Password-Protecting an External Drive: Windows, macOS & Linux Guide

Adding a password to an external hard drive is one of the most reliable ways to keep sensitive files safe from unauthorized access, ensuring personal information, financial documents, or business data stays secure even if the device is misplaced or stolen. This is especially important because external drives are portable and more prone to theft than internal drives.

The way to secure an external drive depends on the operating system: Windows typically uses BitLocker, Mac OS secures drives with Disk Utility using APFS or HFS+ encryption, and Linux relies on tools like LUKS through cryptsetup. Unlike internal hard drives that are mainly tied to a host system’s security, external drives need dedicated encryption for portability, making password protection a vital step for data safety on the go.

Our Services

Secure Hard Drive Shredding & Data Destruction Services

Get rid of your obsolete hard drives the easy way! We offer free, convenient hard drives pickup and secure data destruction for businesses nationwide.

How to Set a Password on an External Hard Drive in Windows

To secure an external hard drive on Windows with a password, follow these 8 steps.

Step 1: Confirm Your Windows Edition Supports BitLocker
Step 2: Back Up Your Files
Step 3: Turn On BitLocker
Step 4: Create a Password
Step 5: Save the Recovery Key
Step 6: Pick an Encryption Mode
Step 7: Begin Encryption
Step 8: Finish the Setup

Step 1: Confirm Your Windows Edition Supports BitLocker

This step is necessary because BitLocker is Microsoft’s built-in encryption tool. To check, open Control Panel, go to System and Security, and look for BitLocker Drive Encryption. BitLocker is included in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, as well as Windows 11 Pro and higher. If your version does not support BitLocker, you’ll need third-party encryption software.

Step 2: Back Up Your Files

This step is important because encryption could fail or cause corruption if interrupted. Connect your external hard drive and copy everything to another safe storage such as a cloud account or a different drive. A backup makes sure your files are protected in case anything goes wrong.

Step 3: Turn On BitLocker

This step begins the actual encryption process. Open This PC in File Explorer, right-click on the external drive, and select Turn on BitLocker. The setup wizard will open and get your drive ready.

Step 4: Create a Password

This step is crucial because the password is your first defense. In the BitLocker wizard, select Use a password to unlock the drive. Create a strong password using uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. Confirm it to move forward.

Step 5: Save the Recovery Key

This step is critical in case you forget the password. Windows lets you save the recovery key to your Microsoft account, print it, or store it elsewhere. Choose at least one secure option and keep it separate from the encrypted drive.

Step 6: Pick an Encryption Mode

This step defines how your drive is encrypted. You can choose New encryption mode (XTS-AES), which is more secure but only works with newer systems, or Compatible mode, which ensures compatibility with older Windows versions. Select the one that suits your needs.

Step 7: Begin Encryption

This step applies the actual protection. BitLocker will ask if you want to encrypt only the used space (faster) or the entire drive (safer but slower). Make your choice, then click Start Encrypting.

Step 8: Finish the Setup

This step ensures the encryption is complete. The duration depends on the size of the hard drive speed and the amount of data. BitLocker will show progress as it works, which may take a few minutes or several hours depending on drive size and contents. Once finished, your external hard drive will always require the password when connected.

How to Password Protect an External Hard Drive on Mac OS?

To secure an external hard drive with a password on Mac OS, follow these 6 steps.

Step 1: Back Up Your Files
Step 2: Launch Disk Utility
Step 3: Choose Your External Drive
Step 4: Erase and Encrypt the Drive with a Password
Step 5: Wait for the Process to Finish
Step 6: Unlock the Encrypted Drive

Step 1: Back Up Your Files

This step is necessary because encrypting requires erasing the drive, which deletes everything on it. Connect the drive and copy important files to iCloud, another external drive, or your Mac. This prevents data loss.

Step 2: Launch Disk Utility

This step is important because Disk Utility is Mac’s built-in encryption tool. Open Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility, or search for it with Spotlight. This tool allows you to format and protect your drive.

Step 3: Select Your External Drive

This step ensures you select the correct drive. In Disk Utility, look at the sidebar under External, and carefully click the right device to avoid formatting the wrong one.

Step 4: Erase and Encrypt the Drive with a Password

This step applies the encryption. Click Erase, then select APFS (Encrypted) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted). Enter a strong password with letters, numbers, and symbols, and confirm it. You’ll need this password every time you use the drive.

Step 5: Wait for the Encryption Process to Complete

This step allows Disk Utility to erase and encrypt your drive. Depending on size, it may take a few minutes. Once done, the drive is secure and ready for use.

Step 6: Unlock the Encrypted Drive

This step ensures future access remains secure. When you connect the encrypted drive, Mac OS will ask for the password you set. Without it, the files remain locked and inaccessible.

How to Password-Protect an External Hard Drive on Linux?

To secure an external hard drive with a password on Linux, follow these 7 steps.

Step 1: Install cryptsetup
Step 2: Find Your External Hard Drive
Step 3: Enable LUKS Encryption
Step 4: Open the Encrypted Volume
Step 5: Create a Filesystem
Step 6: Mount the Encrypted Drive
Step 7: Use the Drive Securely

Step 1: Install cryptsetup

This step is necessary because cryptsetup manages LUKS encryption. Install it through your package manager. For example, use sudo apt install cryptsetup on Debian/Ubuntu or sudo dnf install cryptsetup on Fedora. Without it, encryption won’t work.

Step 2: Find Your External Hard Drive

This step ensures you select the right device. Connect the drive and use lsblk or sudo fdisk -l to view disks. Note the identifier (like /dev/sdb). Choosing wrong may erase another drive.

Step 3: Enable LUKS Encryption

This step applies encryption. Run sudo cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdX (replace /dev/sdX with your identifier). Confirm, then create a strong passphrase. This passphrase will be needed to unlock the drive.

Step 4: Open the Encrypted Volume

This step unlocks the drive for setup. Run sudo cryptsetup open /dev/sdX mydrive. Enter your passphrase when prompted. The encrypted container will appear under /dev/mapper/mydrive.

Step 5: Create a Filesystem

This step makes the drive usable. Run sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/mydrive or use another format if preferred. The encrypted space now has a working filesystem.

Step 6: Mount the Encrypted Drive

This step allows regular use of the drive. Make a mount point with sudo mkdir /mnt/mydrive, then mount with sudo mount /dev/mapper/mydrive /mnt/mydrive. You can now store files securely.

Step 7: Use the Drive Securely

This step ensures proper daily use. Every time you reconnect the drive, run cryptsetup open and enter your passphrase before mounting it. Without the password, the drive remains locked and unreadable.

Top External Hard Drive Brands with Built-In Password Protection

iStorage diskAshur DT2 – Desktop drive with hardware encryption and PIN keypad, featuring AES-XTS 256-bit protection and tamper-proof design for enterprise use.
SanDisk Professional G-Drive ArmorATD – Rugged portable drive resistant to shocks, dust, and rain, compatible with password-enabled encryption software.
Western Digital My Book – High-capacity desktop drive with WD Security software supporting password access and AES 256-bit hardware hard drive encryption.
Apricorn Aegis Padlock Hard Drive A25-3PL256 – Portable keypad-secured drive with hardware-based AES 256-bit XTS encryption and multiple user PIN options.
Apricorn Aegis NVX – Fast NVMe SSD with onboard keypad, real-time hardware encryption, and PIN-based protection.
LaCie Mobile Hard Drive STLP – Stylish portable drive offering bundled software for password-based encryption, great for creative professionals.
Seagate One Touch – Compact portable drive with Seagate Toolkit password protection and AES-256 encryption for daily security.
LaCie Rugged RAID Shuttle – Rugged RAID solution with password-protected hardware encryption, designed for secure transport in tough environments.
Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield MU-PE – Portable SSD featuring AES 256-bit hardware encryption, password security, and shock resistance.
WD Black P10 Game Drive – Portable gaming HDD that supports encryption software and password protection while offering large storage space.

Difference Between Password Protection and Encryption on External Drives

External hard drive password protection blocks access by requiring authentication, while encryption protects the actual data by turning it into unreadable code. Password protection restricts entry, but encryption secures the content even if the drive is accessed directly.

External Hard Drive Password Protection