[[!meta title="Creating and using LUKS encrypted volumes"]]

- The *Disks* utility allows you to create encrypted volumes.

- The GNOME desktop allows you to open encrypted volumes.

<h1 id="creating">Creating an encrypted partition</h1>

<h2 id="identifying">Identifying your external storage device</h2>

The *Disks* utility lists all the current storage devices on the left side of the screen.

A new device appears in the list of storage devices. Click on it.

<h2 id="formatting">Formatting the device</h2>

In the **Format Disk** dialog:

<h2 id="partition">Creating a new encrypted partition</h2>

Now the schema of the partitions in the middle of the screen shows an empty device:

[[!img empty_device.png link=no alt="Free Space 123 GB"]]

In the <span class="guilabel">Create Partition</span> screen:

<span class="guilabel">Partition Size</span>: you can create a partition on the whole device or only on part of it.

You can give a name to the partition.
This name remains invisible until the partition is open but can help
you to identify it during use.

<div class="caution">

In the <span class="guilabel">Set Password</span> screen:

<span class="guilabel">Password</span>: type a passphrase for the encrypted partition and repeat it to confirm.

<div class="tip">

Then click <span class="bold">Create</span>.