FreeOTFE for Windows

Used FreeOTFE for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 7, 2010

Though it took us several visits to the publisher's Web site to figure out how to navigate this program, in the end, it successfully encrypted our files. We just weren't sure that most users would be willing to put forth that much effort trying to get FreeOTFE to work.

At first glance, FreeOTFE's tiny, sparse window looks simple enough, but we were stumped when it came to getting started. The drop-down menu commands were vague and didn't give us any kind of signal about where to go next. Lucky for us, a wizard walked us through the volume creation process. But beyond that, we were lost and had to consult the publisher's Web site throughout our whole testing process, which is never a good sign. After creating the volume, which offered us password protection and a long list of file encryption methods, we had to mount, and eventually format, the volume to create the virtual drive. Once the virtual drive was formatted, we were able to save, and therefore encrypt, our files to the drive. We found it funny that even the publisher seemed to acknowledge that the whole process was confusing, and suggested that most people new to file encryption simply accept the default options.

If all this sounds confusing to you, rest assured it was for us, too. Novices should look for an easier way to encrypt their files. But if you like the idea of creating a virtual disk for file encryption, this program might be worth all the time and fuss.

FreeOTFE for Windows

Used FreeOTFE for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: February 8, 2010

Latest update: February 7, 2010

Version: 5.21

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 2003
Windows XP
Windows 10
Windows Vista
Windows 2000
Windows 7
Windows Server

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 12,549

Downloads Last Week: 2

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Program available in other languages

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4/5

6 User Votes

I found the App difficult to use
winguard7June 2, 2014
Pros
I found the App difficult to use and at one point I got a error and the program closed. In the end I found another program named WinGuard Pro which was free and really straight-forward to use. Windows 8
Cons
I found the App difficult to use Try winguardpro.com for a better program, its free and easy to use.
Summary
Best look around, there are free programs like WinGuard Pro that will do the job of encryption. Try winguardpro.com for a better program, its free and easy to use.
Perfect For you flash drive.
OU812NSANovember 19, 2013
Pros
Great way to secure personal info and files. easy to mount the drive once you set it up. Easy to copy the volume for back up to other hard drives.
Cons
Don't like the return key not logging in the pw, always have to back up a step. Kind of a learning curve to setup but thats the way you learn.
Summary
Good Solution, could use a little more user-friendly
GusterBearMay 19, 2011
Pros
- Fairly simple. Create, Mount, Format, Go. - Multitude of encryption options
Cons
- May be a little confusing for absolute novices, those with some PC experience should be able to get a virtual drive up and running fast - Needs better explanation of encryption options
Summary
This is a great program if you're not that person at work who calls the help desk to find the start button or the mouse when it's moved off of the screen. If you know what function the "tab" button does, you should be able to figure out the basics and thus begin encrypting your stuff. It could use a little more user-friendly layout, maybe a better wizard or a training tutorial, and most importantly a better explanation or guide for choosing the right encryption.
plain and simple security
jai333menonJuly 9, 2010
Pros
security is awsome and simple or complex as needed
Cons
needs extra steps required for 64 bit ops
Summary
Great, especially for securing flash drives
George5687March 19, 2010
Pros
Good PDF manual, download and read it carefully, explains the steps very well and easy to follow by anyone. Install as for any other windows program, and then it has a menu item to copy the software to a new USB drive, and you're away.
Cons
Could probably do with a 1-2-3-4 visual step/wizard to walk the novice through 1-create volume, 2-overwrite volume, 3-format volume, 4-mount volume, but wasn't as hard as the review implied. Think my files will be safe from the reviewer at least.
Summary
I wanted a safe encrypted flash drive to carry a portable installation of KeyPass around with me. Who wants to pay mega dollars for a flash drive with pre-bult encryption when you can pick them up cheap and putyour own on. I ran freeOTFE on the drive in Portable mode, set the options to open it in Portable mode and so after inserting the drive, the software atarts up and all you have to do is click on MOUNT and put in a password. Close the program and there's your new drive under My Computer, use it like any other, but all data on it is encrypted for you, and decrypted when you use it.
Plain and simple Security.
MrCrazy8March 13, 2010
Pros
Awesome security as simple or complex as needed.
Cons
Extra steps required for 64 bit OS.
Summary
Just plain Awesome. You can even do things your way if you choose!

Developer’s Description

Create virtual encrypted disks to secure your files.

FreeOTFE is a free, open source, "on-the-fly" (OTFE) transparent disk encryption program. Using this software, you can create one or more "virtual disks" on your PC - anything written to which will be automatically, and securely, encrypted before being stored.