Note: The software requires the use of a keyboard to enter the boot passphrase. Tablets without physical keyboards are unable to use the software. The PGP software installation needs to be performed by someone with administrative rights on the computer.

Prepare your computer

1. Back up your data. Before downloading or installing the PGP software, be sure to backup your data. You can do so by saving any important files to USB flash drive, CD, network drive, or removable disk. Also, make sure you have copies of all software on your computer.
2. Defragment You may also wish to defragment your computer before installation to speed things up. To do so, click the Start menu. Point to Programs>Accessories>System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter. Click the Analyze button; a report will appear telling you whether or not defragmentation is recommended. If it is, click the Defragment button to begin; if not, close Disk Defragmenter and any other application to begin.
3. Check the disk for disk errors. You can download SpinRite from www.uab.edu/it/software. Create a boot disk or CD image and you can correct disk errors before running the PGP software. This step is optional but it has been found that some PCs have issues encrypting due to disk errors.
4. Check power and network connections. Before installing, be sure your computer is plugged into a wall outlet and has an active network connection.

Download and install PGP software

1. Go to the UAB Software Library, located at www.uab.edu/it/software. Locate the PGP software and click to begin downloading.
2. Close all other programs you are currently running.
3. Navigate to where you saved the software and launch the PGP installer. In the PGP Desktop window, select English.
4. Read the licensing agreement, select I accept the licensing agreement, and click Next.

   

5. Click Nextagain.

   

6. The installer will start copying files into place.

   

7. Click Yes to reboot. When the computer has rebooted, the PGP Setup Assistant should automatically appear.
8. When prompted for domain credentials, enter your BlazerID and password.

   

9. Select "I am a new user" and click Next.

   

10. Click Next.
11. You will be prompted to create credentials for Single Sign-on (SSO); enter the username and password you use to login to your desktop. In many areas of campus, this is also your BlazerID and password with a domain of UAB. This will allow you to enter your login information only once at system boot without seeing the login screen again. Check with your IT support group if you have any issues.
12. The program should automatically begin to encrypt the disk. It is recommended that you do not run any other programs while encryption is taking place. Note: Encryption may take up to 8 hours. If necessary, you can shutdown the computer (Start > Shutdown > Turn off computer) but DO NOT abruptly power off the system.

    

13. When the encryption of the boot drive is complete, the lower icon will become a solid padlock.
14. Reboot the PC. You will be prompted to enter the passphrase /password that was selected as the answer the Windows Single Sign On credentials.

Occasionally, updates for this software will be distributed by the server. When this happens, you will be prompted to install the update and reboot your computer.