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KB ID: 1170

How to Enable Encryption on a Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC

Last Updated: 10/14/2024

When the drive is taken out of the box for the first time, it will be formatted for Windows and have the ModeChanger software already on the drive. The contents of the drive will look like this:
For installation of the software in a Windows environment open the folder labeled "ModeChanger_Win" and run the "mcinst.exe" program.
If you get a Windows user account control pop up, click Yes to allow the program to install.
Once installation is complete, run the software to change the drive mode to "encrypted". Click OK on the dialog box to change the mode.
Please note that changing the mode will delete any data already on the drive. If there is data on the drive that you need to retain, copy that data to another location temporarily. Please note that this includes the mode changer software and the icon file. If you wish to keep a copy of the included software you should copy it to another location prior to encrypting the drive! Click OK to continue.
Encrypting the drive may take a few minutes. You will get this message while the operation is being performed.
Once the operation is complete you should get this informational dialog box. It may pop up behind other windows.
On a locked drive you will only have access to a permanent 200 MB partition. This partition is read-only and the contents cannot be erased or altered. It contains the utilities used to unlock the drive. The root folder contains the Windows unlock utility "OPEN_HS.exe". There is a Mac OS X utility in the folder labeled "OPEN_HS_MAC.app". The "DATA" folder contains a Windows installable application that will automatically launch the unlocking application whenever the drive is connected to the PC.
Running the unlocking application the first time will present this window. It may pop up behind other windows. Select the method you wish to use to unlock the drive in the future. Please note that if you choose smart card only and the smart card is lost, the data on the drive will not be retrievable by any means! This is by design to provide robust security for data stored on the drive. As always, we recommend that you keep a secure backup of all data.

NOTE: Due to the way NFC is implemented on US smartphones, currently no mobile device in the US can be used to unlock this drive.
If you choose the default authentication method, you will first be asked to register the desired smart card with the drive. Only one card can be registered on the drive, although one card can registered to multiple drives.
Once the card has been registered you will get this notification. Click OK to continue.
Next you should create a secure password. The password can be 4-16 characters and can contain any combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. You can create a password hint if desired. The password hint cannot be the password.
Once the process is complete you should get this notification. Click OK to continue.
Once the drive has been locked it can be unlocked for access by running the unlock utility. You will get this window. It may pop up behind other open windows. To unlock the drive hold the smart card close to the top of the drive. If you wish to unlock using a password, click Change Authentication Method.
Once authentication finishes you should get this message while the drive is being unlocked.
You should now see the contents of the unlocked drive. Initially, the drive will be empty.
The HD-PZNU3 is now ready to securely store data. If you would like the drive to have the icon show up that is used from the factory, copy the original icon file and the original autorun.inf file back to the root directory of the drive. For further information, consult the ModeChanger manual located here.