Seagate/Maxtor Manager - Security through Encryption | Support Seagate US (2024)

The Encryption feature provides encryption of multiple files and folders in one location, the Encryption folder. After you create and set a password for the Encryption folder, you can drag and drop files and folders into it to secure them.

When the files are encrypted, they are copied. No files are moved on your computer. The original, unencrypted version of a file or folder remains on your computer along with the newly encrypted version. For total security, you should delete the unencrypted version from your computer.

If you do not delete the unencrypted original version of a file, and you later decrypt the encrypted version back into the same location, you will be notified that it will overwrite the original unencrypted version.

Note: Encryption is not available in all regions or with all products.

Creating an Encryption Folder:

1. Double-click the Seagate/Maxtor Manager icon on your Windows Desktop.
2. Click Security. The Security window opens.
3. Click Seagate Encryption. The Seagate Encryption Password window opens.
4. In the first field, type in a password.
   Note: Passwords must contain at least six (6) characters and include one (1) numeric character.
5. In the second field, re-enter the password.
6. Click on the Create Folder button.
7. Enter the password and click OK. The Encryption Folder window opens.

Encrypting files/folders:

Note:This procedure assumes that you already have the Seagate/Maxtor Manager's Encryption utility open.

1. Select files/folders that you wish to encrypt.
2. Drag and Drop the selected files/folders to the encryption folder. Files/folder are now secured in the Encryption folder on your drive.

Decrypting file/folders:

Note:This procedure assumes that you already have the encryption utility open.

Option 1 - Using the Decrypt Button

1. Select a file/folder from the Seagate Encryption - Encryption Folder interface and click on the Decrypt button. The Select Destination Directory window opens.
2. Select a destination folder and click on the Decrypt button. The selected file/folder is now decrypted in the chosen destination.

Option 2 - File Menu Decryption

1. Select files from the Encryption Folder interface.
2. Select File then decrypt selections.The Select Destination Directory window opens.
3. Select a destination folder and click on theDecryptbutton. The selected file/folder is now decrypted in the chosen destination.

Note:Option 3 cannot be used when decrypting folders.

Option 3 - Drag and Drop Decryption

1. Select files from the Seagate Encryption - Encryption Folder interface.
2. Drag and Drop the selected files to their destination. The selected files are now decrypted in the chosen destination.

Changing your Encryption Password:

1. Double-click the Seagate/Maxtor Manager icon on your Windows Desktop.
2. Click Security. The Security window opens.
3. Click Encryption. The Manage Encryption window opens.
4. Click Change Password. The Change Password Step 1 of 2 window opens.
5. In the field provided, enter your Current Password.
6. Click the Next button. The Change Password Step 2 of 2 window opens.
7. In the first field provided, enter a New Password. Click on the next field (below).
8. Re-enter the New Password in this second field.
9. Click on the Change button. The Change Encryption Password window opens informing you that the password has changed.
10. Click OK to return to the Security window.

Navigating the Encryption interface:

Note: This procedure assumes that you already have the Seagate Encryption utility open.

Folder Up:
While in the Encryption Folder interface, you can browse into child directory structures with ease. However, there is in expected means to return to parent folders, you will find that there is no back button like you would normally find in a Windows. To return to a Parent Folder, click on the Folder Up button.

Delete:
This option allows you to delete files/folders for the Encryption Folder interface. To delete files/folders:

1. Select (highlight) files and or folders you wish to delete and click on the Delete button. AnEncryption window opens asking you to confirm the deletion.
2. Click on the Yes. At this point, selected files and/or folders are deleted from the Encryption Folder.

Select All/Invert Selection:
These two buttons do the following:

• Select All - click on the Select All button to select (highlight) all files/folders that reside in the Encryption Folder. Once selected, you can perform other tasks (e.g., Decrypt and Delete).
• Invert Selection - click on the Invert Selection button to de-select all files/folders that were previously selected in the Encryption Folder.

Deleting the Encrypted Folder:

The following provides you with the steps necessary for deleting the encrypted folder.

1. Double-click the Seagate/Maxtor Manager icon on your Windows Desktop.
2. Click Security. The Security window opens.
3. Click Encryption. The Encryption window opens.
4. Click on the Delete Encrypted Folder button. The Delete Encrypted Folder window opens. You are warned to remove important files before you delete the Encrypted Folder
   You can opt to Open the Encrypted Folder to decrypt/move files/folders prior to deleting them.
   You are returned to the Seagate Manager's My Drives window if you move files/folders out of the Encrypted Folder before deletion.
5. Click on the Delete button. You are notified that the folder was deleted.
6. Click on the OK button. You are returned to the Security window.