You’re also not just limited to a hard drive.
External devices like flash drives and external hard drives can be encrypted by disk encryption software, too.
There aren’t a lot of whole-drive encryption programs that you’re able to use for free.
In general, I recommend that you use those tools if you’re free to.
VeraCrypt
Active development.
Can be unnecessarily complex at times.
I used this program on and off for a few months.
you could use this program in Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Challenger
Use it as a portable app or install it to your PC.
Can auto-delete free space after drive encryption.
Free version prevents 256-bit encryption.
Can’t encrypt the Windows partition.
Challenger is a small program that encrypts not only whole drives, but also files and folders.
I don’t think anyone will have trouble using it.
DiskCryptor
Free software that’s easy to use.
User interface is antiquated.
Additional tools aren’t always helpful.
No update since 2014.
DiskCryptor is one of the best free disk encryption program for Windows.
It lets you encrypt the system/boot volume as well as any other internal or external hard drive.
It’s also really simple to use and has some pretty neat, unique features.
Data on a volume encrypted using DiskCryptor can be viewed and modified while the drive is mounted.
There is no need to decrypt the whole drive just to get into the files.
It’s important to recognize this problem before encrypting a partition that’s used to boot into Windows.
See my review for more about this.
COMODO Disk Encryption
USB authentication supported.
Straightforward program without unnecessary extra features.
Won’t work on modern Windows versions.
The system drive, as well as any attached hard drive, can be encrypted with COMODO Disk Encryption.
Both drive types can be configured to require authentication by password or aUSBdevice.
Instead, you must use the same password for each one.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work on Windows 11, 10, or 8.
Updates shouldn’t be expected because the program has been discontinued since 2010.
