USB flash drives are about the handiest things ever invented. Simply plug one into an empty USB port on your computer, and countless files can be taken with you wherever you go. Have files will travel. The biggest drawback to these helpful devices is, ironically, their size. Flash drives are just as easy to lose as they are to use. Because of this, if you’re storing files that you don’t want to fall into the wrong hands, you might want to consider password protecting your flash drives. We’ll tell you how to make this a reality.
Flash drives have been around since the turn of the millennium, and are the temporary storage media of choice today. You can find them ranging in size from about 8 GB all the way up to 2 TB! Just so we’re clear on the terminology, a USB flash drive is the same as a thumb drive, memory stick, jump drive, disk key, pen drive, etc., etc. It’s a device of many names, but I prefer to go with “flash drive”. Flash drives are rewritable, so one can be cleared and reused again and again to back up and transfer files. Their price also makes them desirable, as, for example, a 128 GB flash drive will run you about $25.
So, flash drives make it easy to take your files with you and access them from another computer. What happens if you lose it? Can anyone just walk off with it and transfer your personal files to their own computer? Unfortunately for most of us, the answer is yes. There is hope though in the interest of security. Programs do exist to help keep us safe. Even luckier for us, a good option is also free! I’ve had good luck with Rohos Mini Drive. You can download the program by clicking here and then clicking “Download Now”. Install the program, then insert a (preferably) blank flash drive into your computer. Rohos Mini Drive will create a password protected partition (say that ten times fast) that will allow you to add any files to the flash drive you wish just as you normally would in File Explorer. The program will ask you to create a password for your flash drive, and the files will only become accessible if you provide the correct password. Rohos Mini Drive is compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10, and only requires a flash drive with 90 MB of free space. The files may be viewed on any computer whether Rohos Mini Drive is installed or not, and it will work on any type of user account be it an administrator or standard.
Some of us, and I won’t mention any names, would lose our heads if they weren’t connected to our necks. Because of this, flash drives have been known to disappear as well. Don’t take a chance on losing your personal files. With Rohos Mini Drive, there really is no excuse not to protect your flash drive or whatever it is you like to call it. You sure can’t beat the price.