VeraCrypt
aboutsummaryrefslogtreecommitdiff
AgeCommit message (Expand)AuthorFilesLines
2018-03-07Update donation page to match online version and remove references to Tibit s...Mounir IDRASSI15-66/+72
2018-03-06Update language.ro.xml to 1.22-BETA4 (#288)TigerxWood1-95/+95
2018-03-05Windows: Replace the text "TRIM operation" by "TRIM command" in UI and transl...Mounir IDRASSI40-40/+40
2018-03-05Windows: Add option to block TRIM command on system encryption SSD drives.Mounir IDRASSI47-28/+125
2018-03-05XML Languages files: Add translation entry for non-system TRIM configurationMounir IDRASSI40-0/+40
2018-03-05Update language.ro.xml to 1.22-BETA4 (#285)TigerxWood1-243/+243
2018-03-04Windows: Implement TRIM support for non-system SSD partitions/drives and add ...Mounir IDRASSI8-43/+341
2018-03-04Windows: fix build issue under VS 2017 caused by msxml6.dllMounir IDRASSI1-1/+1
2018-03-04Windows: remove dependency to afxres.h header to allow build on community edi...Mounir IDRASSI6-6/+6
2018-03-04Windows: fix build issue of zip library with Visual Studio 2015/2017Mounir IDRASSI3-6/+2
2018-02-11Merge pull request #277 from DrunkenSasquatch/masterMounir IDRASSI1-1/+1
2018-02-10Fix Location TypoDrunkenSasquatch1-1/+1
2018-01-26Merge pull request #267 from gv5470/patch-100Mounir IDRASSI1-2/+2
2018-01-21Fix wxWidgets assertion failed when backing up/restoring volume header (close...gv54701-2/+2
2017-12-29Language XML Files: Add untranslated Thai language file.Mounir IDRASSI1-0/+1480
2017-12-28Merge pull request #252 from Musikolo/developMounir IDRASSI1-213/+213
2017-12-28Merge pull request #250 from Atalanttore/patch-1Mounir IDRASSI1-11/+11
2017-12-28Fix a lot of typosUnknown1-71/+71
2017-12-27Fix minor typoUnknown1-1/+1
2017-12-26Add some missing changesUnknown1-135/+135
2017-12-26Update Spanish translationsUnknown1-133/+133
2017-12-26Update Language.de.xmlEttore Atalan1-10/+10
2017-12-26Update Language.de.xmlEttore Atalan1-11/+11
2017-12-13Docummentation: update Release Notes with fix for KDE GUI install.Mounir IDRASSI2-0/+5
2017-12-13Linux: fix failure to install GUI version under recent versions of KDE.Mounir IDRASSI1-2/+2
2017-12-09Linux: fix compilation error with older versions of gcc (e.g. 4.x)Mounir IDRASSI1-3/+3
2017-12-09Windows: Update signed driver files for 1.22-BETA4Mounir IDRASSI2-0/+0
2017-12-09Docummentation: update Release Notes for 1.22-BETA4Mounir IDRASSI2-1/+11
2017-12-09Increment version to 1.22-BETA4 (1.22.4)Mounir IDRASSI48-57/+57
2017-12-08MacOSX: fix issue that prevented some local help files from opening in the br...Mounir IDRASSI1-2/+6
2017-12-06MacOSX: Update reference of code signing certificate in Makefile to use new I...Mounir IDRASSI1-2/+2
2017-12-06Linux/MacOSX: Avoid OS leaking previously used directory if user choose not t...Mounir IDRASSI1-2/+12
2017-12-05Documentation: Remove codeplex reference from Flattr donation link.Mounir IDRASSI1-1/+1
2017-12-05Docummentation: correct Release Notes for 1.22-BETA3Mounir IDRASSI1-1/+2
2017-11-29Linux: Only add disk to mountable devices if it doesn't have a partition. Thi...Mounir IDRASSI1-4/+7
2017-11-28Language XML files: remove references to GOST89 since it is not supported any...Mounir IDRASSI38-43/+0
2017-11-28Merge pull request #243 from gv5470/patch-233-prMounir IDRASSI1-0/+23
2017-11-28Linux: autodetect host drive name using sysfs (closes #233)gv54701-0/+23
2017-11-27SIMD speed optimization for Kuznyechik cipher implementation (up to 2x speedu...Mounir IDRASSI10-167/+9834
2017-11-27Documentation: Add OSX 10.13 High Sierra to the list of support operating sys...Mounir IDRASSI2-0/+1
2017-11-27Merge pull request #206 from strazzere/patch-1Mounir IDRASSI1-1/+1
2017-11-27Merge pull request #226 from TigerxWood/patch-2Mounir IDRASSI1-12/+13
2017-11-27Merge pull request #230 from bmintz/issue-198Mounir IDRASSI1-2/+2
2017-11-27Merge pull request #227 from wwj402/patch-1Mounir IDRASSI1-65/+65
2017-11-27Merge pull request #234 from user9209/masterMounir IDRASSI1-1/+1
2017-11-10fixed kuznyechik blocksize in german descriptionGeorg Schmidt1-1/+1
2017-11-10Update ver. 1.22 beta3TigerxWood1-1/+1
2017-11-06Fix compilation on Linux (closes #198)bmintz1-2/+2
2017-11-05Update Language.zh-cn.xmlwwj4021-65/+65
2017-11-04Update to ver. 122 and made some corections.TigerxWood1-12/+13
"o">="_blank">Forums</a></li> </ul> </div> <div> <p> <a href="Documentation.html">Documentation</a> <img src="arrow_right.gif" alt=">>" style="margin-top: 5px"> <a href="Beginner's%20Tutorial.html">Beginner's Tutorial</a> </p></div> <div class="wikidoc"> <h1>Beginner's Tutorial</h1> <h2>How to Create and Use a VeraCrypt Container</h2> <p>This chapter contains step-by-step instructions on how to create, mount, and use a VeraCrypt volume. We strongly recommend that you also read the other sections of this manual, as they contain important information.</p> <h4>STEP 1:</h4> <p>If you have not done so, download and install VeraCrypt. Then launch VeraCrypt by double-clicking the file VeraCrypt.exe or by clicking the VeraCrypt shortcut in your Windows Start menu.</p> <h4>STEP 2:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_001.jpg" alt="" width="579" height="498"><br> <br> The main VeraCrypt window should appear. Click <strong>Create Volume </strong>(marked with a red rectangle for clarity).</p> <h4>STEP 3:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_002.jpg" alt="" width="616" height="410"><br> <br> The VeraCrypt Volume Creation Wizard window should appear.<br> <br> In this step you need to choose where you wish the VeraCrypt volume to be created. A VeraCrypt volume can reside in a file, which is also called container, in a partition or drive. In this tutorial, we will choose the first option and create a VeraCrypt volume within a file.<br> <br> As the option is selected by default, you can just click <strong>Next</strong>.</p> <p>Note: In the following steps, the screenshots will show only the right-hand part of the Wizard window.</p> <h4>STEP 4:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_003.jpg" alt="" width="371" height="333"><br> <br> In this step you need to choose whether to create a standard or hidden VeraCrypt volume. In this tutorial, we will choose the former option and create a standard VeraCrypt volume.<br> <br> As the option is selected by default, you can just click <strong>Next</strong>.</p> <h4>STEP 5:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_004.jpg" alt="" width="363" height="336"><br> <br> In this step you have to specify where you wish the VeraCrypt volume (file container) to be created. Note that a VeraCrypt container is just like any normal file. It can be, for example, moved or deleted as any normal file. It also needs a filename, which you will choose in the next step.<br> <br> Click <strong>Select File</strong>.<br> <br> The standard Windows file selector should appear (while the window of the VeraCrypt Volume Creation Wizard remains open in the background).</p> <h4>STEP 6:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_005.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="452"><br> <br> In this tutorial, we will create our VeraCrypt volume in the folder F<em>:\Data\ </em> and the filename of the volume (container) will be <em>My Volume </em>(as can be seen in the screenshot above). You may, of course, choose any other filename and location you like (for example, on a USB memory stick). Note that the file <em>My Volume </em>does not exist yet &ndash; VeraCrypt will create it.</p> <p>IMPORTANT: Note that VeraCrypt will <em>not </em>encrypt any existing files (when creating a VeraCrypt file container). If you select an existing file in this step, it will be overwritten and replaced by the newly created volume (so the overwritten file will be <em>lost</em>, <em>not </em>encrypted). You will be able to encrypt existing files (later on) by moving them to the VeraCrypt volume that we are creating now.*</p> <p>Select the desired path (where you wish the container to be created) in the file selector. Type the desired container file name in the <strong>Filename </strong>box.<br> <br> Click <strong>Save</strong>.<br> <br> The file selector window should disappear.<br> <br> In the following steps, we will return to the VeraCrypt Volume Creation Wizard.</p> <p>* Note that after you copy existing unencrypted files to a VeraCrypt volume, you should securely erase (wipe) the original unencrypted files. There are software tools that can be used for the purpose of secure erasure (many of them are free).</p> <h4>STEP 7:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_007.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="335"><br> <br> In the Volume Creation Wizard window, click <strong>Next</strong>.</p> <h4>STEP 8:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_008.jpg" alt="" width="359" height="331"><br> <br> Here you can choose an encryption algorithm and a hash algorithm for the volume. If you are not sure what to select here, you can use the default settings and click <strong>Next </strong>(for more information, see chapters <a href="Encryption Algorithms.html"> <em>Encryption Algorithms</em></a> and <a href="Hash%20Algorithms.html"> <em>Hash Algorithms</em></a>).</p> <h4>STEP 9:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_009.jpg" alt="" width="369" height="332"><br> <br> Here we specify that we wish the size of our VeraCrypt container to be 250 megabyte. You may, of course, specify a different size. After you type the desired size in the input field (marked with a red rectangle), click <strong>Next</strong>.</p> <h4>STEP 10:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_010.jpg" alt="" width="372" height="368"><br> <br> This is one of the most important steps. Here you have to choose a good volume password. Read carefully the information displayed in the Wizard window about what is considered a good password.<br> <br> After you choose a good password, type it in the first input field. Then re-type it in the input field below the first one and click <strong>Next</strong>.</p> <p>Note: The button <strong>Next </strong>will be disabled until passwords in both input fields are the same.</p> <h4>STEP 11:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_011.jpg" alt="" width="365" height="368"><br> <br> Move your mouse as randomly as possible within the Volume Creation Wizard window at least until the randomness indicator becomes green. The longer you move the mouse, the better (moving the mouse for at least 30 seconds is recommended). This significantly increases the cryptographic strength of the encryption keys (which increases security).<br> <br> Click <strong>Format</strong>.<br> <br> Volume creation should begin. VeraCrypt will now create a file called <em>My Volume </em>in the folder F<em>:\Data\ </em>(as we specified in Step 6). This file will be a VeraCrypt container (it will contain the encrypted VeraCrypt volume). Depending on the size of the volume, the volume creation may take a long time. After it finishes, the following dialog box will appear:<br> <br> <img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_012.jpg" alt="" width="398" height="171"><br> <br> Click <strong>OK </strong>to close the dialog box.</p> <h4>STEP 12:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_013.jpg" alt="" width="361" height="333"><br> <br> We have just successfully created a VeraCrypt volume (file container). In the VeraCrypt Volume Creation Wizard window, click <strong>Exit</strong>.<br> <br> The Wizard window should disappear.<br> <br> In the remaining steps, we will mount the volume we just created. We will return to the main VeraCrypt window (which should still be open, but if it is not, repeat Step 1 to launch VeraCrypt and then continue from Step 13.)</p> <h4>STEP 13:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_014.jpg" alt="" width="579" height="498"><br> <br> Select a drive letter from the list (marked with a red rectangle). This will be the drive letter to which the VeraCrypt container will be mounted.<br> <br> Note: In this tutorial, we chose the drive letter M, but you may of course choose any other available drive letter.</p> <h4>STEP 14:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_015.jpg" alt="" width="579" height="498"><br> <br> Click <strong>Select File</strong>.<br> <br> The standard file selector window should appear.</p> <h4>STEP 15:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_016.jpg" alt="" width="625" height="453"><br> <br> In the file selector, browse to the container file (which we created in Steps 6-12) and select it. Click <strong>Open </strong>(in the file selector window).<br> <br> The file selector window should disappear.<br> <br> In the following steps, we will return to the main VeraCrypt window.</p> <h4>STEP 16:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_017.jpg" alt="" width="579" height="498"><br> <br> In the main VeraCrypt window, click <strong>Mount</strong>. Password prompt dialog window should appear.</p> <h4>STEP 17:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_018.jpg" alt="" width="499" height="205"><br> <br> Type the password (which you specified in Step 10) in the password input field (marked with a red rectangle).</p> <h4>STEP 18:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_019.jpg" alt="" width="499" height="205"><br> <br> Select the PRF algorithm that was used during the creation of the volume (SHA-512 is the default PRF used by VeraCrypt). If you don&rsquo;t remember which PRF was used, just leave it set to &ldquo;autodetection&rdquo; but the mounting process will take more time. Click <strong>OK</strong> after entering the password.<br> <br> VeraCrypt will now attempt to mount the volume. If the password is incorrect (for example, if you typed it incorrectly), VeraCrypt will notify you and you will need to repeat the previous step (type the password again and click <strong>OK</strong>). If the password is correct, the volume will be mounted.</p> <h4>FINAL STEP:</h4> <p><img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_020.jpg" alt="" width="579" height="498"><br> <br> We have just successfully mounted the container as a virtual disk M:<br> <br> The virtual disk is entirely encrypted (including file names, allocation tables, free space, etc.) and behaves like a real disk. You can save (or copy, move, etc.) files to this virtual disk and they will be encrypted on the fly as they are being written.<br> <br> If you open a file stored on a VeraCrypt volume, for example, in media player, the file will be automatically decrypted to RAM (memory) on the fly while it is being read.</p> <p>Important: Note that when you open a file stored on a VeraCrypt volume (or when you write/copy a file to/from the VeraCrypt volume) you will not be asked to enter the password again. You need to enter the correct password only when mounting the volume.</p> <p>You can open the mounted volume, for example, by selecting it on the list as shown in the screenshot above (blue selection) and then double-clicking on the selected item.</p> <p>You can also browse to the mounted volume the way you normally browse to any other types of volumes. For example, by opening the &lsquo;<em>Computer</em>&rsquo; (or &lsquo;<em>My Computer</em>&rsquo;) list and double clicking the corresponding drive letter (in this case, it is the letter M).<br> <br> <img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_021.jpg" alt="" width="406" height="264"><br> <br> You can copy files (or folders) to and from the VeraCrypt volume just as you would copy them to any normal disk (for example, by simple drag-and-drop operations). Files that are being read or copied from the encrypted VeraCrypt volume are automatically decrypted on the fly in RAM (memory). Similarly, files that are being written or copied to the VeraCrypt volume are automatically encrypted on the fly in RAM (right before they are written to the disk).<br> <br> Note that VeraCrypt never saves any decrypted data to a disk &ndash; it only stores them temporarily in RAM (memory). Even when the volume is mounted, data stored in the volume is still encrypted. When you restart Windows or turn off your computer, the volume will be dismounted and all files stored on it will be inaccessible (and encrypted). Even when power supply is suddenly interrupted (without proper system shut down), all files stored on the volume will be inaccessible (and encrypted). To make them accessible again, you have to mount the volume. To do so, repeat Steps 13-18.</p> <p>If you want to close the volume and make files stored on it inaccessible, either restart your operating system or dismount the volume. To do so, follow these steps:<br> <br> <img src="Beginner's Tutorial_Image_022.jpg" alt="" width="579" height="498"><br> <br> Select the volume from the list of mounted volumes in the main VeraCrypt window (marked with a red rectangle in the screenshot above) and then click <strong>Dismount </strong>(also marked with a red rectangle in the screenshot above). To make files stored on the volume accessible again, you will have to mount the volume. To do so, repeat Steps 13-18.</p> <h2>How to Create and Use a VeraCrypt-Encrypted Partition/Device</h2> <p>Instead of creating file containers, you can also encrypt physical partitions or drives (i.e., create VeraCrypt device-hosted volumes). To do so, repeat the steps 1-3 but in the step 3 select the second or third option. Then follow the remaining instructions in the wizard. When you create a device-hosted VeraCrypt volume within a <em>non-system </em>partition/drive, you can mount it by clicking <em>Auto-Mount Devices </em>in the main VeraCrypt window. For information pertaining to encrypted <em>system </em>partition/drives, see the chapter <a href="System%20Encryption.html"> <em>System Encryption</em></a>.</p> <p>Important: <em>We strongly recommend that you also read the other chapters of this manual, as they contain important information that has been omitted in this tutorial for simplicity.</em></p> </div> </body></html>