Step 1: TrueCrypt on English install
Is TrueCrypt in German is already installed on your Computer, you can skip this step.
- Download TrueCrypt and follow the instructions of the Installation.
- You start the program, click above in the menu bar on the category "Settings" and select the Option "Language".
- Choose as language "English" and confirm with "OK".
TrueCrypt: change language
Step 2: First steps for the hard drive encryption with TrueCrypt
- Click above in the menu bar on the category "System" and select the Option "System Partition/drive to encrypt".
- You choose the encryption method "Normal" and confirm with "Next".
- You choose "The Windows System Partition encrypt" and click "Next".
- You only have a Windows OS installed, select the Option "operating system". Several systems are installed in parallel, select "Multiple operating systems".
TrueCrypt: encryption start
Step 3: encryption method in TrueCrypt and select
- You can now choose for different encryption methods. You have no special requests, we advise you to use method "AES". This is also used by US authorities for encryption.
- Then set a password for the System Partition. Pay attention to a really secure password. If possible, use large and small letters, Numbers, and special characters. Do not use words found in a dictionary. Also, the longer, the better.
- The program generates random data for improved encryption. Following them is the main and the head key will be displayed. These do not have to observe more.
Step 4: the recovery CD to the System Partition to create
You are now a rescue prompted to create a CD. This is necessary so that you can start your System if the Windows or the boot loader of TrueCrypt are defective:
- Select a location for the CD-Image (Image). Click on "Next", it will be created there.
- Save the Image in a safe place. You can use either a USB Stick, an external hard drive or a CD.
- You do not know how to use the Image to burn a CD, can be found here a guide with the free Tool CDBurnerXP.
Step 5: the System Partition, encrypt it with Truecrypt
It will let you delete the hard disk offered "for sure". The process can take a very long time, since the System copies the Partition for a short time, the location is overwritten and the Partition is re-inserted. They reject the secure Delete, professionals can circumvent the encryption however.
- You choose the "secure Delete" or skip the process with the Option "Without".
- Then click on the "Test" Button starts Windows. After successfully entering your password, the System Partition is ready to Encode.
- Click on the Button "Encrypt" will start the process. Depending on how many data are on the hard disk, the operation may take several hours.
- The process is completed, you will receive a message about the successful execution.
As you encrypted files without password to open, we will show you in the practice tip on "password cracking - with the best Tools".
