How to Encrypt a Flash Drive on Windows using BitLocker

USB flash drives are convenient and affordable for storing and transferring files, but they can be easily lost or stolen, making your data vulnerable. They are also susceptible to malware attacks that damage your files or other devices. Encrypting your flash drive is essential to protect your data from unauthorised access and cyber-attacks. Despite the rise of cloud storage, flash drives remain popular for backing up data and transferring files, especially with slow internet connections. Encryption secures your data by converting it into an unreadable format that can only be accessed with a password or decryption key.

1. Search for BitLocker in the start/search menu.

2. The Bitlocker drive encryption window should open. Navigate to the removable drive and click Turn on BitLocker.

3. Select use a password and set a preferred password for encryption.

4. Select the backup option for the recovery key. The simplest way is to save it as a file.

5. Keep other settings as default (or as necessary)

6. After all settings are confirmed, click start encryption.

7. Once complete, your removable drive should look like the one below when unlocked.

Opening a locked encrypted drive will prompt a window like below. You can click “Automatically unlock on this PC” if you trust the device.