summary
Securing a USB flash drive with a password is a critical step in protecting your data from unauthorized access. Whether you're using VeraCrypt or DiskCryptor for full disk encryption, 7-Zip or AxCrypt for file-based encryption, or considering a hardware-encrypted pendrive/USB flash drive, there are various methods available depending on your needs.
By all means, always back up your files before encrypting a USB drive whether you're using full disk encryption or file-based encryption. Once the encryption process begins, any data on the drive will be lost unless you have a backup. FYI, also read How to Remove BitLocker from a USB Drive in Windows 7/10/11 and BitLocker vs VeraCrypt: The Good and the Bad.
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