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When plugging a USB external hard drive encrypted with VeryCrypt, VeraCrypt detects it and asks for the password (this is expected, and works well thanks to the Favorite Volumes > Mount selected volume when its host device gets connected feature!)...

... but this message is also displayed: You need for format the disk...

enter image description here

The reason is obvious: the partition is unreadable for Windows, so Windows suggests to format it.

Is there a way to avoid this message on each USB connection of the encrypted external hard drive?

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1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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I did many tests, and finally one was working with VeraCrypt:

  • Encrypt a non-system partition/drive > Standard VeraCrypt Volume > Select Device

  • Then instead of clicking on a partition, choose the disk, e.g. Harddisk 2

This will encrypt the whole disk and not only a partition:

Benefits:

  • No "unreabable disk for Windows" icon:

    enter image description here

    will be seen in Windows Explorer / Computer

  • No "You need to format the disk in drive ..." will be displayed when plugging the USB hard drive

Drawback:

  • The Favorite Volumes > Mount selected volume when its host device gets connected doesn't work anymore :(

    enter image description here

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  • So you make the drive un-partitioned, with no MBR/GPT? Doesn't windows still ask to format it? A really empty disk would be un-partitioned too
    – Xen2050
    Nov 23, 2018 at 13:00
  • @Xen2050 It doesn't ask to format it when you plug it. But it asks to re-intialize it (MBR) if you open the usual Windows Disk Management panel.
    – Basj
    Nov 23, 2018 at 13:50

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