How to Encrypt a Windows System Drive With VeraCrypt

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Digital data is protected by encryption, a mathematical approach that uses one or more cryptographic methods. Through encryption, the data entered is rendered unintelligible because an algorithm changes the plaintext (original text) into ciphertext (an alternate form of the text).

A binary key or password can be used to decrypt the data when an authorized user needs to read it. This will make ciphertext into plaintext once more, allowing the user to access the original data. Data is converted into ciphertext through encryption using a cypher (an encryption technique) and an encryption key.

A key (the same key for symmetric encryption; a distinct, related value for asymmetric encryption) is used to decode the ciphertext back into the original value once it has been communicated to the receiving party. Since encryption keys function similarly to physical keys, only users who have the appropriate key can “unlock” or decrypt the encrypted data. We have mentioned steps below to Encrypt a Windows System Drive With VeraCrypt

Steps to Encrypt a Windows System Drive With VeraCrypt

Download and Install VeraCrypt on your PC.

When the installation is completed, launch VeraCrypt and from the System menu, select Encrypt System Partition/Drive.

At type of System Encryption options, leave Normal and click Next.

At the Area to Encrypt window, select to Encrypt the whole drive

Select No at Encryption of Host Protected Area options and click Next to continue.

At Number of Operating Systems options, select Single-boot, unless you have installed multiple operating systems (Multi-boot) and click Next to continue.

Leave the default Encryption Options (AES / SHA-256) and click Next.

Now type a strong password* and click Next to continue.

At Collecting Random Data window, move your mouse as randomly as possible within the window to increase the cryptographic strength. When the ‘Randomness’ bar becomes green press Next to continue.

At Keys Generated window, click Next.

At Rescue Disk window, note the path for the VeraCrypt Rescue Disk ISO image and click Next if you wish to create the

Rescue Disk immediately, or select the Skip Rescue Disk verification checkbox to create the Rescue disk later.

At next, VeraCrypt will prompt you to create immediately a VeraCrypt Rescue CD or DVD. Click OK to continue.

Now, place an empty CD or DVD on the disc burner and click the Burn button to create the Vera Crypt Rescue disk or click

Cancel if you want to create the rescue disk later or if don’t own a disc burner.

When the Recue Disk is created click Next.

At the Wipe Mode screen click Next.

At System Encryption Pretest screen, click the Test button in order to verify that everything works correctly.

After booting to Windows, VeraCrypt should inform you that the pretest has been successfully completed. Read carefully the warning on the screen and when done press Encrypt to start the encryption process.

Finally wait until the encryption is completed. The encryption time varies, according the size of the hard drive but you can work at your computer during the process

Final Words

That’s it with our article on how to Encrypt a Windows System Drive With VeraCrypt.  Hard drive encryption is a rather straightforward idea. The data is shielded from anyone who doesn’t have the right password or key by the encryption procedure, which makes use of complex mathematical operations. By adding an additional layer of security, this keeps hackers out. If you send a friend a Word document that has been encrypted, they will first need to decrypt it. Otherwise, they’ll only see some arbitrary nonsense. Unless the person is a skilled mathematician.