Introduction to *VeraCrypt*
==========================================================

*[VeraCrypt](https://www.veracrypt.fr/)* is a
disk encryption tool that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Comparison between *LUKS* and *VeraCrypt*

You can also create and open *LUKS* encrypted volumes in Tails. *LUKS* is the standard for disk encryption in Linux. [[See our documentation about *LUKS*.|encrypted_volumes]]

To create new *VeraCrypt* volumes, do so outside of Tails. See the step-by-step guides by Security-in-a-Box on [VeraCrypt for Windows](https://securityinabox.org/en/tools/veracrypt/).

With *VeraCrypt* you can store your files encrypted in two different kinds of *volumes*:

To unlock a *VeraCrypt* volume, you might need the following parameters, depending on the options that were selected when the volume was created:

**Passphrase**

**Keyfiles**: instead of or in addition to the passphrase, a *VeraCrypt* volume can be unlocked using a particular file or set of files.

[See the *VeraCrypt* documentation on
keyfiles.](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Keyfiles.html)

**PIM**: a number that is needed if it was specified when creating the *VeraCrypt* volume.

[See the *VeraCrypt* documentation on
PIM.](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Personal%20Iterations%20Multiplier%20\(PIM\).html)

**Hidden volume**: if you want to unlock the hidden volume inside the *VeraCrypt* volume.

[See the *VeraCrypt* documentation on hidden
volumes.](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Hidden%20Volume.html)

**System volume**: if you want to unlock an encrypted Windows system partition.

[See the *VeraCrypt* documentation on
encrypting a Windows system partition.](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/System%20Encryption.html)

Choose **Applications ▸ Utilities ▸ Unlock VeraCrypt Volumes**.

Click **Add** and choose the file container that you want to unlock.

*Unlock VeraCrypt Volumes* unlocks your volume.

If unlocking the volume fails (for example, if you mistyped the
password), click on **Unlock** to try
unlocking again.