By Michael | Last Updated
Today, I will recommend a Windows built-in tool called BitLocker for you. It can encrypt not only drive and partition but also container file which includes VHD and VHDX file. You can hardly open if you lost the password or recovery key. Therefore, let's see how to create an encrypted container file with BitLocker in Windows 10.
NOTE: Not all computers are compatible with BitLocker, you can learn more about How to Turn on BitLocker without a Compatible TPM Windows 10 to password protect your drive or partition.
The container file is more flexible than drive because it can be moved between devices and hide when don't need it.
1. Right-click on This PC and select Manage.
2. When the Computer Management window shows you, click on Disk Management the tap on Action and select Create VHD.
3. Click on Browse to choose where to save the VHD file. Then you will require to create a name for it. According to your requirement, you can choose Virtual hard disk format and type. Here I use the default settings and set 2GB for the virtual hard disk size.
4. After that, you can see a new disk as the image below.
5. Right-click on the uninitialized disk and select Initialize Disk.
6. In the Initialize Disk window, select a target disk and check the MBR option. Tap on OK to initialize disk and then format the disk as well.
7. Right-click on the unallocated partition and select New Simple Volume. When finishing the wizard, you need to format the disk before using it.
1. Go back to This PC, right-click on the new disk and choose Turn on BitLocker.
2. Choose how you want to unlock this drive. In this passage, we take a password as an example. Just tap an 8-digital password and click on Next.
3. Decide how to save your recovery key.
4. Check the Compatible mode because of the VHD or VHDX file can be moved from this device.
5. Click on Start encrypting. When complete encryption, we can copy files to the VHD/VHDX container.
1. Right-click on This PC and select Manage.
2. Expand the StorageDisk Management. Locate to the BitLocker encrypted disk then right-click on it and select Detach VHD.
3. When the following image shows you, click on OK. Now you can locate to where VHD/VHDX is stored and move it to your removable device.
NOTE: Once you want to connect with the VHD/VHDX, click on Action Attach.
Is there any way to create an encrypted container file without BitLocker? Sure. All you need is a new folder and iSunshare SafeFile Genius. iSunshare SafeFile Genius is a powerful and easy-to-use encryption tool that enables you to encrypt a specific folder with a password instead of the full drive. Compared with BitLocker, this can be an easier and faster way to protect your files from prying eyes.
Here you can install iSunshare SafeFile Genius on the Computer and follow these steps.
Step 1: Create a new folder as a container and put your files in it.
Step 2: Launch iSunshare SafeFile Genius and click Encrypt option.
Step 3: Click the folder icon to choose the new folder and click Next.
Step 4: Set a password for your folder and click on Encrypt button.
After that, iSunshare SafeFile Genius will create an encrypted container file from the folder. Only when you have a right password, can the encrypted file be decrypted and opened.
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