Minor improvements and bug fixes  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Full compatibility with 64-bit and 32-bit Mac OS X 10.7 Lion

Minor improvements and bug fixes  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Workaround for a bug in some custom (non-Microsoft) drivers for storage device controllers that caused a system crash when initiating hibernation on TrueCrypt-encrypted operating systems.  (Windows 7/Vista/2008/2008R2)

Other minor improvements  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Minor bug fixes  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Hardware-accelerated AES (for more information, see the chapter Hardware Acceleration).

Note: If you want to disable hardware acceleration, select Settings > Performance and disable the option 'Accelerate AES encryption/decryption by using the AES instructions of the processor'.

A volume can now be configured to be automatically mounted whenever its host device gets connected to the computer (provided that the correct password and/or keyfiles are supplied).  (Windows)

Note: For example, if you have a TrueCrypt container on a USB flash drive and you want to configure TrueCrypt to mount it automatically whenever you insert the USB flash drive into the USB port, follow these steps: 1. Mount the volume. 2. Right-click the mounted volume in the drive list in the main TrueCrypt window and select 'Add to Favorites'. 3. The Favorites Organizer window should appear. In it, enable the option 'Mount selected volume when its host device gets connected' and click OK.

Also note that TrueCrypt will not prompt you for a password if you have enabled caching of the pre-boot authentication password (Settings > 'System Encryption') and the volume uses the same password as the system partition/drive. The same applies to cached non-system volume passwords.

Partition/device-hosted volumes can now be created on drives that use a sector size of 4096, 2048, or 1024 bytes (Windows, Linux).  Note: Previously only file-hosted volumes were supported on such drives.

Favorite Volumes Organizer (Favorites > 'Organize Favorite Volumes' or 'Organize System Favorite Volumes'), which allows you to set various options for each favorite volume. For example, any of them can be mounted upon logon, as read-only or removable medium, can be assigned a special label (which is shown within the user interface instead of the volume path), excluded from hotkey mount, etc. The order in which favorite volumes are displayed in the Favorites Organizer window can be changed and it is the order in which the volumes are mounted (e.g. when Windows starts or by pressing the 'Mount Favorite Volumes' hotkey). For more information, see the chapters Favorite Volumes and System Favorite Volumes.  (Windows)

The Favorites menu now contains a list of your non-system favorite volumes. When you select a volume from the list, you are asked for its password (and/or keyfiles) (unless it is cached) and if it is correct, the volume is mounted. (Windows)

In response to our public complaint regarding the missing API for encryption of Windows hibernation files, Microsoft began providing a public API for encryption of hibernation files on Windows Vista and later versions of Windows (for more information, see the section TrueCrypt 5.1a in this version history). Starting with this version 7.0, TrueCrypt uses this API to encrypt hibernation and crash dump files in a safe documented way. (Windows 7/Vista/2008/2008R2)

Note: As Windows XP and Windows 2003 do not provide any API for encryption of hibernation files, TrueCrypt has to modify undocumented components of Windows XP/2003 in order to allow users to encrypt hibernation files. Therefore, TrueCrypt cannot guarantee that Windows XP/2003 hibernation files will always be encrypted. Therefore, if you use Windows XP/2003 and want the hibernation file to be safely encrypted, we strongly recommend that you upgrade to Windows Vista or later and to TrueCrypt 7.0 or later. For more information, see the section Hibernation File.  

Many minor improvements.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Minor bug fixes.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

TrueCrypt no longer supports device-hosted volumes located on floppy disks. Note: You can still create file-hosted TrueCrypt volumes on floppy disks.

Minor improvements and bug fixes.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Full support for Windows 7.

Full support for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

The ability to configure selected volumes as 'system favorite volumes'. This is useful, for example, when you have volumes that need to be mounted before system and application services start and before users start logging on. It is also useful when there are network-shared folders located on a TrueCrypt volume and you need to ensure that the network shares will be restored by the system each time it is restarted. For more information, see the chapter System Favorite Volumes.  (Windows)

'Favorite' volumes residing within partitions or dynamic volumes will no longer be affected by changes in disk device numbers, which may occur, e.g., when a drive is removed or added. Note: If you use a favorite volume list saved by TrueCrypt 6.2a or earlier and you want to take advantage of this improvement, you need to resave the list using TrueCrypt 6.3.  (Windows)

Many other minor improvements and bug fixes.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Improved file container creation speed on systems having issues with write block sizes greater than 64 KB.  (Windows)

The 'Device not ready' error will no longer occur when the process of decryption of a system partition/drive is finished.  (Windows)

Other minor improvements and bug fixes.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

The I/O pipeline now uses read-ahead buffering, which improves read performance especially on solid-state drives, typically by 30-50%.  (Windows)

The boot loader now supports motherboards with BIOSes that reserve large amounts of base memory (typically for onboard RAID controllers). Note: In order to be able to take advantage of this improvement under Windows Vista, you will have to install Service Pack 1 or higher first. Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista resolved an issue causing a shortage of free base memory during system boot.  (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

Mounting using the 'Auto-Mount Devices' feature may take significantly less time as partitions containing unencrypted filesystems are now skipped.  (Windows)

When volumes that are mounted as read-only or removable are saved as favorite volumes, they are mounted as read-only and/or removable when 'Mount Favorite Volumes' is used.

When a multiple-pass wipe algorithm is selected when performing in-place encryption of a non-system volume, the header areas will be wiped before the encrypted headers are written to the disk. Note: On an existing volume, you can perform such an operation by changing its password and/or keyfiles.  (Windows Vista/2008)

Many other minor improvements, bug fixes and security enhancements.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Minor improvements, bug fixes, and security enhancements.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Ability to encrypt a non-system partition without losing existing data on the partition. (Windows Vista/2008)

Note: To encrypt a non-system partition in place, click 'Create Volume' > 'Encrypt a non-system partition' > 'Standard volume' > 'Select Device' > 'Encrypt partition in place' and then follow the instructions in the wizard. Please note that this is not supported on Windows XP/2000/2003 as these versions of Windows do not natively support shrinking of a filesystem (the filesystem needs to be shrunk to make space for the volume header and backup header).

Support for security tokens and smart cards (for more information, see section Security Tokens and Smart Cards in chapter Keyfiles).

The TrueCrypt boot loader can be prevented from displaying any texts (by selecting Settings > System Encryption and enabling the option 'Do not show any texts in the pre-boot authentication screen').

The TrueCrypt boot loader can now display a custom message (select Settings > System Encryption and enter the message in the corresponding field) either without any other texts or along with the standard TrueCrypt boot loader texts.

Pre-boot authentication passwords can now be cached in the driver memory, which allows them to be used for mounting of non-system TrueCrypt volumes (select Settings > System Encryption and enable the option 'Cache pre-boot authentication password').

Linux and Mac OS X versions: The ability to mount a Windows system partition encrypted by TrueCrypt and to mount a partition located on a Windows system drive that is fully encrypted by a Windows version of TrueCrypt.

Protection against memory corruption caused by bugs in certain versions of some BIOSes, which prevented the TrueCrypt boot loader from working properly. (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

During the process of creation of a hidden operating system, TrueCrypt now securely erases the entire content of the partition where the original system resides after the hidden system has been created. The user is then prompted to install a new system on the partition and encrypt it using TrueCrypt (thus the decoy system is created).

Many other improvements.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Many minor bug fixes and security improvements.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

On systems where certain inappropriately designed chipset drivers were installed, it was impossible to encrypt the system partition/drive. This will no longer occur.  
(Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

Other minor bug fixes.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Parallelized encryption/decryption on multi-core processors (or multi-processor systems). Increase in encryption/decryption speed is directly proportional to the number of cores and/or processors.

For example, if your computer has a quad-core processor, encryption and decryption will be four times faster than on a single-core processor with equivalent specifications (likewise, it will be twice faster on dual-core processors, etc.)

[View benchmark results]

Ability to create and run an encrypted hidden operating system whose existence should be impossible to prove (provided that certain guidelines are followed).  For more information, see the section Hidden Operating System.   (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

For security reasons, when a hidden operating system is running, TrueCrypt ensures that all local unencrypted filesystems and non-hidden TrueCrypt volumes are read-only. (Data is allowed to be written to filesystems within hidden TrueCrypt volumes.)

Note: We recommend that hidden volumes are mounted only when a hidden operating system is running. For more information, see the subsection Security Requirements and Precautions Pertaining to Hidden Volumes.

On Windows Vista and Windows 2008, it is now possible to encrypt an entire system drive even if it contains extended/logical partitions. (Note that on Windows XP you can encrypt an entire system drive too, but it must contain only primary partitions.)

New volume format that increases reliability, performance and expandability:

For more information about the new volume format, see the section TrueCrypt Volume Format Specification.

Note: Volumes created by previous versions of TrueCrypt can be mounted using this version of TrueCrypt.

Ability to create hidden volumes under Mac OS X and Linux.

On Linux, TrueCrypt now uses native kernel cryptographic services (by default) for volumes encrypted in XTS mode. This increases read/write speed in most cases. However, the FUSE driver must still be used when the volume is encrypted in a deprecated mode of operation (LRW or CBC), or when mounting an outer volume with hidden-volume protection, or when using an old version of the Linux kernel that does not support XTS mode.

Up to 20% faster resuming from hibernation when the system partition/drive is encrypted. (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

Many other improvements.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Encrypted system partitions/drives can no longer be permanently decrypted using the TrueCrypt Boot Loader (however, it is still possible using the TrueCrypt Rescue Disk). (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

Note: This was done in order to reduce the memory requirements for the TrueCrypt Boot Loader, which was necessary to enable the implementation of support for hidden operating systems.

When Windows XP was installed on a FAT16 or FAT32 partition (as opposed to an NTFS partition) and the user attempted to encrypt the system partition (or system drive), the system encryption pretest failed. This will no longer occur.

Many other minor bug fixes and security improvements (preventing e.g. denial-of-service attacks). (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Faster booting when the system partition/drive is encrypted (typically by 10%).   (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

Other minor improvements.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

On computers with certain hardware configurations, resuming from hibernation failed when the system partition was encrypted. Note: If you encountered this problem, the content of RAM may have been saved unencrypted to the hibernation file. You can erase such data, for example, by decrypting the system partition/drive (select System > Permanently Decrypt System Partition/Drive) and then encrypting it again.  (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

Remark: As Microsoft does not provide any API for handling hibernation, non-Microsoft developers of disk encryption software are forced to modify undocumented components of Windows in order to allow users to encrypt hibernation files. Therefore, no disk encryption software (except for Microsoft's BitLocker) can guarantee that hibernation files will always be encrypted. At anytime, Microsoft can arbitrarily modify components of Windows (using the auto-update feature of Windows) that are not publicly documented or accessible via a public API. Any such change, or the use of an untypical or custom storage device driver, may cause any non-Microsoft disk encryption software to fail to encrypt the hibernation file. We plan to file a complaint with Microsoft (and if rejected, with the European Commission) about this issue, also due to the fact that Microsoft's disk encryption software, BitLocker, is not disadvantaged by this.

[Update 2008-04-02: Although we have not filed any complaint with Microsoft yet, we were contacted (on March 27) by Scott Field, a lead Architect in the Windows Client Operating System Division at Microsoft, who stated that he would like to investigate our requirements and look at possible solutions. We responded on March 31 providing details of the issues and suggested solutions.]

[Update 2009-05-10: Since April 2008, we have been working with Microsoft to explore possible ways to solve this issue. We have private access to a draft version of a document specifying the future API, which should allow us to solve the issue on Windows Vista and later versions of Windows. Note: We have been asked not to disclose the content of the document to any third parties, so please do not ask us to send you a copy of the document.]

[Update 2010-07-19: Microsoft began providing a public API for encryption of hibernation files on Windows Vista and later versions of Windows. Since version 7.0, TrueCrypt has used this API and therefore has been able to safely encrypt hibernation files under Windows Vista and later versions of Windows. Therefore, if you use Windows XP/2003 and want the hibernation file to be safely encrypted, we strongly recommend that you upgrade to Windows Vista or later and to TrueCrypt 7.0 or later.]

Workaround for a bug in the BIOS of some Apple computers that prevented users from entering pre-boot authentication passwords and controlling the TrueCrypt Boot Loader.   (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

When the system partition/drive is decrypted under Windows, the original partition table will not be restored. Note: This issue affected users who repartitioned an encrypted system drive and then decrypted it under Windows.   (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

Other minor bug fixes.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Support for hibernation on computers where the system partition is encrypted (previous versions of TrueCrypt prevented the system from hibernating when the system partition was encrypted). (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

Ability to mount a partition that is within the key scope of system encryption without pre-boot authentication (for example, a partition located on the encrypted system drive of another operating system that is not running).   (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

Note: This can be useful e.g. when there is a need to back up or repair an operating system encrypted by TrueCrypt (from within another operating system).

Command line options for creating new volumes.  (Linux and Mac OS X)

Increased speed of AES encryption/decryption (depending on the hardware platform, by 30-140%).    (Windows)

Faster booting when the system partition/drive is encrypted.   (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

When the system partition/drive is encrypted, the TrueCrypt Boot Loader is now stored in a compressed form and is, therefore, smaller. If a non-cascade encryption algorithm is used (i.e., AES, Serpent, or Twofish), the TrueCrypt Boot Loader is now small enough so that a backup of the TrueCrypt Boot Loader can be (and is) stored in the first drive track. Whenever the TrueCrypt Boot Loader is damaged, its backup copy is run automatically instead.

As a result of this improvement, the following problem will no longer occur: Certain inappropriately designed activation software (used for activation of some third-party software) writes data to the first drive track, thus damaging the TrueCrypt Boot Loader. The affected users had to use the TrueCrypt Rescue Disk to repair the TrueCrypt Boot Loader. This will no longer be necessary after upgrading to this version of TrueCrypt (provided that the system partition/drive is encrypted using a non-cascade encryption algorithm, i.e., AES, Serpent, or Twofish).

Note: If your system partition/drive is currently encrypted using a non-cascade encryption algorithm (i.e., AES, Serpent, or Twofish), a backup copy of the TrueCrypt Boot Loader will be automatically stored in the first drive track when you upgrade to this version of TrueCrypt.

The minimum memory requirements for the TrueCrypt Boot Loader (AES) have been reduced from 42 KB to 27 KB (twenty-seven kilobytes). This allows users to encrypt system partitions/drives on computers where the BIOS reserves a large amount of memory (provided that the AES encryption algorithm is used).  (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

Many other minor improvements.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

On some computers, when performing the system encryption pretest, Windows failed to display the log-on screen. This will no longer occur.   (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)

On some systems, drive letters were not correctly assigned to newly mounted non-system volumes. This will no longer occur.  (Windows)

Many other minor bug fixes.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

The memory requirements for the TrueCrypt Boot Loader have been reduced by 18 KB (eighteen kilobytes). As a result of this improvement, the following problem will no longer occur on most of the affected computers: The memory requirements of the TrueCrypt Boot Loader 5.0 prevented users of some computers from encrypting system partitions/drives (when performing the system encryption pretest, the TrueCrypt Boot Loader displayed the following error message: Insufficient memory for encryption).

On computers equipped with certain brands of audio cards, when performing the system encryption pretest or when the system partition/drive is encrypted, the sound card drivers failed to load. This will no longer occur.   (Windows Vista/XP/2003)

It is possible to access mounted TrueCrypt volumes over a network.   (Windows)

TrueCrypt Rescue Disks created by the previous version could not be booted on some computers. This will no longer occur.  (Windows Vista/XP/2003)

Note: If your TrueCrypt Rescue Disk created by TrueCrypt 5.0 cannot be booted on your computer, please upgrade to this version of TrueCrypt and then create a new TrueCrypt Rescue Disk (select 'System' > 'Create Rescue Disk').

Many other minor bug fixes.  (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)

Ability to encrypt a system partition/drive (i.e. a partition/drive where Windows is installed) with pre-boot authentication (anyone who wants to gain access and use the system, read and write files, etc., needs to enter the correct password each time before the system starts). For more information, see the chapter System Encryption.   (Windows Vista/XP/2003)

Pipelined operations increasing read/write speed by up to 100%   (Windows)

Mac OS X version

Graphical user interface for the Linux version of TrueCrypt

The TrueCrypt Volume Creation Wizard now allows creation of hidden volumes within NTFS volumes.  (Windows Vista/XP/2003/2008)

XTS mode of operation, which was designed by Phillip Rogaway in 2003 and which was recently approved as the IEEE 1619 standard for cryptographic protection of data on block-oriented storage devices. XTS is faster and more secure than LRW mode (for more information on XTS mode, see the section Modes of Operation).

Note: New volumes created by this version of TrueCrypt can be encrypted only in XTS mode. However, volumes created by previous versions of TrueCrypt can still be mounted using this version of TrueCrypt.

SHA-512 hash algorithm (replacing SHA-1, which is no longer available when creating new volumes).

Note: To re-encrypt the header of an existing volume with a header key derived using HMAC-SHA-512 (PRF), select 'Volumes' > 'Set Header Key Derivation Algorithm'.

The Linux version of TrueCrypt has been redesigned so that it will no longer be affected by changes to the Linux kernel (kernel upgrades/updates).