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How to securely store files in Windows

This tutorial will guide you through setting up TrueCrypt, an easy to use and open-source/free encryption utility that allows you to store files in a secure ‘volume’ on your hard drive.

At the end of the TrueCrypt installation, you’ll be prompted to click OK. Go for it.

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When asked if you want to read the Beginner’s Tutorial on using TrueCrypt, click No. This tutorial will guide you through everything.

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Launch TrueCrypt from your start menu, and click the Create Volume button.

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Make sure that Create a standard TrueCrypt volume is selected, and click Next.

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Click the Select File… button.

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Give your encrypted ’storage file’ (volume) a name. Do not select an existing file, or it will be over-written. Click the Save button when you’re done.

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Back at the Volume Location screen, click Next.

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Review the info on the Encryption Options page – but leave the defaults selected unless you’re sure you want to make changes. Click Next.

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Now decide how large you want this encrypted volume to be. If you’re only going to store text files, .doc/.xls or other Office files – you may want to keep this fairly small. I made mine 50MB. Click Next when you’re ready to move on.

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Now enter a password in the spaces provided. The longer and more unique the password (ie. use special characters like @ # $ % * + etc) the better. Again, click Next.

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Now move your mouse around the Volume Format window. You’ll notice that as the cursor moves, the Random Pool changes as well. The cursor movement helps to create a unique value that TrueCrypt will use. After about 30 seconds of mouse shaking, click the Format button.

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And now your encrypted volume will be created. Depending on how large you decided to make the file and how fast your PC is, this can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

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When it’s done, click OK.

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Now you can Exit out of the Wizard.

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Back in the main TrueCrypt window, click the Select File… button.

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Navigate to the file you created back in step 6, select it, and click Open.

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Now pick a drive letter that you want this ‘volume’ to use. I opted for F:, the next available drive letter on my PC. Click Mount.

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Enter your password and click OK.

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Your encrypted volume will mount itself as the drive letter you selected.

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Open “My Computer” and select your newly created drive.

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Now you can copy or move files to this volume, and they’ll be encrypted on the fly.

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Back in TrueCrypt, unmount the drive by clicking the Dismount button.

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Your F: (or whatever letter you selected) drive will disappear. The files stored on that volume are now only accessible by re-mounting the volume and entering your password.