Right-click the 'Trash' icon on your computer and select 'Empty.' Right-click the thumb drive in the Explorer window and select 'Properties' and make a note of the amount of free space on the drive.ĭownload and install a free encryption software such as FreeOTFE or TrueCrypt onto your computer. Copy the files in the thumb drive to your desktop, then delete the files on the thumb drive. Insert the thumb drive into a USB port on your computer. After encryption, you will be required to enter your password to access the thumb drive. Click 'Next.'Ĭlick the 'Start Encrypting' button when you are ready to encrypt the thumb drive. You can save it as a file on your computer or print a copy to store elsewhere. Should you lose or forget your password, this recovery key will let you access your thumb drive. If necessary, write it down and store it in a secure location away from your computer and away from where you normally store your thumb drive.Ĭlick 'Next.' BitLocker offers you a choice in storing your recovery key. Confirm your password by typing it again in the second password field. Type a password containing both upper and lowercase letters, numbers, spaces and symbols into the Password text field. Select 'Use a Password to Unlock This Drive.' If you have a smart card and know how to use it, you can select the smart card option. When initialization is complete, a new window will ask you to select password protection or smart card protection. Wait for BitLocker to initialize the drive. The BitLocker Drive Encryption window opens. Select 'Turn on BitLocker' from the drop-down menu. Right-click the thumb drive, identified as a 'Removable Disk' in the Explorer window.

Encrypt a flash drive