Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - VeraCrypt

1. I forgot my password – is there any way to recover the files from my VeraCrypt
volume?

VeraCrypt does not allow recovery of any encrypted data without knowing the correct
password or key. We cannot recover your data because we do not know and cannot
determine the password you chose or the key you generated using VeraCrypt.

2. Can I directly play a video (.avi, .mpg, etc.) stored on a VeraCrypt volume?

Yes, VeraCrypt-encrypted volumes are like normal disks. You provide the correct
password (and/or keyfile) and mount (open) the VeraCrypt volume. When you
double click the icon of the video file, the operating system launches the
application associated with the file type – typically a media player.

3. How can I use VeraCrypt on a USB flash drive?

You have two options:

 Encrypt the entire USB flash drive. However, you will not be able run
VeraCrypt from the USB flash drive.

Note: Windows does not support multiple partitions on USB flash drives.

 Create a VeraCrypt file container on the USB flash drive (Follow the steps in
this tutorial). If you leave enough space on the USB flash drive (choose an
appropriate size for the VeraCrypt container), you will also be able to store
VeraCrypt on the USB flash drive (along with the container – not in the
container) and you will be able to run VeraCrypt from the USB flash drive.
4. Does VeraCrypt also encrypt file names and folder names?

Yes. The entire file system within a VeraCrypt volume is encrypted (including file
names, folder names, and contents of every file).

5. Can data be read from and written to an encrypted volume/drive as fast as if the
drive was not encrypted?

Yes, since VeraCrypt uses pipelining and parallelization.

6. Will I be able to mount my VeraCrypt volume (container) on any computer?

Yes, VeraCrypt volumes are independent of the operating system. You will be able to
mount your VeraCrypt volume on any computer on which you can run VeraCrypt

7. Can I unplug or turn off a hot-plug device (for example, a USB flash drive or USB
hard drive) when there is a mounted VeraCrypt volume on it?

Before you unplug or turn off the device, you should always dismount the VeraCrypt
volume in VeraCrypt first, and then perform the 'Eject' operation if available (right-
click the device in the 'Computer' or 'My Computer' list), or use the 'Safely Remove
Hardware' function (built in Windows, accessible via the taskbar notification area).
Otherwise, data loss may occur.

8. Will I be able to mount my VeraCrypt partition/container after I reinstall or

upgrade the operating system?

Yes, VeraCrypt volumes are independent of the operating system. However, you need
to make sure your operating system installer does not format the partition where your
VeraCrypt volume resides.
9. Can a volume be automatically mounted whenever I log on to Windows?

Yes. To do so, follow these steps:

 Mount the volume (to the drive letter to which you want it to be mounted every
time).
 Right-click the mounted volume in the drive list in the main VeraCrypt window and
select 'Add to Favorites'.
 The Favorites Organizer window should appear now. In this window, enable the
option 'Mount selected volume upon logon' and click OK.

Then, when you log on to Windows, you will be asked for the volume password (and/or
keyfiles) and if it is correct, the volume will be mounted.

Alternatively, if the volumes are partition/device-hosted and if you do not need to

mount them to particular drive letters every time, you can follow these steps:

 Select Settings > Preferences. The Preferences window should appear now.
 In the section 'Actions to perform upon logon to Windows', enable the option 'Mount
all devices-hosted VeraCrypt volumes' and click OK.

Note: VeraCrypt will not prompt you for a password if you have enabled caching of the
pre- boot authentication password (Settings > 'System Encryption') and the volumes
use the same password as the system partition/drive.

10. Can my pre-boot authentication password be cached so that I can use it mount
non-system volumes during the session?

Yes. Select Settings > 'System Encryption' and enable the following option: 'Cache pre-
boot authentication password in driver memory'.
11. Does VeraCrypt save my password to a disk?

No.

12. Is some hash of my password stored somewhere?

No.

13. Do I have to dismount VeraCrypt volumes before shutting down or restarting

Windows?

No. VeraCrypt automatically dismounts all mounted VeraCrypt volumes on system

shutdown/restart.

14. Does VeraCrypt support 64-bit versions of Windows?

Yes, it does.

15. Does VeraCrypt run on Mac OS X?

Yes.

16. Does VeraCrypt run on Linux?

Yes.

17. Is it possible to install an application to a Veracrypt volume and run it from there?

Yes.