Windows 10: How do I password protect a USB external disk drive without encrypting the data?

I have a Western Digital external disk drive I use in a USB port, and I would like to password protect the drive but I don't require encrypting the data. Seems this would be easy to do, but I can't find a utility that doesn't require encryption.If anyone wishes to respond, my email is *** Email address is removed for privacy *** you.

:)

 

external drive and encryption?

This question is two-fold.

First I would like an external enclosure that is rugged and shock resistant (static electricity and the like, being winter and all) for a 3.5inch SATA drive.
Barring that, an external drive with the above. What would you guys recommend?

Also, I was wondering, is there a tool to encrypt the entire hard drive, but that does NOT ask to format said encrypted disk? I tried TrueCrypt, and last time I did, it asked me to format the drive because it was not recognized. I know there are alternatives, but I forgot their names. Price is of no concern if it is able to do so. any suggestions? Does Windows not show "drive must be formatted" on TrueCrypt drives anymore?

Best way would be if I plug in the drive, it asks for password automatically or something...

 

Password Protecting Sensitive Data

If you use bitlocker to encrypt the folder then it uses your Windows credentials to unlock the certificate store and allow you access to the folder. This means that they have to know your Windows password to log into Windows to gain access to the folder. Also, if they use one of those 3rd party password reset tools to change or reset your password the certificate store will reject the new credentials and not allow access to the folder. The same goes if they try to put the drive in another computer, there would be no way for them to read the encrypted folder. The only way this method would fail would be if you left your computer on and logged in, and someone walked up to it and started using it.

As for an encrypted Zip file using 7-zip, there is no way to access the data in the file without the password.

 

Password Protecting Sensitive Data

Thanks. Sorry for the noobishness, but would the encrypted folders also be password protected so they couldn't be accessed even if the person had the computer or drive?