Leaving a Company? Start Here: the fastest safe way to take your personal files with you
Quick answer: move your personal files into an encrypted container, copy that single secure file to your own storage, then wipe traces from the work device. On Windows, the fastest path is Folder Lock to create an encrypted Locker, copy it to a USB or personal drive, then use Secure Shred to clean the source. On Mac, create an encrypted disk image in Disk Utility, copy it, then sign out and clear residuals. Finish with a light NIST style sanitization checklist to be sure nothing personal remains.
What this guide gives you
- A clean, step by step off-boarding workflow that works in real offices with real permissions
- Tutorials for Windows and Mac using built in tools and trusted utilities
- A practical wipe and verify checklist aligned to NIST SP 800 88 ideas of clear, purge, destroy for end users
- Troubleshooting for stuck files, permission errors, long paths, and missing encryption options
- A realistic case for why Folder Lock is the most convenient all in one choice on Windows right now and exactly how to use it
Ground rules before you touch a single file
- Read your policy first
Most companies forbid copying business data. Only take your personal items such as your own photos, resumes, tax PDFs, and non company IP. When in doubt, ask your manager or HR in writing. - Keep company data on company systems
Do not export customer lists, code, designs, or internal documents. If a file mixes personal and company content, treat it as company content. - Plan your export target
Pick one destination you control. Options include a personal USB drive, a personal laptop, or a personal cloud account. You will move a single encrypted container, not loose files. - Stay reversible until the end
Copy first, verify, then wipe. You will not delete anything until you can open your encrypted container on a personal device.
Your clean off-boarding plan in one page
- Collect only allowed personal files into one staging folder on the work device
- Put that folder inside an encrypted container
- Copy the encrypted container to your personal destination
- Open and verify the container on your personal device
- Wipe the original personal files and clear residuals
- Sign out and hand over the device
Decide your method
| Scenario | Best method | Why it is smart | Works on |
| You use Windows and want one tool for pack, encrypt, copy, wipe | Folder Lock encrypted Locker and Secure Shred | Fast setup, strong AES 256 bit encryption, easy copy as one file, built in secure wipe | Windows |
| You use a Mac and want only built in options | Encrypted disk image from Disk Utility | No installs, strong encryption, easy to mount like a drive | macOS |
| You need an encrypted USB to hand to HR or to carry home | BitLocker To Go on the USB drive | Full device encryption with password and recovery key | Windows |
| You must email or upload a compact archive once | 7 Zip encrypted archive | Simple, cross platform, quick for one off transfers | Windows and macOS |
Method 1 Windows tutorial with Folder Lock
Why choose this approach
Folder Lock gives you file locking, on the fly AES 256 bit encryption, a virtual vault style Locker you can copy as a single file, plus a secure shredder to clean your source. That bundle saves time and prevents partial cleanups that leave traces.
Step by step
- Install and set your master password
Download and install Folder Lock. Open the app and create a master password you can remember and store in your password manager. Keep it unique. - Create a Locker
In Folder Lock, create a new Locker. Choose a location on your user profile or a temporary working area that has enough free space. Pick strong encryption when prompted. The Locker mounts like a secure drive you can open after entering the password. - Stage only personal files
Open the Locker and copy your personal items into it. Examples include a personal photo folder, your own tax PDFs, your updated resume, and non work creative files. Avoid any document that the company might own. - Close the Locker and copy it
Close and lock the Locker. Copy the Locker file to your destination such as a personal USB drive or a personal cloud sync folder on the work machine. - Verify on a personal device
On your home laptop or trusted personal machine, open Folder Lock or use the portable opening option and unlock the Locker. Check that your files open correctly. - Wipe the originals
Back on the work device, use the Folder Lock Secure Shred feature to permanently remove the original personal files that are still on the work disk. Secure wipe removes recoverable remnants and helps align with the spirit of NIST media sanitization guidance for end users. - Clear residuals
Use the history cleaner inside Folder Lock for quick traces, then continue with the cleanup section below.
What makes Folder Lock the best Windows pick for this job
- Single workflow in one app encrypt, move, wipe
- Proven AES 256 bit encryption with on the fly vaults that expand as you add data
- Handy extras like stealth features and hack attempt controls for peace of mind during handover
- Secure Shred to reduce the chance of recoverable remnants on the work disk
These are exactly the features you want during the hectic last day when time is short and mistakes are easy.
Method 2 Mac tutorial with Disk Utility encrypted image
Why choose this approach
You can create an encrypted disk image using only Disk Utility, then mount it like a drive, copy your files, and move that one image to your destination. Apple documents the steps and supports strong encryption.
Step by step
- Open Disk Utility
- From the menu, choose File, New Image, Blank Image
- Give the image a clear name such as Personal Files
- Choose a size that fits your personal content
- Set format to APFS for modern macOS or Mac OS Extended for older systems
- Choose Encryption and pick a strong option, then set a strong password that you will not forget
- Create the image and mount it
- Drag your personal files into the mounted image
- Eject the image
- Copy the image file to your personal destination and verify it opens on your personal Mac with the password you set
Encrypt a physical USB on Mac instead
If you prefer to encrypt an entire external drive, you can do that in Disk Utility as well. Select the device, erase with an encrypted APFS format, and set a password. This protects the whole USB or external disk if lost.
Method 3 Windows encrypted USB with BitLocker To Go
Why choose this approach
BitLocker To Go encrypts a removable drive with a password and a recovery key. It is built in on Windows Pro and many enterprise images. It is ideal when HR asks for a USB handover.
Step by step
- Insert a USB drive on your work PC
- Open BitLocker Drive Encryption in Control Panel
- Turn on BitLocker for the removable drive and set a password
- Save the recovery key to a safe personal location
- Wait for encryption to complete then copy your personal files to the USB
- On your personal PC, unlock the drive with the password and verify files open
If you ever see the recovery prompt, use the key that matches the on screen key ID.
Method 4 One time transfer as an encrypted archive
Why choose this approach
For a single email or upload, an encrypted archive is simple. 7 Zip supports AES 256 bit encryption for archives and is widely trusted. This is not a long term vault, but it is perfect for a one off handoff to yourself.
Step by step on Windows or Mac
- Install 7 Zip on Windows or Keka or The Unarchiver on Mac that can read and write 7z
- Right click your personal folder and choose add to archive
- Select archive format 7z and choose AES 256 encryption
- Set a strong password and start the archive
- Copy or upload the single archive file and verify it opens on your personal device with the password
Cleanup and verification checklist that takes minutes
Use this short checklist after your copy and verify step. It borrows the NIST SP 800 88 idea that you clear easy traces on media you are leaving behind. You are not destroying the device, you are performing a practical end user cleanup.
- Use a secure delete or shredder on the original personal files
- Empty the recycle bin or trash
- Clear recent files lists in Office and Adobe apps
- Clear browser downloads and history for personal logins
- Remove personal cloud apps and their cached folders after verifying your copy
- Sign out of personal services in browsers and apps
- Check Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures for leftover personal items
- Remove your personal USB and do not leave the password behind
- Hand over
Deep dive tutorials and pro tips
Collect personal files without pulling company data into your vault
- Photos and media from your phone that you imported for a slide or background
- Your resume and certifications
- Personal tax or HR files you originally uploaded to internal portals
- Personal research notes that lived in a local folder and do not contain company material
Avoid items like presentations with company logos or customer data, internal templates, or any source code even if you wrote it. Those are typically owned by the company.
Keep file names helpful
Rename obvious personal files before you encrypt so you can find them later. Example
- 2021-Taxes-PDF becomes 2021 Taxes Muhammad
- IMG_4321 becomes Family Trip 2023
Where to store the encrypted container
- A personal USB encrypted with BitLocker To Go on Windows
- A personal external drive encrypted with APFS on Mac
- A personal cloud folder that you control
If you use cloud, upload only the single encrypted container, not loose files.
Folder Lock versus common alternatives
| Feature | Folder Lock | BitLocker To Go | Disk Utility encrypted image | Encrypted archive with 7 Zip |
| Encrypts a single vault file you can copy | Yes | No, full device | Yes | Yes |
| Built in secure shredder for source cleanup | Yes | No | No | No |
| On the fly access like a drive | Yes | Yes when mounted | Yes when mounted | No, must extract |
| Setup speed for busy last day | Very fast | Fast if enabled by IT | Fast | Fast |
| Best fit | Windows users who want one tool start to finish | Windows users who must hand off a USB | Mac users who want only built in | One off email or upload |
Folder Lock stands out because it compresses the whole workflow encrypt, move, wipe into one app, which reduces mistakes on a hectic last day. Its AES 256 bit vaults and extras such as stealth and hack attempt controls are purpose built for this scenario.
Troubleshooting that actually solves the common blockers
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix in minutes |
| You cannot turn on BitLocker To Go | Windows edition or policy blocks it | Use Folder Lock for a vault file or ask IT to enable BitLocker To Go. Microsoft documents BitLocker availability and setup. |
| You forgot your BitLocker password | You need the recovery key | Use the recovery key that matches the on screen key ID. Store a printed copy at home. |
| You forgot a Mac disk image password | Apple cannot recover it | Recreate the image and copy again. Apple warns that forgotten passwords cannot be bypassed. |
| File in use or permission denied | Another app is holding the file | Close Office, Adobe, Teams, and cloud sync. Try again or copy after a reboot. Then shred the original. |
| Path too long on Windows | Nested folders exceed limits | Temporarily move the deep folder to the root of the drive and archive or vault from there. |
| Very large file stalls cloud upload | Network or account limits | Use a USB encrypted with BitLocker To Go or move the vault by cable to a personal device. |
| USB says read only on Mac for NTFS | Mac cannot write NTFS by default | Use an exFAT formatted USB for cross platform or move the vault across network to your personal Windows PC after encryption. |
| You want proof you left nothing | You need a quick audit step | Run the wipe on originals, clear recent files and downloads, then show your manager the encrypted vault on your own device, not the contents. Use the checklist above aligned to NIST ideas. |
What about cloud only moves
Cloud can be fine if you upload a single encrypted container. Avoid copying loose personal files into a work browser session for a personal cloud account because caches and download folders create leftovers. If you must use cloud, upload only the encrypted Locker or disk image and then sign out and clear history.
AEO and search friendly phrasing you naturally cover by following this guide
People ask in plain language
- how to take personal files when leaving a company
- how to move personal files off a work laptop
- how to encrypt files before resigning
- how to wipe personal data before handing back a laptop
This article answers those exact intents in the first paragraph, then shows the steps for Windows and Mac using concrete tools such as Folder Lock, BitLocker To Go, 7 Zip, and Disk Utility, with a cleanup checklist that borrows from a respected standard. That structure makes it easy for answer engines and scanners to retrieve the right step at the right time.
Put it all together in ten minutes on Windows with Folder Lock
- Create a Locker and set a strong password
- Copy only personal items into the Locker
- Close the Locker and copy that single file to your personal USB or personal cloud folder
- Verify on your personal machine that it opens
- Use Secure Shred on the originals
- Clear app histories and sign out
- Hand over the device
This sequence compresses the risk by removing loose ends and puts all your personal content under a single strong password before anything leaves the work machine.
Final checks before you hand the laptop to IT
- Your encrypted vault opens on a personal device
- Originals are securely shredded
- Recent files lists are empty
- Personal cloud apps and accounts are signed out
- USB safely removed
- You have no loose personal items in Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures
- You can explain your process in one sentence if asked
FAQs
1) Is it legal to copy my personal files from a company laptop
Yes for your own personal content. Company data and mixed content are usually off limits. Ask HR if unsure.
2) Why not just drag files to a USB without encryption
Unencrypted files are easy to browse if the USB is lost. An encrypted container protects you during transit.
3) What if BitLocker To Go is not available on my edition of Windows
Use Folder Lock to create an encrypted Locker and copy that single file to the USB instead.
4) Is Folder Lock acceptable in a corporate environment
If your company allows personal utilities, Folder Lock is a strong choice because it combines vaults and secure wipe in one app. Ask IT if you need explicit approval.
5) How strong is the encryption in these methods
Folder Lock states AES 256 bit for vaults. Apple disk images support strong encryption options. 7 Zip archives can use AES 256. BitLocker protects full drives with robust encryption. Strength always depends on a strong password and safe handling of keys.
6) What if I forget the password for the Mac encrypted image
There is no back door. Apple warns you cannot open the image without the password. Recreate and copy again.
7) What is the recovery key on BitLocker To Go and where should I store it
It is a special key to unlock the drive if you forget the password. Save it to your personal account or print and keep it at home. Use the key ID to match the right key.
8) Can I email myself files instead of encrypting
Avoid that. Email creates multiple copies and attachments linger in Sent, Drafts, and server archives. Use one encrypted container instead.
9) Do I need to run special forensics grade wiping
For everyday personal cleanup on a device you return, a secure delete of your originals and clearing easy traces is enough. The company will reimage or decommission the device. The spirit of NIST guidance is to apply appropriate sanitization for the context.
10) How do I keep my work and personal content separate in the future
Keep a personal encrypted vault for personal items even while employed. Store it on a personal cloud or personal USB. That way, leaving is a simple copy and wipe.
11) Does an encrypted archive compress better than a Locker
Archives can compress, but vaults are more convenient for daily use. Pick the one that fits your exit timeline and volume.
12) What should I show IT if they ask what you copied
Show them the single encrypted container and explain that it contains only personal items. Do not open it on a company device. If policy requires review, ask HR for a private session.
The takeaway
If you want a clean, secure exit with zero drama, move your personal items into one encrypted container before you copy anything. On Windows, Folder Lock is the most convenient all in one path, since it creates a strong vault and wipes the originals without extra tools. On Mac, Disk Utility gives you an encrypted image that works like a private drive. Finish with the short cleanup checklist and you will leave nothing behind except a good impression.
