VeraCrypt creates encrypted containers, encrypts entire partitions or drives, and can encrypt the drive Windows itself boots from — all for free, with the source code publicly auditable. It is the actively maintained successor to TrueCrypt, built by security firm IDRIX after TrueCrypt's original developers discontinued the project in 2014.
VeraCrypt vs BitLocker
Windows already ships BitLocker, so why add VeraCrypt? Three reasons stand out. First, BitLocker is not available on Windows Home editions without upgrading, while VeraCrypt works on every edition. Second, VeraCrypt is cross-platform — the same encrypted container can be opened on Windows, macOS and Linux, which matters if you move files between operating systems. Third, VeraCrypt supports hidden volumes and plausible deniability features that BitLocker does not offer, useful for anyone who needs an extra layer of protection beyond a single visible encrypted layer.
The trade-off is convenience: BitLocker is built in and encrypts transparently in the background, while VeraCrypt requires mounting a volume manually before use.
VeraCrypt Features
- Full-disk encryption, including the Windows system/boot drive
- Container-based encryption — create a single encrypted file that mounts as a virtual drive
- Hidden volumes for plausible deniability, nested inside an outer encrypted volume
- Multiple strong cipher choices (AES, Serpent, Twofish) and cascaded combinations
- Cross-platform — containers created on one OS mount on the others
- Open source and independently audited, tracing its lineage to the trusted TrueCrypt codebase
- No account, telemetry or cloud dependency — encryption keys never leave your machine
How to Install VeraCrypt
- Open the official download page. The button on this page opens veracrypt.fr directly.
- Download the installer for your OS — Windows, macOS or the appropriate Linux package.
- Run the installer and accept the defaults unless you have a specific reason to change the install path.
- Create a volume using the VeraCrypt Volume Creation Wizard — choose a container file, a partition, or full-disk encryption, then set a strong passphrase.
- Mount the volume from the main VeraCrypt window whenever you need access; unmount it when finished so the contents are protected again.
Is VeraCrypt really free?
Open Source. VeraCrypt is released under a mix of open-source licences (Apache 2.0 for VeraCrypt-specific code). It is free to download, use and audit, with no paid tier.
How to download VeraCrypt safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for www.veracrypt.fr — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering VeraCrypt. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to VeraCrypt
Other free antivirus & security software worth comparing before you decide:
KeePassXC
Free, open-source offline password manager.
Bitwarden
Open-source password manager with cloud sync.
ClamAV
Open-source antivirus engine for scanning files and mail.
Frequently asked questions
Is VeraCrypt safe to use in 2026?
Yes. VeraCrypt has undergone independent security audits and actively patches issues as they are found — it is widely recommended by security professionals as one of the most trustworthy free encryption tools available.
What happens if I forget my VeraCrypt password?
There is no recovery option. VeraCrypt has no backdoor and no "forgot password" flow by design — if you lose the passphrase, the encrypted data is permanently inaccessible. Store your passphrase somewhere safe before encrypting anything important.
Is VeraCrypt compatible with TrueCrypt containers?
Yes, VeraCrypt can open older TrueCrypt volumes, though it recommends converting them to the VeraCrypt format for the stronger key-derivation improvements made since the TrueCrypt project ended.
Does VeraCrypt slow down my computer?
Modern CPUs include AES hardware acceleration (AES-NI), so day-to-day read/write performance on an encrypted volume is close to unencrypted speed on most systems. Full-disk encryption of the boot drive has a small, usually unnoticeable overhead.
Can I encrypt a USB drive with VeraCrypt?
Yes — you can encrypt an entire USB drive or create a portable encrypted container on it, and VeraCrypt also offers a portable mode that runs from the USB drive itself without installing on the host computer.
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