| In previous posts I demonstrated ‘How to install TrueCrypt‘, How to encrypt a USB memory stick using TrueCrypt and today I’m going to further the series by showing you How to use a USB memory stick which has been encrypted using TrueCrypt software. |  |
Let’s assume TrueCrypt has been installed, You have completed the encryption process and you now want to use the drive. In my example I have a 1 GB memory stick called ‘Aaron USB’ which shows up in My Computer as ‘Aaron USB (F:)’. When you click on an TrueCrypt encrypted drive in Windows you will get the following message.
When you receive this you will need to click ‘No’ to cancel the warning as you will access your encrypted drive via the TrueCrypt software.
Step 1 - Open the TrueCrypt Software. Go to Start > programs> TrueCrypt> TrueCrypt and click the ‘Select Device’ button.
Step 2 – Select the USB memory stick. In my example it is showing as drive F.
Step 3 – Highlight a drive letter. Select one of the free drive letters from the list. This where TrueCrypt will mount your drive so you can access your files.
Click ‘Mount’
Step 4 – Enter password. This is the password you would have created when you were going through the encryption process. See encryption process here.
Click OK and you will see that the USB memory stick appears in the main TrueCrypt window.
Step 5 – Navigate to your list of drives. In Windows XP this will be ‘My computer’ and for Vista/Win7 it will be ‘Computer’.
The ‘Local Disk (K:)’ icon will now appear.
Double click the icon and you will be able to access all of your files.
To Encrypt/Lock the USB drive once you are finished. Go back to the TrueCrypt interface and select ‘Dismount’
Your files will now be protected again.