How to Setup TrueCrypt for Windows

October 15, 2006 at 10:08 pm | Posted in TrueCrypt, Windows | 5 Comments

This is to help those step by step understand how to install and use TrueCrypt.

It’s probably best to start from scratch. I’m going to do what you requested.. a more detailed HowTo… with screenshots and this is just “my” recommendation on how to do it. Also for the example, i will not be using a USB key (as i don’t feel like messing mine up for this), but the pricinple is exactly the same.

1. Download the file and unzip it. In the truecrypt folder you will have a setup folder.

2. Within that folder you have the TrueCrypt Icon. Click on that

3. Click on Create Volume

4. I pick “Hidden” here.

5. Pick a TrueCrypt Volume then a hidden volume within it.

6. I always do a file, rather than the entire volume. I don’t do this just because i find it easier, but because a random file is less likely to cause suspicion. Name it something like me.bmp or phonenumbers.txt. Since i’m doing this on my hard-drive, i used system.txt in my Windows directory. You can create the file manually outside of TrueCrypt and just select the file.

7. Just an introduction to creating the Outer Volume, hit Next.

8. I use this parcticular encryption method because it’s the most secure, that being said, it’s also the slowest to respond. The program gives you a description of each, so this is your choice.

9. I’m making the file size small for the example only. If you were doing this on a USB key, i’d give yourself at least 10-20mb breathing room so the key can hold the True crypt folder later on.. or just act as a normal USB key without the use of Truecrypt if you so like. So if you have a 512 MB key, make it 490 max, if 1GB, make it 980 or so.

10. Set your password, try to make it alpha numeric and don’t use common words. Also don’t forget it.

11. Formatting preferences, the defaults here are usually ok.

12. This is just an intro to create the Hidden Volume, within the Outer Volume, hit next.

13. another intro, hit next

14. Select the encryption method for the hidden volume, again, the better the encryption the slower your volume will be.

15. This is the size of the hidden volume within the outer volume. I just accept the maximum size.

16. Create the hidden volume password. again, alpha-numeric. It’s best practice to not have this be the same as the outer volume, but it doesn’t have to be.

17. Formatting the hidden volume, hit format. and that’s it. It’s created. The menu will re-pop up to start yet another new outer one. You can just cancel that and go back to the main menu.

18. Back at the main menu, first select the drive letter you wish to host the hidden volume at. Then select the hidden file we created.

Click Mount, enter your password, and now that drive should appear as a hard-disk under My Computer.

For future use, i’d place the unzipped true crypt folder on the USB key, but not in the hidden volume. Just go to My Computer, select your removable disc, and paste the folder there for future use.

Hope this helps.