--- title: Encrypt a USB Drive description: Adding encryption to a USB drive gives it a security cloak against unwanted guests who may pick them up. If you travel frequently, this can be a great piece of mind. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/encrypt-a-usb-drive#main-content) [![Sittadel-Logo-Icon-Slim-Large-Square-Green-Transparent copy](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sittadel-Logo-Icon-Slim-Large-Square-Green-Transparent%20copy.png?width=55&height=55&name=Sittadel-Logo-Icon-Slim-Large-Square-Green-Transparent%20copy.png)](https://sittadel.com/) - [About Sittadel](https://sittadel.com/about/) - [Capabilities](https://sittadel.com/capabilities/microsoft-office365-azure-security/) Show submenu for Capabilities - [Microsoft Security Architecture](https://sittadel.com/capabilities/microsoft-office365-azure-security/) - [Detection & Response](https://sittadel.com/capabilities/managed-detection-and-response/) - [Employee Training](https://sittadel.com/capabilities/security-awareness-training/) - [Security Risk Advisors](https://sittadel.com/capabilities/virtual-information-security-officer/) - [Resources](https://sittadel.com/resources/) - [Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [About Sittadel](https://sittadel.com/about/) - [Capabilities](https://sittadel.com/capabilities/microsoft-office365-azure-security/) Show submenu for Capabilities - [Microsoft Security Architecture](https://sittadel.com/capabilities/microsoft-office365-azure-security/) - [Detection & Response](https://sittadel.com/capabilities/managed-detection-and-response/) - [Employee Training](https://sittadel.com/capabilities/security-awareness-training/) - [Security Risk Advisors](https://sittadel.com/capabilities/virtual-information-security-officer/) - [Resources](https://sittadel.com/resources/) - [Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/) - [Get Sittadel](https://sittadel.com/start/) [Get Sittadel](https://sittadel.com/start/) Find answers to your security questions. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Sittadel Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [UserOps](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/userops?hsLang=en) 3. [Devices](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/userops?hsLang=en#devices) # Encrypt a USB Drive ## Adding encryption to a USB drive gives it a security cloak against unwanted guests who may pick them up. If you travel frequently, this can be a great piece of mind. ### **Making Your USB Drives Tiny Security Vaults** Think of USB drives as tiny vaults. Without a lock, anyone can peek inside. If your USB just sits on your desk, that might be okay. But if you're tucking important secrets inside or if it travels in your bag, you might want to lock it up. That's where encryption comes in – it's like a secret handshake to see what's inside. If ever you want to remove that handshake, you can, too.  This guide will accomplish the following: - Add a Lock to Your USB Drive (Encrypt) - Access a Protected USB Drive - Remove a Lock from Your USB Drive (Decrypt) *Procedure Scope*: **Users** *Required Group Membership*: **N/A** ### **Add a Lock to Your USB Drive (Encrypt)** 1. On your device, open the **File Explorer** program. **![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-05-09-3099-PM.png?width=474&height=450&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-05-09-3099-PM.png)** 2. Click **This PC** from the lefthand side of the file explorer window. In the pane on the right, find the USB drive you want to protect; **right-click** the drive.  **![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-05-33-2668-PM.png?width=670&height=323&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-05-33-2668-PM.png)** 3. Click **Turn on BitLocker.** For Windows 11 devices, click **Show More Options** first. **![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-05-53-4043-PM.png?width=588&height=450&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-05-53-4043-PM.png)** 4. On the next screen, click **Use Password to Unlock the Drive.** Enter the password in the boxes below, followed by clicking **Next.** **Note:** The password you enter here will be used to unlock the drive whenever you want to access it.  **![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-06-10-8373-PM.png?width=570&height=450&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-06-10-8373-PM.png)** 5. You'll want a backup plan in case you forget that password. Choose a spot to save this recovery key. An easy way? Select **Print the Recovery Key**, then save it as a PDF in a hideaway. After hiding it, press **Next**. **![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-06-28-1474-PM.png?width=585&height=450&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-06-28-1474-PM.png)** 6. Select **Encrypt Entire Drive,** followed by **Next.** **![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-06-43-4688-PM.png?width=582&height=450&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-06-43-4688-PM.png)** 7. Sit tight! Your USB is being encrypted. Larger drives might need a coffee break. ### **Accessing a Protected USB Drive** 1. On your device, open the **File Explorer** program. ![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-07-11-2813-PM.png?width=473&height=450&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-07-11-2813-PM.png) 2. Click **This PC** from the lefthand side of the file explorer window. In the pane on the right, you'll notice that the newly protected drive has a **Lock Icon**; that's how you know it's protected! **Double-click** on the drive. ![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-07-25-6486-PM.png?width=556&height=475&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-07-25-6486-PM.png) 3. Type in your password. If you trust your computer and want a hassle-free experience, pick **Automatically Unlock on This PC**. **Tip:** If you forget the password, select **Enter Recovery Key** to use the backup that you saved when protecting the drive.  ![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-07-45-4707-PM.png?width=490&height=500&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-07-45-4707-PM.png) 4. You'll know the drive is ready to be accessed when the **Unlocked Icon** comes up. You can now access its contents! ![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-07-57-0042-PM.png?width=334&height=100&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-07-57-0042-PM.png) ### **Remove a Lock from Your USB Drive (Decrypt)** 1. On your device, open the **File Explorer** program. ![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-08-09-5566-PM.png?width=473&height=450&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-08-09-5566-PM.png) 2. Click **This PC** from the lefthand side of the file explorer window. In the pane on the right, look for a drive with the **Lock Icon**. **Right-click** the drive. ![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-08-22-1293-PM.png?width=557&height=476&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-08-22-1293-PM.png) 3. Click **Manage BitLocker.** For Windows 11 devices, click **Show More Options** first. ![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-08-35-8985-PM.png?width=667&height=500&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-08-35-8985-PM.png) 4. Go to the bottom of the list, and hit **Turn Off BitLocker**. ![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-08-50-0885-PM.png?width=638&height=300&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-08-50-0885-PM.png) 5. A small box will appear; click **Turn Off BitLocker.** ![](https://knowledge.sittadel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-09-05-9378-PM.png?width=533&height=250&name=image-png-Feb-28-2024-07-09-05-9378-PM.png) ### That's How You Do It! You've just taught your USB some cool tricks. Remember your password, and keep that backup key in a safe spot. 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