How to encrypt data on Windows and macOS

Windows 10 Pro

The Pro version of the Tens has a built-in drive encryption tool called BitLocker. It's easy to use.

• Open your disk, flash drive or other storage device in "Explorer".
• On the toolbar, click Disk Tools → BitLocker → Turn on BitLocker.
• Choose what to use for disk encryption - a password or a key card, if you have one.
• BitLocker prompts you to save the decryption key file if you forget your password or lose your card. Save it to your Microsoft account, file or print.
• Click "Encrypt Entire Drive" → "Next" → "Compatibility Mode" → "Next" → "Start Encryption".

Wait a moment and the drive will be encrypted.

Windows 10 Home

There is no BitLocker in Windows 10 home. You can use a third-party solution instead. VeraCrypt open source.

• Install and open VeraCrypt.
• From the Volumes menu, click Create New Volume → Encrypt Non-System Partition / Disk → VeraCrypt Plain Volume, select the desired media.
• Click "Create encrypted volume and format".
• Click "Next" until you are prompted for a password.
• Move your mouse to generate random data for encryption.
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• Click "Next" and wait while the program formats and encrypts the disk - this can take quite a long time. If you check the "Quick format" checkbox, the process will go faster, but the data from the flash drive can be recovered.

Since the disk will be formatted, you must first encrypt it, and then copy the files there.

macOS

MacOS has a tool called FireVault that can encrypt both local Mac drives and external media.

• Right-click the desired media on the Finder song and click "Encrypt."
• Create and enter a password and hint.
• Click "Encrypt Disk".

That's all. Now, in order to access the encrypted files, you will need to enter a password.

Be careful and never turn off the power of your computer or external media during the encryption process, otherwise you risk damaging your data. And don't forget about backups.