Creating a Password

The WD SmartWare software uses powerful hardware encryption to secure your drive and all of its content to keep others from accessing your files.   

Caution: The WD SmartWare software uses your password to electronically lock and unlock your drive. If you forget your password, you will not be able to access the data on the drive or write new data to it. WD cannot retrieve your password; if you forget your password, you will have to erase the drive before you can use it again.

To create a password:

  1. In the Set Security area of the window, type a password in the Choose a Password field.
  2. Retype your password in the Verify Password field.
  3. If desired, type a hint to help you remember your password.

If you use passwords on other devices or on Internet sites, it's a good idea to write your password somewhere and store it in a secure location.

  1. Please read and review the password information provided by WD; then click I Understand.
  2. Click Save Security Settings.

Important: After creating a password, your drive remains unlocked for as long as you continue your current work session. After you shut down your computer or disconnect your drive and then reconnect it, you must enter your password to unlock your WD drive.