BitLocker To Go User Guide: Easily Encrypt Mobile Storage Devices

This article will guide you on how to use the BitLocker To Go function to encrypt mobile storage devices, such as USB flash drives, SD cards, TF cards or mobile hard drives, in Windows 11 or Windows 10 systems, thereby effectively protecting data security.

What is BitLocker To Go

BitLocker To Go is a security feature in Windows systems that can encrypt "removable storage devices" to protect data security.

Benefits of BitLocker To Go

• Strong encryption: Using AES-128 or XTS-AES-256 algorithm to provide strong protection for your data.
• Easy to operate: Encrypt or unlock in just a few steps.
• High security: Even if the device is lost or stolen, your data cannot be accessed.

Conditions of Use

• Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.
• File system: The storage device format is NTFS, FAT16, FAT32 or exFAT.
• Free space: At least 250MB of free space.
• Active partition: The storage device must be set as an active partition.

BitLocker To Go functionality is independent of operating system version. For example, if you use BitLocker to encrypt a USB flash drive in Windows 11, the encrypted USB flash drive can also be used normally on Windows 10, and vice versa. Whether unlocked using a password or recovery key, newly added content is automatically encrypted.

The difference between BitLocker To Go and BitLocker

• Usage scenarios: BitLocker is mainly used for internal disks; while BitLocker To Go is specially used to encrypt removable storage devices, such as U disks, SD cards, TF cards and mobile hard drives.
• Working mode: BitLocker is automatically activated when the system starts and provides continuous protection; BitLocker To Go is only activated when the storage device is accessed. After the device is ejected, the BitLocker To Go service will stop.

Function comparison

characteristic	BitLocker	BitLocker To Go
Applicable scene	Internal disk	Mobile storage device
Modify boot sector	yes	no
Operating mode	continued	On demand

How to use BitLocker To Go

Encrypted USB disk

In Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can encrypt a USB drive using BitLocker To Go by following these steps:

1Use the Windows E shortcut key to open "File Explorer".

2 Find the USB flash drive in "This PC", right-click and select "Enable BitLocker".

Enable BitLocker

There are 3 unlocking methods to choose from: using "password" or "smart card". For ordinary users, smart cards are not common, so we use passwords as an example. Please set a strong password, making sure it contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and click "Next."

Set BitLocker to Go unlock password

4BitLocker will prompt you to choose how to save the "Recovery Key". It is recommended to select all options to ensure the security of your keys:

• Save to Microsoft Account
• Save to file
• Print Recovery Key

Save BitLocker Recovery Key

5Next, select the encryption range according to your actual situation. If the USB flash drive is new or has no data, it is recommended to select "Encrypt used disk space only"; otherwise, it is recommended to select "Encrypt entire drive".

Select encryption range

6Select encryption mode. If you only use the USB flash drive on Windows 10 1511 or newer, select "New Encryption Mode" (XTS-AES); if you need to use it on an older version of Windows, select "Compatibility Mode".

Select encryption mode

7Click "Start Encryption" and wait for the process to complete. After encryption, a small lock will be displayed on the USB flash drive icon to indicate that it has been encrypted.

Click to start encryption

Encrypted small lock icon

Unlock U disk

1 Insert the USB flash drive into the computer and use the Windows E shortcut key to open the "File Explorer".

2 Find the USB flash drive in "This PC", right-click and select "Unlock Drive".

Select Unlock Drive

3 Enter your password or recovery key in the pop-up window.

4 (Optional) You can check "Automatically unlock on this computer" to avoid having to verify your password every time.

Unlock BitLocker to Go encrypted drive

5 Click "Unlock" to access the drive contents.

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