How to Password Protect USB Drive in Windows 10? (2 Easy Methods)

USB flash drives are important for storing and moving data because of their small size and storage capacity. However, they come with risks as well, such as potential data leaks if the drive is lost or mishandled, especially for drives holding important or confidential files.

To enhance data and USB flash drive security, password protection on USB drive is an ideal solution. This article provides practical ways to doing password protect USB drive in Windows 10, whether by password-protecting the entire drive or encrypting specific files and folders. Now, let’s learn to encrypt USB flash drive to ensure the safe storage and transfer of crucial data.

Methods for password-protect USB drive in Windows 10

How do I password protect my USB flash drive? The most common method for password protection on a USB drive is by enabling BitLocker on supported Windows versions. Generally, Windows Pro, Education, and Enterprise editions allow users to enable this feature, while the Home edition is excluded.

If you are a Windows Home user who wants to encrypt a USB drive, you can proceed directly to Method 1. If you are using Pro or higher versions, you can refer to Method 2.

Method 1. Run AOMEI Partition Assistant to create password protect USB drive in Windows 10 Home

The BitLocker function is not available for all Windows users. If Windows 10 (including other versions like Windows 11) Home users wish to encrypt a USB flash drive, they must upgrade to a higher edition with cost at least $99. Fortunately, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional provides you a shortcut that help you easily access to creating a password protect USB drive in Windows 10/11 Home.

This all-in-one toolkit comprises numerous practical features tailored to address computer issues. Its BitLocker function enables Windows Home users to activate this feature, while Windows Pro/Enterprise users can efficiently manage various functions such as backing up the recovery key, changing the password, locking the drive, and turning off BitLocker.

Step 1. Install and open AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Go to the "Tools" section and choose "BitLocker".

Step 2. Pick the drive partition you wish to encrypt and tap on "Turn on BitLocker".

Step 3. Create a password, verify it, and press "Next" to proceed.

Step 4. Decide how to back up your recovery key: either "Save to a file" or "Print the recovery key". Then, click Next to start.

Method 2. Turn on BitLocker in Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise

To password-protect a USB drive in Windows 10, you can choose to encrypt the flash drive using BitLocker. It's a powerful tool in Windows that lets you encrypt both local and removable drives, providing password protection or using smart card passwords for extra security.

However, this feature is only available for Windows 10 Professional and Enterprise editions. If you are a Windows Home user, please refer to the first method.

Step 1. Plug in the USB drive, open File Explorer with Win+E, right-click on the USB drive, and select "Turn on BitLocker".

Step 2. In the appearing window, select how you prefer to unlock the USB drive. It is advisable to tick the "Use a password to unlock the drive" option. Enter your password and click Next to proceed.

Step 3. Afterward, decide how to create a backup for your recovery drive in case of a forgotten password or the loss of your smart card. Options include saving it to your Microsoft account, saving it to a file, or printing the recovery key. You can choose one according to your needs, and click Next to continue.

Step 4. Select the portion of your drive to encrypt. You have two choices: "Encrypt used disk space only" (faster, suitable for new PCs and drives) and "Encrypt entire drive" (slower, but preferable for PCs with drives already in use). Click Next to proceed.

Step 5. Decide on the encryption mode to use. Two options are available, and you can choose either one based on your needs. Click Next to proceed.

Step 6. Following that, carefully review the confirmation message, and click "Start encrypting" to initiate the encryption process for the flash drive.

Now, the USB flash drive is secured with a password. If you plug it into the computer again, you'll receive a warning stating that the drive is BitLocker-protected. Additionally, you'll notice a lock on the USB drive icon. If anyone wants to access the USB drive, he should enter the password first.

Summary

This post shares you 2 methods to password protect USB drive in Windows 10. If you are a Windows Home user, you can run AOMEI Partition Assistant to enable BitLocker.

After using it to learn how to password protect a USB drive in Windows 10, this multifunctional software also supports cloning disk, OS migration, expanding drive space, converting system disk between MBR and GPT. For Windows Server users who want to effectively mange their devices, it offers the AOMEI Partition Assistant Server edition.

AOMEI Partition Assistant also supports The license of Unlimited Edition can be used to activate the program on unlimited Windows PCs and Servers within one company, which is the best cost-effective choice for enterprises. Service providers can choose the AOMEI Partition Assistant Technician to generate revenue by offering paid technical services to clients.