Encrypt and Password Protect USB Drive with BitLocker in Windows 7

USB Flash Drives are a must have gadget for computer users as this is the most convenient way to carry data. This convenience comes with security issues as well. If you are carrying some important presentations, financial data, marketing campaigns data or other important files then I would recommend to password protect the same. Once you will password protect your flash drive, it will ask for the set password when someone will try to open the drive on other computer.

For more security and protection, you can encrypt the data inside the drive so that no one can just copy and browse your files on his or her computer. There are lot many freeware available for password protection and encryption of USB Drives, but I recommend using the in-build encryption and protection application available in Windows 7 i.e. BitLocker. If you are having Windows 7 Ultimate version installed on your computer, you can utilize the BitLocker application available in Windows. You can encrypt and protect each and every drive on your Hard Disk and enjoy the safe and secured browsing.

 BitLocker works with TPM (Trusted Platform Module) installed your computer’s motherboard and secure the data on your hard disk. TPM is a small chip which can store cryptographic keys and can help Windows verify the security check before boot. If your computer is having TPM and you encrypt the drives on hard disk with BitLocker, no one canuse your hard disk on other computer by just detaching that from your computer. That means, the hard disk will only work on your computer unless or until you unlock or turn off the BitLocker from Windows.

If you want to have that kind of security in your USB Flash Drive, you can use BitLocker To Go and protect the data on Flash Drive. For USB Flash Drives, you just need to do the encryption and password protection as you may need to use the drive on other computers. That’s why you will get option to encrypt such devices with “BitLocker To Go”.

On next window, you will be asked to provide the password for protected data in Flash Drive.

Note: BitLocker To Go doesn’t require TPM. BitLocker is also available in Windows Vista Ultimate.

If you are having any other version of Windows 7 like Home Premium, Basic, Professional etc. then you can use free open source encryption software like TrueCrypt. I would recommend to have the password printed on small paper and have the same in your pocket (probably the wallet). This is how you can password protect the USB drive data and keep it safe from others.