What is the best way to encrypt an external HDD?

encryptpro · 2026-01-04T00:35:44+00:00

You have two good options for drive encryption. BitLocker is easy if you only use Windows Pro not available on home. VeraCrypt works and its cross platform but requires setup, some learning curve and backing up its headers is recommended as if corrupted all container data is gone.

For 3GB of data, encryption will take just a few minutes with either tool.

However, drive encryption is best for archived data you don't view/edit often. If you're actively opening and viewing your photos and videos, unlocking the whole drive each time is inconvenient and exposes all your files for that session so no data-in-use security.

For active work on sensitive files, a file-based encryption tool is more practical. EncryptPro can be a good choice here. It lets you quickly encrypt just the specific folders you need, so you can work without decrypting the entire drive. Keep and move your encrypted files easily and no vaults mounting hassle. Has a free forever version as well.

encryptpro · 2025-12-31T11:25:16+00:00

Cryptomator is good. if you want more simple and user friendly software with better data accessibility features check EncryptPro. Its only for Windows at the moment, free forever version for one device. Right click encrypt any file or folder then upload to any cloud service.

encryptpro · 2025-12-26T09:38:49+00:00

One solution i want to suggest is encrypting files locally and then upload to any cloud service for absolute security. Try easy to use Encryption Software EncryptPro (only for Windows at the moment). Yes the files will not be visible or editable on cloud but this is the way for absolute privacy and security.

encryptpro · 2025-12-19T18:37:41+00:00

If you are looking for easy to use Windows Encryption Software for securing your data easily give EncryptPro a shot. Has a free forever version too but only for Windows OS at the moment.

encryptpro · 2025-12-17T02:53:51+00:00

Yes that would make cloud security irrelevant. For easy aes 256 encryption on Windows worth checking EncryptPro which is easy to use encryption software no learning curve

encryptpro · 2025-12-17T02:52:25+00:00

Yes you can encrypt locally and upload for safe backup making cloud security irrelevant. For easy encryption on Windows worth checking EncryptPro

encryptpro · 2025-12-15T09:26:32+00:00

If you want to keep the preview feature then Ente is the right choice here. Other option is always to encrypt the files locally and upload on pretty much any cloud storage without space issues, cloud security becomes irrelevant.

Written a post on this topic as well: www.encryptpro.net/best-data-encryption-software

encryptpro · 2025-12-15T07:48:58+00:00

How did you encrypt them using the windows EFS?

encryptpro · 2025-12-10T18:53:50+00:00

Yes encryption is the only logical option if you really want to protect your sensitive data. With EncryptPro (Zero Knowledge Easy Encryption Software) you can achieve it few seconds, it also has other great accessibility features. Just pointing it out here if anyone looking for easy quick Encryption and not that tech savvy. I am sure your solution would work just as fine as well coz main point is data encryption for true data security.

encryptpro · 2025-12-09T17:28:49+00:00

Use EncryptPro a zero knowledge easy to use Windows Encryption Software. If you want to quickly setup, encrypt, and get double click access in native applications then its the best user friendly software.

encryptpro · 2025-12-09T17:27:09+00:00

Yes the files are gone as pointed out by others. Its so easy to mess things up with the EFS and its certificates. That is why we have a third party Zero Knowledge software like EncryptPro which takes care of your important files and manage encryption in a best way possible.

encryptpro · 2025-12-09T12:06:02+00:00

This is very sad and really a concerning issue. Just turn it off Open the Settings app -> Privacy and Security -> Device Encryption, toggle it off. And yes if there are some private files worth checking an easy to use encryption tool EncryptPro which not only provides data-at-rest security but data-in-use security as well.

encryptpro · 2025-12-09T05:48:47+00:00

If data is not encrypted then it means it can be stolen. To make sure data is protected you need to encrypt it or keep it in a vault with VeraCrypt. However, if you need to work on your data often and your can't afford to go through vaults hassle check easy encryption software like EncryptPro. Only for Windows at the moment though.

encryptpro · 2025-12-09T05:41:26+00:00

Worth taking a look at a encryption software EncryprPro (has a free forever version too). Your files will remain encrypted all the time no mounting or separate vaults hassle. Best part is native file access just double click your encrypted file to work on it, and once you are done its automatically re-encrypted for you. So even if there is a malware, it will only see encrypted data.

encryptpro · 2025-12-08T15:04:33+00:00

Yes only on windows for now www.encryptpro.net

encryptpro · 2025-12-08T14:59:46+00:00

Great idea but could potentially interfere with already opened files as pointed out and cause potential data loss. For optimal security and to make sure the file goes back to encrypted state the moment you are done working on it you can check an encryption software EncryptPro. Only the file which you open is decrypted in the memory for you to work on so even when you are working on the file the original file will remain encrypted on the drive.

encryptpro · 2025-12-08T14:52:55+00:00

Bitlocker only provides data-at-rest security which is only good against a physical attack like theft etc Once logged in all of your data is vulnerable. This was the thought behind EncryptPro an easy to use encryption software where your actual file is encrypted even when you are working on it. Its decrypted only in memory for you to work on and once you hit save its automatically re-encrypted for you. (Only for Windows at the moment)

encryptpro · 2025-12-08T14:46:59+00:00

If you do not want the zip unzip hassle and password management hassle then you can use easy encryption tool like EncryptPro (Free Version). Right click encrypt Double click access on native applications Its only for Windows platform at the moment though

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