Does FileVault take up more space ?

[fab5freddy]

When turning on FileVault, does this take up more
space on the HD ?

thanks !

 

[Mal]

Some, not a lot. I recommend against using FileVault unless you're extremely paranoid (and then only if it's for a good reason). It causes problems with some third-party software, and if you turn it on and then use up too much space on your drive, you'll reach a point where you can't even turn it off (it needs an equivalent amount of free space to the size of the data in your home folder in order to deactivate it). In short, unless you've got nuclear missile launch authorization codes on your computer, you're better off not messing with it.

jW

 

[fab5freddy]

Thanks ! I think i'll just make an encryted disk image
like others on the forum have recommended.

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

It takes up an extra ~100MB.

To turn it on or off, you need to have an amount of free disk space which is equal to or greater than the total size of your home folder.

 

[fab5freddy]

well, my home folder is 200 GB !
So will i need another 200 GB to turn on FileVault ?

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

well, my home folder is 200 GB !
So will i need another 200 GB to turn on FileVault ?

Yes.

If you want to use Filevault, you should clean your home folder out. I'm assuming that you've got your iTunes library and lots of home movies in your home folder. You should move them out, because they probably don't need encrypting.