Gilisoft Full Disk Encryption

What is included in Gilisoft Full Disk Encryption?

Full Disk Encryption – Encrypts every partition including the system drive.
Pre-Boot Authentication – Password is required before Windows starts.
Transparent Encryption – Data is encrypted automatically while written.
Removable Media Encryption – Protects USB drives and SD cards.
Core Capacity – Secures internal disks plus removable storage together.
Important – GPT and UEFI boot setups are unsupported.

What are the main benefits of Gilisoft Full Disk Encryption?

Gilisoft Full Disk Encryption is Windows software that encrypts whole drives, partitions, and removable media so the contents cannot be read when a device is powered off or physically removed. Access is controlled by a password entered before Windows loads, which protects data on lost or stolen hardware.

Theft Protection – Data stays locked if hardware is stolen.
Low Maintenance – Runs automatically after the startup password.
Removable Drive Coverage – Encrypts USB and SD media affordably.
DLP Building Block – Pairs with USB Lock for control.
Emergency Access Disc – LiveCD restores data after boot failures.
Tamper Resistance – Uninstall lock blocks unauthorized program removal.

Why backups protect against expensive data loss
For more background on backup planning, read our guide:

What does Gilisoft Full Disk Encryption do?

It encrypts entire Windows drives and partitions, including the system partition, and blocks access behind a password entered before the operating system loads. After the password is given at startup, encryption is transparent: data is encrypted as it is written, so users do not manage it during normal work. It protects all endpoint content, including user data, operating system files, and temporary and erased files. The same tool also encrypts USB drives and SD cards, so internal storage and portable media are handled in one place.

Does it work with GPT disks and UEFI boot?

No. The product does not support GPT partition tables and will not encrypt the boot partition on a GPT drive. To encrypt the system partition, the disk must use an MBR layout with BIOS UEFI and Memory Fast Boot disabled; a GPT drive has to be converted to MBR first. This matters because most laptops shipped with Windows 10 or 11 use GPT and UEFI by default, so the disk layout and boot mode should be checked before purchase. On a non-compatible system you can still protect data partitions and removable media, but full boot-partition protection will not apply.

How is it different from GiliSoft USB Lock and File Lock Pro?

Full Disk Encryption secures whole drives and partitions at rest, while File Lock Pro hides or password-protects selected folders inside Windows, and USB Lock blocks unauthorized USB ports and devices. Choose Full Disk Encryption when the risk is a lost or stolen drive that someone could remove and read on another computer. You can combine it with USB Lock to build a data-loss-prevention rule that only allows encrypted USB disks to connect and blocks all others. For folder-level privacy without encrypting a full drive, File Lock Pro is the better fit.

What happens if the system will not boot or access is lost?

Before encrypting the system partition, GiliSoft strongly recommends creating a bootable LiveCD/DVD that can mount or decrypt the drive in an emergency. The LiveCD image is requested from support@gilisoft.com and burned to a disc; booting from it lets you reach the data if Windows cannot start. Encryption does not erase the drive, so existing files remain in place, but losing the password without the recovery disc can mean losing access to the data. For this reason, passwords should be recorded securely and the recovery disc prepared before encrypting a boot drive.

Who is Gilisoft Full Disk Encryption best suited for?

It fits Windows laptops, shared workstations, and field computers that store confidential files and could be physically lost or stolen. Because authentication happens before Windows loads, someone who removes the drive and attaches it to another machine still cannot read the contents directly. It also suits teams that need evidence of data-at-rest protection for audits, since it covers internal disks alongside USB and SD media in a single tool. The trade-off is scope: it protects storage at the drive or partition level rather than locking individual folders after login.

Frequently asked questions about Gilisoft Full Disk Encryption

Does it erase data when it encrypts a drive?

No. The drive is not wiped during encryption; existing files stay in place and are protected, while new data is encrypted as it is written. Encrypting or decrypting a full system disk can take several hours, so it is best run when the computer is not needed for active work.

Can I encrypt only a USB or SD card without touching the system disk?

Yes. The program separates fixed disks and removable drives into different views, and you select individual disks or partitions to encrypt. This lets you protect a single USB stick or SD card on its own, which is useful for transfer, backup, or partner handoff without encrypting the whole PC.

Does it run on macOS?

No. It is a Windows-only tool, supporting 32-bit and 64-bit Windows from 2000 through 11. Organizations with Mac computers need a separate solution for the macOS side, as this product does not cover them.