---
title: "Encrypting an External/USB Drive"
canonical: "https://tech.calpoly.edu/space/CPKB/2118451337/Encrypting%20an%20External%2FUSB%20Drive"
format: markdown
---
> ℹ️ - Cal Poly ITS Information Security recommends [OneDrive or SharePoint](https://calpoly.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CPKB/pages/2425177) to store your files instead of external/USB drives.
> ℹ️ - [OneDrive and SharePoint](https://calpoly.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CPKB/pages/2425177) are backed up regularly and provide a lower risk to be compromised.

### **How Do I Encrypt My External/USB Device for Windows Use?**

<details>
<summary>Click to see options and steps to complete encryption...</summary>

When you connect a non-encrypted External/USB storage device to your computer, a BitLocker Drive Encrytion pop-up dialog appears. 

1. Choose →** Encrypt this drive using BitLocker Drive Encryption**
  
2. **Enter and Re-enter a password **you will use to unlock the drive, then click **Next**
  
3. Choose → **Print the recovery key> Print/Save to PDF, **then click **Next.**
  *Click on this image to enlarge the screens/see the highlighting more clearly.*
4. **Open the saved .pdf document **to verify your Bitlocker Drive Encryption recovery key information is generated correctly. * Here is a sample of what that information should look like…*
  
5. Choose **Encrypt entire drive**, then click **Next**.
  
6. Click **Start encrypting**.
  
7. BitLocker displays a progress bar while you wait for the encrypting to be completed.
  
8. Once completed you will see a** small lock shape on the USB Drive icon**. Your Externel/USB drive is now encrypted and ready to store files more securely.
</details>

###   
**Additional Information & Resources Related to Drive Encryption… **

Encryption requirements for external disks are treated differently based on the device platform…  



> ℹ️ - Some exceptions may be allowed for external disks. [Submit an exception request.](https://calpoly.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/group/8/create/30)
> ℹ️ - Once an external device is encrypted, it is **recommended to save your secure passphrase to ****[LastPass](https://calpoly.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CPKB/pages/4259938)** for future retrieval.
> ℹ️ - The official recommendation for file sharing on campus is via [Microsoft OneDrive](https://calpoly.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CPKB/pages/265912329)


---