How to access VeraCrypt encrypted external drives
As of Mar 17, 2023. Veracrypt is on the approved list of encryption methods for computers and external storage device. Veracrypt encrypted disks can be unlocked using Mac, Windows, and Linux.
https://security.utexas.edu/iso-policies/approved-encryption-methods
Contents:
Unlock drive in MacOS
Unlock drive on Windows
MacOS:
- Download and install VeraCrypt.
- Go to this link https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Downloads.html
- In the MacOS section, next to "macOS Mavericks 10.9 and later" click VeraCrypt_#.dmg
- Next, go to this link: https://osxfuse.github.io/
- In the Stable Releases section click MacFUSE #
- Two software installers should now be located in your Downloads folder.
- Open a Finder window and go to Downloads.
- First, open and install macfuse-#.dmg
- Next, open and install VeraCrypt_#.dmg
- Enter your administrator credentials when prompted.
- If you're using a UT College of Education computer your admin username is yourEID-admin the password is your EID password.
- Connect the encrypted external drive.
- Wait for error will appear after you connect the external drive. Click Ignore.
- To open the drive: open a new finder window, go to your Applications folder. Open VeraCrypt.app
- Click Select Device
- When prompted for a password enter your computer password (if you're using a UT College of Education computer enter your EID password)
- Select the partition you want to unlock. In most cases it is the disk at the bottom of the list.
- Click OK.
- Click Mount
- Enter the encryption password. The password can be found in Stache: https://stache.utexas.edu/
- Click OK.
- The encrypted drive will unlock.
- Note: The Veracrypt app must be running the entire time you are working in the encrypted drive. If you close Veracrypt the drive will lock and you will not be able to access it until it is re-mounted.
- To access the drive open new Finder window.
- In the sidebar under locations the external disk will appear.
- You can now work in the encrypted external drive.
- When you are done using the external drive open Veracrypt.
- Click Dismount.
- It is now safe to disconnect the external drive from your computer.
Windows:
- Download and install VeraCrypt.
- Go to this link https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Downloads.html
- In the Windows section, next to the "EXE Installer" click the VeraCrypt_Setup_#.exe link.
- The installer will be downloaded to your downloads folder on your computer.
- Go to your Downloads folder and double click VeraCrypt_Setup_#.exe to start the installer.
- Enter your administrator credentials when prompte.
- If you're using a UT computer your admin username is .\yourEID-admin the password is your EID password.
- Connect your encrypted external drive.
- Open a new folder and click on My PC in the sidebar
- Note the drive letter next to the external drive.
- Wait for this error to appear after you connect the external drive. Click Cancel.
- When the next error message appears click OK
- To open the drive click Start (windows icon) in the list of applications find the VeraCrypt folder then open VeraCrypt.
- Click the Select Device button
- Select the partition inext to the drive letter noted in step 5
. - Click OK.
- Click the Mount button.
- If you are prompted to chose a drive letter choose A:
- If you are prompted to chose a drive letter choose A:
- Enter the encryption password. The password can be found in Stache: https://stache.utexas.edu/
- Click OK.
- The encrypted drive will unlock.
- Note: Veracrypt app must be running the entire time you are working in the encrypted disk. If you close Veracrypt the drive will lock.
- Go back to My PC folder
- The encrypted dive will likely be located in Drive Name (A:) since this letter is chosen by default when mounting the disk.
- You can now work in the A: drive.
- When you are done using the external drive open Veracrypt.
- Click Dismount.
- It is now safe to disconnect the external drive from your computer.
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