Encrypt the hard disk under Windows 8 with TrueCrypt

If you want to encrypt your hard drive under Windows 8, the free program TrueCrypt is available. We show you how it works.

Step 1: Install TrueCrypt in German

If you already have TrueCrypt installed on your system, you can skip this step.

1. Download TrueCrypt.
2. Run the EXE file and click through the further steps.
3. Then start the program, click on "Settings" in the menu bar at the top and select the "Language" option.
4. Select "German" and click "OK". TrueCrypt can now be operated in German. The instructions for encryption can be found in the next paragraph.

Step 2: First steps to encrypt the hard disk with TrueCrypt

1. Click on "System" in the menu bar at the top and select the "Encrypt system partition / drive" option. A small window opens.
2. Select "Normal" as the encryption method and click "Next".
3. You now have the choice between "Encrypt the Windows system partition" or "Encrypt entire drive". For normal purposes, encrypting the Windows system partition should suffice.
4. If you only have one operating system installed, select the "One operating system" option. If several systems are installed in parallel, select "Multiple operating systems".

Step 3: choose encryption method

1. You can now choose an encryption method. If you are not familiar with the subject, we advise you to choose the "AES" method. This is extremely secure and is also used by US authorities, for example.
2. The next step is to set a password for the partition. The security of the password is very important here. Don't use words found in a dictionary. Use letters, numbers and special characters as large and small as possible. Also applies: the longer the better.
3. TrueCrypt now generates random data for improved encryption. The master and header keys are then displayed.

Step 4: create Windows 8 rescue CD

In the next step you will be asked to create a rescue CD. This is necessary so that you can start your system even if Windows or the TrueCrypt boot loader are defective:

• Choose as a location for the CD image. Click "Next", it will be created.
• You should now save the image in a safe place. Use either a USB stick, an external hard drive or a CD.
• If you don't know how this works, or if you don't have a suitable program installed, you can find instructions on how to burn the ISO file with the free CDBurnerXP.

Step 5: Complete encryption with TrueCrypt under Windows 8

You are now offered the secure erase of the hard disk. The entire content is briefly copied, the space described is overwritten and pasted back in its place.

1. With the "Without" option you can easily skip the secure deletion. However, professionals could then laboriously restore the content and circumvent encryption. If you have some time, choose a different delete mode.
2. Then click the "Test" button and Windows will restart. Once you have successfully entered your password, your hard drive is ready for final encryption.
3. To do this, click on the "Encrypt" button and simply let the program run. Depending on how much data is on the hard drive, the process can take several hours.
4. You will receive a message when the process is complete.

In this practical tip, we will introduce you to other good tools that you can use to encrypt files.