BitLocker To Go is available in Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education, but not in Home editions, where alternatives like VeraCrypt are recommended. 2. To enable it, connect the drive, open File Explorer, right-click the drive, and select "Turn on BitLocker". 3. Set a strong password and save the 48-digit recovery key to your Microsoft account, a file, or print it—never lose it. 4. Choose to encrypt either used space only (faster) or the entire drive (more secure for sensitive data). 5. Select XTS-AES 256-bit for modern systems or compatible mode (XTS-AES 128-bit) for older Windows versions. 6. Start encryption, which runs in the background—do not remove the drive during the process. 7. On other computers, users can access the drive by entering the password on Windows Pro/Home, but only Pro/Enterprise users can modify settings. 8. Non-Windows systems require third-party tools like LibreCrypt or Dislocker to access the data. 9. Optionally, enable auto-unlock on trusted PCs via "Manage BitLocker" for automatic access. 10. To disable BitLocker, right-click the drive, choose "Manage BitLocker", and click "Turn off BitLocker" to decrypt the drive fully. BitLocker To Go provides effective, built-in encryption for removable drives when used with a strong password and securely stored recovery key.

Setting up BitLocker To Go for removable drives in Windows is a straightforward way to protect your data on USB flash drives or external hard drives. Here’s how to do it properly, whether you're using Windows 10 or 11.

Check if Your Windows Version Supports BitLocker

BitLocker To Go is only available in certain editions of Windows:

• ? Available in: Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education
• ? Not available in: Windows 10/11 Home (unless you upgrade or use third-party encryption)

If you're on Windows Home, you won’t see BitLocker options. Consider using VeraCrypt as a free alternative.

Enable BitLocker To Go on a Removable Drive

1. Connect your USB drive or external hard drive to your computer.
2. Open File Explorer and locate the drive under “This PC.”
3. Right-click the removable drive and select "Turn on BitLocker".
   • If this option is missing, your Windows edition doesn’t support BitLocker.
4. Wait a moment while Windows prepares the drive.

Choose How to Unlock the Drive

You’ll be prompted to choose an unlock method:

• ? Use a password (recommended):
  Create a strong password. Avoid simple or reused passwords.
• ? Save a recovery key:
  You’ll be asked to save a 48-digit recovery key. Choose one of these options:
  • Save to your Microsoft account (convenient if you’re signed in)
  • Save to a file (store it securely, not on the encrypted drive)
  • Print the recovery key (good for physical backup)

?? Never lose the recovery key — without it, data recovery is nearly impossible.

Choose Encryption Scope

You’ll be asked whether to encrypt only used space or the entire drive:

• ? Encrypt used disk space only – Faster, good for new drives
• ? Encrypt entire drive – Slower, but more secure for drives with previously deleted sensitive data

For most users, “used space only” is sufficient.

Choose Encryption Mode (For Fixed/External Drives)

If your drive will be used with older Windows versions (e.g., Windows 7), select:

• Compatible mode (XTS-AES 128-bit)
  Otherwise, stick with the default XTS-AES 256-bit for better security.

Start Encryption

Click "Start encrypting".
The time it takes depends on drive size and speed. You can use the drive during encryption, but it happens in the background.

? Tip: Don’t remove the drive during encryption — it could corrupt the process.

Using the Encrypted Drive on Other Computers

• On Windows Pro/Enterprise machines: Plug in the drive, enter the password, and access files.
• On Windows Home machines: You can still read the drive if the user enters the password, but they can’t change BitLocker settings.
• On non-Windows systems (e.g., macOS or Linux): You can’t unlock BitLocker-encrypted drives without third-party tools like LibreCrypt (formerly DiskCryptor) or Dislocker.

Auto-unlock on Trusted PCs (Optional)

If you frequently use the drive on your main PC:

1. Right-click the encrypted drive in File Explorer.
2. Select "Manage BitLocker".
3. Click "Turn on auto-unlock" — it will unlock automatically when connected to this PC.

To disable later: Use “Turn off auto-unlock” from the same menu.

Disable or Remove BitLocker (If Needed)

To turn off BitLocker and decrypt the drive:

1. Right-click the drive → Manage BitLocker
2. Click "Turn off BitLocker"
3. Confirm — decryption may take time

This removes encryption and stores data in plain text again.

BitLocker To Go is one of the easiest built-in ways to secure portable drives in Windows. As long as you use a strong password and keep your recovery key safe, your data stays protected if the drive is lost or stolen.

Basically: plug in, right-click, set a password, back up the key, and encrypt. Not complicated — but very effective.

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