Getting Started with MetaDefender Drive

When MetaDefender Drive is used for the first time, it runs a Setup Wizard. This page covers the steps of this Setup Wizard.

Boot from MetaDefender Drive

1. While your device is turned off, insert your OPSWAT MetaDefender Drive into the device's USB Type-A port.
2. Turn ON your device.
3. Boot from MetaDefender Drive using one of the following methods:

• Enter the One-Time Boot Menu:

  • For Windows and Linux computers: As your computer restarts, press the boot key repeatedly to enter the boot menu. The boot key varies by manufacturer. Usually, it is either F12, F9, F10, or ESC. (please refer to the manufacturer's manual).
  • For MacBook (2018 and before): Hold the Option ⌥ key while your MacBook starting to enter the boot menu.
  • In the boot menu, use the arrow keys to select OPSWAT MetaDefender Drive.

• Alternatively, you can Change The Boot Order:

  • For Windows and Linux computers:

    • As your computer restarts, press the BIOS key repeatedly to enter the BIOS setup. The boot key varies by manufacturer. Usually, it is either F12, F9, F10, or ESC. (please refer to the manufacturer's manual).
    • Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Boot tab.
    • In the boot order list, use the arrow keys to highlight your Drive. Then, use the designated key (usually a function key) to move the Drive to the top of the list.
    • Press F10 to save your changes and exit BIOS. Your computer will restart and should now boot from the USB drive (which now is OPSWAT MetaDefender Drive)

  • For MacBooks:

    • Hold down the Option ⌥ key as your MacBook restarts to enter the Startup Manager.
    • Use the arrow keys to select OPSWAT MetaDefender Drive and press ↵ .
    • Restart your MacBook and it will boot from OPSWAT MetaDefender Drive.

Connect to the Internet (optional)

• If MetaDefender Drive can't detect an internet connection, you will be prompted to manually establish a connection. Click the Fix Internet button to set up a Wi-fi connection.
• If your device is deployed in an offline environment, you can skip this step by clicking the Skip Connection button.

Upgrade Drive Software

Once an Internet connection has been established, MetaDefender Drive will check if its software is up to date. It is highly recommended that you upgrade your MetaDefender Drive if prompted.

In case you are using MetaDefender Drive in an offline environment, you can click the Skip Update button.

License Verification/ Remediation

MetaDefender Drive will automatically attempt to detect and verify your license. If it can't find a valid license, you will be prompted to remediate it manually:

License remediation prompt

• If you have obtained an Activation Key through OPSWAT, click Manual Input and enter the key in the Activation Key field, then click Activate, as shown in the image below.
• If you don't have an Activation Key, you can check your internet connectivity and click the Check for License button.
• If MetaDefender Drive still does not accept your Activation Key or self-discover its license, please contact OPSWAT Support.

Entering MetaDefender Drive's Activation key

End-User License Agreement

If you are using the plugged device for the first time, you will be prompted to read and accept MetaDefender Drive's terms of use:

Engines

• MetaDefender Drive will automatically update the engines if an active internet connection is enabled.
• You may see the message "Required engines are initializing" right below the engines list. MetaDefender Drive requires a minimum subset of internal drives to function. As a result, it is required to wait for the engines initialization to finish before you can start performing any scan.
• It is highly recommended that you update your engines regularly via an online connection, from OPSWAT Central Management or using the Update Downloader tool for Offline Environment.

Disks

MetaDefender Drive will automatically detect disk partitions and their file systems on the target device. Then, it will attempt to determine if the disk is encrypted.

If the disk is encrypted by BitLocker, then MetaDefender Drive will attempt to detect the encryption key in its directory.

If MetaDefender Drive can't detect an encryption key, it will allow the user to know its most likely classification of the encryption system and provide steps to unlock that Drive based on the encryption type

• Enter the Bitlocker/FileVault/LUKS password
• Enter the Bitlocker recovery key
• If MetaDefender Drive determines the drive is unencrypted then it will simply mount it and display it as Ready.

Finally, click Continue to move forward, scanning the target device.