Steps to Turn on External Drive Encryption for Windows using BitLocker

Data will be lost when a drive is encrypted and the password is forgotten.
Data Recovery is not possible when data is encrypted.

Not all versions of Windows can encrypt an external drive. Third-party software is needed when Windows does not come with Bitlocker.

1. Connect the drive to Windows.


2. Open This PC.
   Right-click the drive.
   Click Turn on Bitlocker.
   
   

   



3. Check Use a password to unlock the drive.
   Enter the password.
   Re-enter the password.
   Click Next.
   
   

   Record the password and put it in a secure place.

   
   

   



4. Select Encrypt entire drive.
   Click Next.
   
   

   



5. Click Start encrypting.
   
   

   



6. Click Close.
   
   

   

The password will need to be entered the next time the drive is plugged in.