How to Create a CryptoDisk Volume

This chapter contains step-by-step instructions on how to create a CryptoDisk volume. We strongly recommend that you also read the other sections of this manual, as they contain important information.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1:

Download and install CryptoDisk, if you have not done so. Please refer to chapter CryptoDisk Installation for detailed instructions.

Step 2:

Launch CryptoDisk by clicking the CryptoDisk shortcut in your Windows Start menu or by double-clicking the file CryptoDisk.exe.

Step 3:

The main CryptoDisk window should appear. Click New Volume toolbar button or use Ctrl+N keyboard shortcut.

create encrypted disk

Step 4:

The CryptoDisk Volume Creation Wizard window should appear. Read the instructions displayed in the Wizard window and click Next.

create encrypted drive

Step 5:

In this step you have to specify where you wish the CryptoDisk volume to be created. Note that a CryptoDisk volume is just like any normal file. It can be moved, copied and deleted as any normal file. It also needs a filename.

encrypted container

Click Browse... to proceed with the new volume creation. The standard Windows file selection dialog should appear. Select an appropriate folder for the file, indicate the name in the File Name field, and click Save.

encrypted container

Step 6:

In the Volume Creation Wizard window, click Next.

Step 7:

Specify the required size of the new volume to create. After you type the desired size in the input field, click Next.

encrypted disk size

Step 8:

Here you can choose an encryption algorithm and a hash algorithm for the volume. If you are not sure what to select here, it is good idea to use the default settings. Click Next.

encryption algorithms

Please refer to chapter Encryption and Hash Algorithms for more information.

Step 9:

Choose a password that protects the encrypted volume. Volume password can consist of alphanumeric symbols and special characters, such as & ^ % $ # @ etc. A password is case-sensitive, enter it carefully. For more information about password choosing, please refer to the chapter Choosing a Secure Password.

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 Next.

passowrd encrypted disk

Note: The button Next will be disabled until passwords in both input fields are the same.

You can change password later using Change Password menu item.

Step 10:

Select a Windows drive letter assigned to this volume. This will be the drive letter to which the CryptoDisk volume will be mounted by default. You can change it later after the volume has been created. Click Next.

encrypted disk

Step 11:

Click Create. Volume creation should begin. CryptoDisk will now create an encrypted volume file.

create encrypted disk

Step 12:

CryptoDisk volume created. Click Finish to close the wizard.

encrypted disk created