What does encrypt backups mean on Windows? Is it possible to encrypt backups? Should you encrypt backups? How do I encrypt a backup file? Today, MiniTool will focus on backup encryption in this post, and let’s look through this guide to find what you need.

Nowadays advancing threats are full of cyber landscape and hackers always attempt to invade your computer, leading to the data being at risk. Anyone could be the victim of a cyberattack or data loss incident, which means no individual or business is safe.

To safeguard your PC data, having a backup is very important in quick data recovery when files get lost due to viruses and malicious attacks. However, more and more cybercriminals target backups, for example, they try to let them useless or delete them. It is not enough to only create backups. Then, backup encryption is taken into account by many persons.

What’s Backup Encryption & Should You Encrypt Backups

Encryption refers to the process of converting data or information to a code to block unauthorized access. In terms of backup encryption, it helps convert unencrypted data or plaintext to encrypted data or ciphertext, which is helpful to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of data. The purpose is to prevent unauthorized persons from knowing or using it.

If you encrypt backups of files, system, disks, or partitions, only the one who knows the password can use the backups to restore your PC to an earlier state or recover lost data, which makes sure security since it can prevent identity theft and blackmail. Besides, backup encryption can make sure data integrity if your device is hacked, stolen, or lost.

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How to Encrypt Backups

In regard to backup encryption, you can find multiple ways online and one way is to run a professional encryption program like AxCrypt, CryptoExpert, VeraCrypt, CryptoForge, etc. These tools can encrypt your files by using a password or a key file.

In addition, you can choose to use professional encryption backup software that can help back up your computer along with the encryption feature. Here, we choose this way for backup encryption.

To create encrypted backups, we strongly recommend that you use MiniTool ShadowMaker – a reliable and free backup software for Windows 11/10/8/7. It can help to create backups for your Windows operating system, selected partitions, a disk, and files/folders. During the backup process, the backup source is compressed into an image file. Besides, this software offers a feature to encrypt the backup image file via a password.

Now, click the download button to get a .exe file and install MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial Edition on your PC. Then, follow the steps below to start creating an encrypted backup.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 1: Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker by double-clicking on the icon and clicking Keep Trial after finishing the loading process.

Step 2: In the main interface, click Backup and click SOURCE to choose the backup source – Windows system, files/folders, a disk, or partition. By default, system partitions are selected for system backup.

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Step 3: Click DESTINATION to choose a path to store the backup image file. An external hard drive or USB flash drive is a good option.

Step 4: To encrypt your backup, click Options > Backup Options > Password, enable password protection, and then enter a password to encrypt the backup. AES128 data encryption is supported. Next, click OK to go back to the Backup main interface.

encrypt backup image file in MiniTool ShadowMaker

Step 5: Click the Back Up Now button to start a backup task at once.

MiniTool ShadowMaker back up files

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Final Words

After reading this post, you know what backup encryption is and how to use the professional encryption backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker to encrypt backups. If you have a need, just get this software to have a try.

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