# VeraCrypt

Application: IDRIX

Also called vera crypt, truecrypt fork

IDRIX, Security

A disk encryption fork of TrueCrypt. The window is VeraCrypt.exe. It is not BitLocker.

## What you need to know

VeraCrypt.exe is the TrueCrypt fork. BitLocker is the Windows feature.

VeraCrypt mounts encrypted containers and can encrypt a system disk. BitLocker is built into many Windows Pro PCs. TrueCrypt is the ended parent. They are not the same unlock story.

- **What is it?**: TrueCrypt fork for encrypted volumes

  **Same as BitLocker?**: No. Different product and unlock

  **TrueCrypt still OK?**: TrueCrypt ended. VeraCrypt is the fork

Feex says

If you wanted BitLocker, I would open Windows Settings, not VeraCrypt.exe. If you have a TrueCrypt container, VeraCrypt is the maintained fork. I would not encrypt C: with both.

## What is VeraCrypt?

VeraCrypt is a TrueCrypt fork for encrypted containers and system disks. VeraCrypt.exe is the Windows UI. BitLocker is Microsoft's in-box feature.

## If you have never used it

If you want a TrueCrypt-style container or system encrypt, this is VeraCrypt, not BitLocker. Download it from veracrypt.fr/en/Downloads.html. VeraCrypt.exe creates volumes you mount as a drive letter. BitLocker is the Windows feature on Pro editions. They can both exist. Do not encrypt the same volume twice without a plan.

## What is it used for?

**Encrypted file containers**

A container file mounts as a letter. BitLocker usually encrypts a whole volume Windows already has.

**System encryption**

VeraCrypt can encrypt the OS disk. That is a different pre-boot path than BitLocker TPM unlock.

**Hidden volumes**

A VeraCrypt layout TrueCrypt users know. BitLocker has no this hidden-volume model.

## Who is it for?

- People moving off TrueCrypt
- Users who want a container file, not BitLocker on C:
- Anyone on Windows Home who does not have BitLocker

## Current status

Actively maintained. This article is VeraCrypt for Windows, not BitLocker.

## How old is it?

VeraCrypt forked TrueCrypt in 2013 after TrueCrypt ended. Current Windows builds are VeraCrypt. A 2012 TrueCrypt 7.1a installer is the abandoned parent, not this app.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

VeraCrypt Windows

TrueCrypt 7.1a (legacy parent)

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per current VeraCrypt downloads |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | Light UI. Encryption cost follows disk I/O                |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: On every encrypted read and write

  **Disk demand**: The container or the encrypted volume

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| VeraCrypt.exe     | VeraCrypt UI. Not BitLocker |
| ----------------- | --------------------------- |
| veracrypt-x64.exe | Helper on some installs     |

## Startup components

Mounted volumes can remount at logon if you saved a favorite. System encryption starts before Windows.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\VeraCrypt\\ |
| --------------- | ---------------------------- |

## File formats

VeraCrypt container, TrueCrypt container (legacy)

## Common problems

### BitLocker plus VeraCrypt on the same C:

Two full-disk products is how people lose a boot. Pick one system-encryption owner.

### Lost header or password

There is no Microsoft account reset for a VeraCrypt volume. Backups of the header matter.

## Getting unstuck

### Download only from veracrypt.fr

A "TrueCrypt 2026" host is not IDRIX. BitLocker has no this installer.

### Mount the container in VeraCrypt.exe, not by double-clicking in Explorer

Explorer does not know the volume until VeraCrypt mounts it.

### If Windows already shows BitLocker on, do not add VeraCrypt system encrypt

Ask which product owns C: before you reboot into a second pre-boot password.

## Alternatives

BitLocker if you want the Windows feature on a supported edition. This is not an antivirus and not a VPN.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [www.veracrypt.fr/en/Downloads.html ](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Downloads.html)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Help          | [www.veracrypt.fr/en/Documentation.html ](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Documentation.html)Vendor support            |
| Official site | [www.veracrypt.fr/en/Home.html ](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Home.html)Start here, not a random exe host           |

## Related hardware

Encryption uses CPU on disk I/O. An SSD still helps. A TPM story is BitLocker's, not VeraCrypt's default model.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[Windows Security: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/windows-security)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [VeraCrypt official site ](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Home.html)· Vendor product page
- [VeraCrypt help ](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Documentation.html)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: IDRIX

  **Category**: Disk encryption

  **Process**: VeraCrypt.exe

  **License**: Open source. IDRIX / VeraCrypt

  **First released**: 2013

  **Official site**: [veracrypt.fr](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Home.html)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/veracrypt/)

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