Windows 10: Is there any way to get BitLocker for free on Windows 11/password-protect USB sticks for free?

I'm trying to add a password to my USB sticks on Windows 11, but it seems that the only way to do that is through BitLocker, which is seemingly only available in the Windows 10/11 Pro version; is there any way to password protect my USB sticks for free, or do I need to download the Pro version to enable this feature? Thank you.

:)

 

Protecting files on a USB stick?

Do you have a version of Windows 7 that has BitLocker?
BitLocker is only available in the Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise editions.

Here are some web sited that explain it:

Quote from WindowsNetworking.com:

Another: Encrypt Removable USB Flash Drives with BitLocker @ Tweaks.com

And, Secure your USB drives with BitLocker To Go for Windows 7 @ TechRepublic

 

Installing windows off of a USB stick

Step By Step from vista:
From admin cmd prompt

1. diskpart
1a. list disk
2. select disk 1 (replace 1 with your usb drive)
3. clean
4. create partition primary
5. select partition 1 (replace 1 with your usb drive)
6. active
7. format fs=fat32
8. assign
9. exit

Copy Windows Vista's DVD ROM content to the Flash Drive

xcopy d:\*.* /s/e/f e:\ (d being your vista cd and e being your usb stick)

And that's it, boot off your usb disk

 

update windows 10 usb stick

Sometimes there is a little button on the stick enabling hardware write protection.

If you checked and there is none it is most likely software write protection.

To turn that off in windows please follow those steps:

1. Press "Win + R" > Type: cmd and hit Enter to open "Command Prompt".

2. Type: diskpart and hit Enter to open diskpart.

3. Type: list disk and hit Enter.

4. Type: select disk X (where X is the number of your write protected USB/SD/hard drive) and hit Enter.

5. Type: attributes disk clear readonly and hit Enter to disable write protection on the storage device.

6. Close the diskpart window once the write protection removing process is finished.

This should solve the issue unless the stick is locked by you with bitlocker encryption.

Then we need to do some addiditional steps.

If you have problems execution those steps or they dont solve the problem please get back to me.