How it works

Two steps for you. One click for them.

Here's exactly what happens on both ends of the process, and why it can't be intercepted.

Sender workflow

What you do, step by step.

Five steps in FileLocker, start to finish, usually under a minute.

01

Plug in your USB drive

FileLocker detects connected drives automatically and lists them for you to choose from.

02

Select your file or folder

Choose any file, or a whole folder — FileLocker zips folders in memory automatically before encrypting.

03

Set a vault password

A built-in strength meter confirms your password is strong enough, and you can add an optional hint for your recipient.

04

FileLocker encrypts the file

AES-256-GCM encryption runs locally, with the key derived from your password using Argon2id.

05

Done — drive ready to hand off

The encrypted vault and a standalone Unlock_Vault.html file are written to the USB. Unplug and deliver.

Recipient workflow

What your client does, step by step.

Three steps. No install. No account. No internet connection required.

01

Plug in the USB drive

They open the drive in their file explorer like any other USB drive — no special software needed to view it.

02

Open Unlock_Vault.html and enter the password

Double-clicking the file opens it directly in their default browser — Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox all work.

03

Their file downloads automatically

The moment the password is verified, the original file decrypts locally and downloads straight to their computer.

BEHIND THE SCENES

What's actually happening

Every file is encrypted with AES-256-GCM, the same cipher standard approved for top-secret data. Your password never becomes the encryption key directly — that would be too easy to guess-and-check.

KEY DERIVATION

Why Argon2id matters

Argon2id turns your password into a cryptographic key using deliberately heavy memory and time costs, making automated brute-force guessing computationally impractical, even on powerful hardware.

WHY IT HOLDS UP

No shortcuts, no backdoors

There's no master key, no recovery service, and no way for FileLocker to unlock a vault on your behalf. That's what makes the encryption real instead of theatrical.

See it in action

From encrypt to decrypt in under 2 minutes.

Watch the full workflow — a lawyer encrypts a confidential brief and their client unlocks it without installing a single app.

90 SECONDS · CAPTIONED · NO SOFTWARE REQUIRED TO WATCH

FAQ

Common workflow questions.

Do I need an internet connection at any point?+

No. Both encryption and decryption happen entirely offline, on the local device. No step in the process requires a network connection.

Can I encrypt more than one file at a time?+

Yes — select a folder instead of a single file, and FileLocker automatically zips its contents in memory before encrypting the archive as one vault.

What happens if my client enters the wrong password?

They can simply try again. On Standard there's no attempt limit; Pro lets you configure a lockout after a set number of failed attempts, with a recovery key held by you.

Does the recipient need admin rights on their computer?+

No. Opening an HTML file and using their browser's built-in Web Crypto API requires no elevated permissions of any kind.

See the whole workflow for yourself.

$29 one-time. No subscription, no recurring fees, lifetime updates included.