How do I password lock my Seagate External HDD?

[Bugal Jackson]

I can't seem to find a straight answer on google.

I have VeraCrypt though, but the big question I have is, I can't just go ahead and put a password on the drive? I have to reformat it? I already have some files on the drive.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Don't do it. We get regular posts on here from unfortunates who did that, then some time later they can't access the data.
Lock it away somewhere when you don't need it, that's safer.