Bitlocker To Go is an encryption tool used by SGUL to protect your USB storage devices. You can log on and work with your files normally, but BitLocker can help block hackers from accessing your drive by removing it from your computer and installing it in a different computer. All drives used to store SGUL data are required to be encrypted using Bitlocker.
When you add new files to a drive that is encrypted with BitLocker, BitLocker encrypts them automatically. Files remain encrypted only while they are stored in the encrypted drive. Files copied to another drive or computer are decrypted.
Follow the instructions below or view our FAQs for help in encrypting your USB flash drive or portable external drive.
Note: USB pen drives should not be used as a primary / sole backup and due to the inherent unreliability of USB pen drives, we will not be liable for pen drives broken directly or indirectly by the Bitlocker To Go process.
Enabling BitLocker on a USB flash drive
When you insert a non-encrypted USB device into your SGUL machine, you will receive a prompt to encrypt the drive. This will take some time (depending on the amount stored on the USB already it could take an hour or more).
Should you miss this prompt, or wish to trigger the process manually:
- Insert the USB flash drive, click the Windows Start button, and then search for and select “Control Panel”.
- Click on “BitLocker Drive Encryption”, locate your removable drive and click “Turn on BitLocker”.
- Select “Use A Password To Unlock This Drive.” You will be prompted for a password to unlock the drive. Passwords allow a drive to be unlocked in any location and to be shared with other people.
- Click “Next”.
- Click “Save The Recovery Key To A File”.
- This key is used to open the drive if you forget the password.
- Choose a safe location and then click 'Save'.
- You can now print the recovery key if you want to. When you have finished, click “Next”.
- Click 'Start Encrypting'. Do not remove the USB flash drive until the encryption process is complete.
- Click 'Close': Your encrypted drive will be open and you will be able to add your files to it.
How to read a Bitlocker encrypted USB or external drive
Bitlocker is a Windows based encryption service. For guidance on how to open a Bitlocker USB on a Mac, please see the FAQ.
- Insert the encrypted drive into a USB slot on a computer running Windows 7/10. Enter the password into the box that appears when you select the drive, to unlock it.
- Optionally, select “Automatically Unlock On This Computer From Now On” to save the password in an encrypted file on the computer’s system volume so you do not need to put the password in each time on this PC.
- Finally, click 'Unlock' to unlock the volume so that you can use it.