BitLocker To Go: Encrypt Flash Drives in Windows 7

Securing Portable Data with BitLocker To Go

Introduced initially in Windows Vista, the BitLocker feature provides full disk encryption. Windows 7 expanded upon this functionality with BitLocker To Go, enabling encryption for portable USB flash drives.

Encrypting Your USB Drive

To begin, locate the USB flash drive you wish to protect within My Computer. Right-click on the drive and select the "Turn on BitLocker" option.

Following initialization, you will be prompted to create a password for unlocking the drive. Alternatively, a Smartcard can be utilized, particularly within corporate environments; consult your IT department for setup assistance.

Next, the system will request that you store a recovery key. This key is crucial for regaining access should you forget your password or lose your Smartcard. Ensure the recovery key is saved to a location separate from the encrypted drive itself.

After successfully saving the recovery key, a confirmation message will appear. You are now prepared to initiate the encryption process by clicking the "Start Encrypting" button.

During encryption, a progress screen will be displayed, indicating the status of the operation.

Upon completion, a successful encryption message will be shown. The drive icon will change to visually confirm its BitLocker encryption status.

The drive icon will reflect its encrypted state; a gold lock signifies a locked drive, while a gray lock indicates an unlocked drive.

Right-clicking on the drive icon reveals options for managing the BitLocker encryption settings.

Accessing the Encrypted Drive

When connecting the encrypted drive to a Windows 7 computer, you will be prompted to enter your password to access its contents. You can also configure the drive to remain unlocked on specific machines for future use.

BitLocker To Go is also compatible with Windows Vista and Windows XP. When connected to an XP machine, you will be prompted for your password to launch the BitLocker To Go Reader, which is automatically installed on the drive by Windows 7.

The BitLocker To Go Reader functions as a file navigation utility, similar to Windows Explorer, allowing you to view the drive's contents.

With a BitLocker encrypted drive, you can only read and copy files. Modifying or adding files requires a Windows 7 system.

Benefits of BitLocker To Go

This feature offers a convenient method for safeguarding sensitive data stored on USB flash drives. Currently, this functionality is available to users of Windows 7 RC1 Ultimate.

Using BitLocker To Go provides a robust layer of security for your portable data, protecting it from unauthorized access.