Best Free USB Encryption Software for Windows
Encrypting a USB flash drive has become important for users who take their portable security seriously. It is all too easy for that USB flash drive to slip off a keyring chain it was hanging off or for the drive to be left plugged into an internet cafe's computer by mistake. In either situation, the own of the USB flash drive really doesn't want to make matters worse by enabling someone else to be able read all their files stored on the drive.
USB flash drives are no longer small capacity with some providing 64GB or 128GB of storage space so what was once a small problem for a few little files can now be a much larger one with theft, copyright and intellectual properties rights protection issues for designers, developers and other people who develop new content or program code.
USB encryption tools can offers different types and different bit levels of encryption. Encryption algorithms like AES, Serpent and Twofish are included in many of the below recommended free USB security options. Several of the available software options also include encryption for memory cards, USB hard drives, and internal drives as well.
Have a look through our list of free USB security packages and see which one would best suit your needs:
Rohos Mini Drive
Rohos Mini Drive creates an encrypted partition which is hidden so even if a USB flash drive should fall into the wrong hands the container cannot even be seen. AES 256-bit encryption is used to protect access to the files as well. Just launch the package, choose the USB drive to encrypt, then enter the password and the software will create the encrypted partition for you. The free version of this software is limited to 8 GB of encrypted partition for your data needs; beyond this, there is a paid version.
USB Safeguard Free
USB Safeguard Free is a portable app offering AES 256-bit encryption to protect data on a virtual drive environment. This can include a USB flash drive, hard drive, SSD or a memory card. Data will be heavily encrypted and can only be unlocked with this package and the correct password. The free version has a limit of 2 GB for encrypted partitions.
DiskCryptor
DiskCryptor has been designed to beat other USB encryption software. It is compatible with the open-source disk encryption software, TrueCrypt, which is a considerable feather in its cap. USB flash drives, USB hard drives, internal drives, CDs and DVDs can all have encrypted containers created using strong 256-bit encryption from Twofish, Serpent or AES methodologies. Runs on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows systems from 2000 to 8.1 and several Windows Server editions. Their home page is extremely detailed with copious amounts of additional information.
USB Flash Security
USB Flash Security is a portable app from Japan which can provide AES 256-bit encryption options up to 4 GBs in its free version. There is also a personal edition and a group edition for different prices, both available on 15 day trials. The group edition has write protection features.
Kakasoft USB Security
Kakasoft USB Security is a security package that can protect entire USB flash drives, USB hard drives, internal hard drives, and memory cards. There is a free version and a “Full” version which offers more features. The software runs on Windows 2000 through to Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit). The USB Security executable file is added to the storage device during install to enable the encryption to take place.
iSafe USB Security
iSafe USB Security is a free USB encryption app that was updated last in April 2014. Installs to USB flash drives and memory cards. Standalone EXE file for portable installations. Runs on Windows 2000 right through to Windows 8.1. There is a free and a paid version with a free trial that offers more features.
StorageCrypt
StorageCrypt is an encryption package for USB flash drives, flash cards, PCMCIA drives, eSATA hard drives and Firewire drives. It provides 128-bit AES encryption with a password length of up to 50 characters for added security protection. The app is portable.
