COMODO Disk Encryption v1.2

COMODO Disk Encryption is a free full-disk encryption program that supports encrypting internal and external hard drives, as well as building encrypted virtual hard drives.

For added protection, COMODO Disk Encryption can even use a USB device as authentication.

More About COMODO Disk Encryption

COMODO Disk Encryption supports a wide range of hashes and encryption algorithms but, unfortunately, doesn't support operating systems newer than Windows 7:

• COMODO Disk Encryption is said to work with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000
• The program itself can be password protected to prevent unauthorized changes
• SHA1, SHA256, MD5, and RipeMD160 are the supported hash algorithms, and AES, Serpent, Blowfish, and 3DES are the encryption algorithms you can choose from
• In addition to encrypting hard drives that are already installed, COMODO Disk Encryption also lets you create a virtual encrypted hard drive
• Can create what's called a Rescue Boot CD to have a backup method of booting into an encrypted system volume
• It also serves as a small backup program by letting you copy one USB hard drive directly to another

How to Encrypt a Hard Drive Using COMODO Disk Encryption

Follow these instructions for using COMODO Disk Encryption's wizard to encrypt a hard drive or system partition:

1. Open the program, right-click the drive you want to use, and choose Encrypt.

2. Select an authentication method, and then choose Next.

   You're able to choose Password and/or USB Stick. You don't have to select both, but you're able to if you'd like extra security.

3. Pick a hash and encryption algorithm.

   If you chose Password in Step 2, you'll be asked to enter a new password now as well.

   The option about ignoring free disk space is checked by default and can be left that way.

4. Select Next.

   If you entered a password in the previous step, and didn't choose USB authentication in Step 2, then skip to Step 6.

5. Choose the USB drive from the dropdown that you wish to use as authentication.

6. Select Finish.

7. Hit Yes to start the encryption process.

Thoughts on COMODO Disk Encryption

COMODO Disk Encryption is a nice program but only because of how easy it is to use. Due to the fact that it lacks features like pausing, full support for USB devices, and the ability to encrypt more than one hard drive at once, we don't recommend this be your first choice when selecting a disk encryption program.

However, if you're fine with those disadvantages, then by all means install COMODO Disk Encryption. Given that there isn't a huge variety of free disk encryption programs out there, it definitely doesn't hurt to use this one if there's something particular you like about it.

COMODO produces some fantastic freeware software, like COMODO Backup, a free backup program, and COMODO Rescue Disk, a free bootable antivirus tool. We're just not a huge fan of this particular product of theirs.

We think COMODO Disk Encryption would be easier to recommend if it were still being developed, and it had some better features. However, as it is right now, we really think that VeraCrypt or DiskCryptor are better choices, assuming you don't want to use BitLocker.