PGP - Perform Whole Disk Encryption or Decryption on Windows

If it's not already, open PGP Desktop from the system tray's lock icon. Then select Encrypt Whole Disk or Partition.

From the Select disk or partition to encrypt list, select the computer hard drive you wish to encrypt.

WARNING: do not select any peripherals that might be listed, such as iPods or digital cameras.

Removable media, such as an external hard drive or flash drive, may be encrypted, but PGP must be installed on any computer that you wish to use with the removable media so that you can decrypt the data on it.

Make sure that Power Failure Safety is check marked.

Click on the Encrypt button.

You will be prompted with an informative message about the duration of encrypting a disk. Click on the Yes button to proceed.

The encryption process will begin.

Once complete, a little lock icon will appear to the right of the disk that you have just encrypted.

Now when you start your computer, you will be prompted for your Windows password or passphrase, as shown below. Enter it and press the Enter key.

Should you ever need to turn whole disk encryption off, open PGP Desktop again. To decrypt the disk, select it, check mark Power Failure Safety, an click on the Decrypt button. The decryption of a disk takes just as long as encryption does.

You will be prompted for your passphrase to unlock the disk (which is the password that you use to logon to your computer).