Non system data volume on Win 10 suggestions

[John Doe]

Hello,

I just implemented Veracrypt 1.24/7 on my Windows 10 Pro system drive. No issues, works fine. I proceeded to encrypt my same physical drive but a separate partition Data volume. Upon completion VC states that the volume (Data label in my case) will be assigned a new drive letter and that the current drive letter (D: in my case) cannot be used unless I wish to decrypt the drive.

Why was this not stated BEFORE I encrypted the drive? Windows has a ton of programs mapped to my D: "Data" drive. So I had to decrypt it back so I could use the applications that were assigned.

I am wondering what tactic I could use here to get what I want, my encrypted D: drive to stay D? Could I assign a drive letter from D to say E temporarily, proceed to encrypt my data E drive, and once completed, assign AutoMount to this new encrypted volume with the drive letter D? I worry that windows will attempt some sort of remap to E and break things.

Without seeing the obvious as to why VC doesn't warn users of the drive letter change, does it not make sense to warn users prior to encryption of this drive letter assignment change prior to encryption?

Thank you

[hiddengod]

simply go to disk management, remove the letter D from your drive and you will be able to mount your vera stuff into D afterwards. You should never leave any assigned letter to the original drive anyway as you might end up formatting it by mistake

[John Doe]

Thank you, I will give that a go tonight and appreciate the response. Should I add this as a feature request, meaning, that this drive letter change warning should occur before the encryption and not after?

[Enigma2Illusion]

If Windows and/or your application crash when you boot Windows after encrypting the "data" partition, you need to use System Favorite Volumes.

I think the problem with the message which I copied from one of the language files shown below from the variable called AFTER_FORMAT_DRIVE_LETTER_WARN is that the message gives the impression that you cannot reuse the same drive letter and it can only be used in case you decrypt the partition/disk. Per the FAQ, you can remove the original drive letter and then you would be able to mount it to VeraCrypt.

The possible reason the message occurs after in-place encryption has completed is probably due to the user can defer, cancel or there is a failure to complete the encryption.

IMPORTANT: Please keep in mind that this volume can NOT be mounted/accessed using the drive letter %c:, which is currently assigned to it!

To mount this volume, click 'Auto-Mount Devices' in the main VeraCrypt window (alternatively, in the main VeraCrypt window, click 'Select Device', then select this partition/device, and click 'Mount'). The volume will be mounted to a different drive letter, which you select from the list in the main VeraCrypt window.

The original drive letter %c: should be used only in case you need to remove encryption from the partition/device (e.g., if you no longer need encryption). In such a case, right-click the drive letter %c: in the 'Computer' (or 'My Computer') list and select 'Format'. Otherwise, the drive letter %c: should never be used (unless you remove it, as described e.g. in the VeraCrypt FAQ, and assign it to another partition/device).

FAQ:

I encrypted a non-system partition, but its original drive letter is still visible in the 'My Computer' list. When I double click this drive letter, Windows asks if I want to format the drive. Is there a way to hide or free this drive letter?

Yes, to free the drive letter follow these steps:

1. Right-click the 'Computer' (or 'My Computer') icon on your desktop or in the Start Menu and select Manage. The 'Computer Management' window should appear.
2. From the list on the left, select 'Disk Management' (within the Storage sub-tree).
3. Right-click the encrypted partition/device and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.
4. Click Remove.
5. If Windows prompts you to confirm the action, click Yes.

[Enigma2Illusion]

Created ticket to see if the developer wants to change the message.

https://sourceforge.net/p/veracrypt/tickets/449/