Top 5 Best Free Windows Disk Encryption Software

by Ramesh Natarajan on August 12, 2014

Disk encryption software is specifically designed to protect the data which is stored on a disk drive, using the technique ‘disk encryption’. This allows you to encrypt the data on your hard drive only accessible when you enter the authorisation code. This is used most commonly on laptops and flash drives, to protect information when on the go. This protects your data from being accessed by people who should not see it, also it means that if you lose your data nobody can decrypt the information and read it without the password to enter it – it is one of the most secure ways to lock up your information so only eyes that should see it, do. Here is five disk encryption software that are easily downloadable;

1. TrueCrypt

TrueCrypt is one of the most commonly used open-source encryption software available. It is completely free to use and downloadable from the website. It gives you the chance to create a “virtual” encrypted disk, and then mount it as if it were a real disk. It can also encrypt USB devices and flash drives, can encrypt your Windows folder too, to avoid any hackers getting in and breaking your computer totally.

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Pros: In the background it works in parallel mode, which means data can be accessed, edited and saved as quickly on the encrypted file
Cons: It can be a little daunting to learn, it is more designed for experts.
OS: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP and Vista (32 and 64-bit)

2. Cryptainer LE

Cryptainer LE is a go-to solution for data encryption on any Windows PC. It has arguable the easiest to use UI of any software on the list, and allows you to create an encrypted disk drive on media like a USB drive, and also allows password protection. It also is set up to work with Windows keyboard shortcuts like Copy & Paste. It also allows for secure e-mail transfer of encrypted files.

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Pros: Powerful 448-bit encryption, making it extremely safe to use.
OS: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP

3. DiskCryptor

DiskCryptor provided support for AES, Twofish and Serpent encryption algorithims, as well as full support for dynamic disks, as well as RAID drives. It has a wealth of configuration options, allowing you to optimise the software to your very needs, it also lets you boot up an encrypted OS and encryption for multi-boot. It fully supports USB drives and the like, it also has high performance rating to the point where you would not even know that there is encryption activated. However, the main encryption system cannot be converted into a dynamic partition, which can mean breaking your OS should you try and change to dynamic after encryption.

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OS: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP and Vista (32 and 64-bit)

4. Dekart Private Disk

Dekart Private Desk is one of the most complete software of it’s type. The firewall on your encrypted disks makes it extremely difficult for anybody to get into, it means that only software which you allow can get access to the files inside, it also builds a list of blacklisted software for you automatically. It allows you to organize your files so easily in the file with a simple migration tool provided, it also allows you to flood the encryption, deleting every file in there in case of wrongful access by undesirables. It uses an NIST certified style of 128-bit encryption, which helps to protect all the information that you wish to protect like passwords and details.

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OS: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP and Vista (32 and 64-bit)

5. FreeOTFE

FreeOTFE is a portable open-source disk encryption software, which can run on PCs, PDAs and Windows Mobile devices. It creates a virtual disk where you can copy encrypted files into, where they are now password protected. This means that transferring objects from PC to your phone is safe and easy, with no worries of it being picked up if you lose your phone or somebody breaks into it – it is also completely free to use.