author avatar
6 January 2020  Ashley S. Miller  Specialist of Customer Service Dept.
Last update by William Davis at 6 January 2020

Summary
It is very common for us to save some important and private data in HDD. And some data is sensitive and user want to protect them from unauthorized access, modification or malicious copy. Considering such situation, HDD protection become the first and safest method. Here, we will go through about how to password protect HDD with some common and safe method.



Method 1: Renee File Protector

Being a professional data encryption software, Renee File Protector supports to password protect hard drive which saves sensitive data. Besides, it also provides other functions like hide, protect and monitor, which can ensure the data safety for users.
Renee File Protector - Overall Protection to Your Data

Easy to use Few clicks for whole folder encryption process.

Overall protection Users can hide, lock or get other protection to files in local disk or USB disk.

High Security Classified encryption method prevents data from leakage.

Compression transfer Support to compress and encrypt any files to secure the file transfer security.

Advanced self protection Provide self

Easy to use Few clicks for whole folder encryption process.

Overall protection Users can hide, lock or get other protection to files in local disk or USB disk.

High Security Classified encryption method prevents data from leakage.

Free TrialFree Trial 800 users have downloaded and protect data!

Password Protect Hard Drive with Renee File Protector

Step 1: Download and install Renee File Protector. Launch it and click [Lock File] and then [Lock Partition] in [Hard Disk].
password protect hard drive
Step 2: Please check the target disk/partition in the pop up window and click [OK] to process.
password protect hard drive
Step 3: You will see the disk is under password protected.
lock disk function in Renee File Protector
Step 4: When you want to access the data inside, you will be required to enter the password.
enter the locked disk
5. If users want to unlock the disk, please go to related function in Renee File Protector. Then check related disk and click [Unlock] button.
unlock disk in Renee File Protector
Advantages:
1. One-click HDD lock function helps user lock and modify data inside HDD with simple steps.
2. Besides locking whole HDD, Renee File Protector can also lock single folder or files.
3. Locking HDD runs well even in Safe Mode.

Method 2: Lock HDD with Bitlocker

Bitlocker, a built-in data encrypt function for Windows, can encrypt whole volume.
Step 1: Right-click the target disk in [My computer] and then please select [Turn on Bitlocker] in the menu.
how to use bitlocker
Step 2: Select one way to unlock the Bitlocker protected disk. 
how to use bitlocker
Step 3: Here we choose “Enter a password” to be example. Please enter the password you want for the protected disk. After setting, please click “Next”.
set the password for bitlocker in windows
Step 4: After setting the password, we can make a backup for the password.
select a method to save the bitlocker password
Limitation: Using Bitlocker will influence the computer performance. Besides, the encryption process will be proceeding for a long time. What’s more, it can only password protect whole hard drive or disk instead of files or folders.

Method 3: Windows autorun.inf

Introduced in Windows after Windows 95, autorun.inf has become a common files in our computer. It enable PC to execute the code inside once PC starts from HDD. With the help of autorun.inf, related HDD will be free from the threats of virus.
Detailed Steps:
1. Create a blank txt file and name it as “1.bat” (extension is bat). And type the following command:
• x: (x refers to the disk label for both internal or external disk)
• md autorun.inf
• cd autorun.inf
• md con (“” is necessary to add to con folder to enable it to enter command in DOS)
2. To unlock the HDD, please create another blank txt file and name it as “2.bat”. Then please enter the following command to free the disk:
• x: (x refers to the disk label for both internal or external disk)
• cd autorun.inf
• rd con
• cd..
• rd autorun.inf
Limitations: autorun.inf just can protect the HDD from threats of virus but not the data safety. Generally, other users can still check, modify and copy data inside.