User Guide – first steps with the Hideez Client

First Steps with the Hideez Client without USB dongle

Important! You cannot try to connect the Hideez Key using both built-in Bluetooth and the Hideez Bluetooth dongle at the same time.

IMPORTANT: Please, notice that Internal Bluetooth option is supported only for Windows 10 version 1903 (2019) and later. In earlier versions, Hideez Key works only with the Hideez dongle.

Step 0: Installing the Hideez Client

We assume that:

Your Administrator:
- installed Hideez Client on your computer
- specified the server address in the Client's settings
- added account to unlock your PC
You:
- set up Hideez Key operation on an unlocked PC

If not, please Download the Client App for Windows and install it.

Step 1: Remove isolating material from the Key's housing

Open Hideez Key's housing and remove white plastic.

Step 2: Pairing the Hideez Key with Windows 10‌-11

For successful pairing of the Hideez Key device, you will need a Windows 10, OS build 1840, or later. For earlier versions, the correct operation of the device is not guaranteed. How to find out which version of Windows your device is running.
Select Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
Press (short press) the button on the Hideez Key device.
After you press a device button, a blue LED lights up - three long flashes of variable brightness, which means that the device is ready for Pairing. Video
Click Add Bluetooth or other devices > Bluetooth on the Windows screen.
Select your Hideez Key device (for example HK-00203). The last five digits coincide with the serial number printed on the device box.
After the connection is established, the green LED lights up (blinks) on the selected device, inviting you to confirm the operation. You need to confirm pairing with a short button press. If you don’t confirm the operation within 15 seconds, there will be no pairing and the LED on the device will stop blinking. Video
Successful pairing is confirmed by the inscription «Your device is ready to go».
In the Bluetooth & other devices section, a new HK3-00203 device appears.

Possible issues: 1. The Hideez key does not turn on - replace or recharge the battery. 2. You have already turned on Hideez key - it is ok, you can skip this step. 3. The required Hideez key is not displayed in the list of Bluetooth devices available for pairing - turn off and then turn on Bluetooth on your PC. If this does not help, update the Bluetooth drivers on the workstation. 4. Hideez key is displayed, but it does not pair with - try replacing (or recharging) the battery, perhaps there is not enough charge for this operation. If this does not help - turn off and then turn on Bluetooth on the PC, update the Bluetooth drivers on the workstation. 5. Didn't press the button in time - You have to press the button when the button is flashing green. There are three attempts to confirm the bonding by pressing the button; during each attempt, the key will flash green. If you missed this moment and did not press, then after three attempts, the key stops flashing green, and you need to tap the dongle again.

Video Guide Pairing HK with Windows 10

Step 3: Update the Hideez Key firmware

Go through the steps to update the firmware of your Hideez Key to the latest version using Quick Update mode.

Step 4: Launch the Hideez Client

After installing the Hideez Client App on your Windows computer, you will see the icon in the taskbar. Click on it and launch the application.

Step 5: Check indicators

After launching the Hideez Client, you will see a screen:

Please check if the Server and Bluetooth indicators are green.

Possible issues: Bluetooth indicator is red - turn on Bluetooth in PC settings. The Server indicator is red - please follow this instruction. The Server indicator is yellow - ask your administrator to approve your workstation.

Step 6: Wait until the Hideez Key connects to the Hideez Client

To do this, you need to wait a few minutes. If you need to speed up this process, then you just need to turn off and then turn on Bluetooth on your PC.

Step 7: Enter activation code (one-time procedure)

Concurrently with the Hideez Key, the administrator should give you an activation code. It can be sent in an e-mail or communicated in another way. Enter this 6-digit numeric code in the activation code field and click Confirm.

Possible issues: Entered an incorrect code - you have three attempts to enter a code. If all of them were incorrect, then the Hideez key will be blocked, and you need to contact the administrator. The input window has disappeared - you need to enter the activation code in a certain period; if you haven't, the window will disappear. You need to click the Reconnect paired vaults button in the Hideez Client settings.

Step 8: Request access to the password manager (optional)

After you go through the activation procedure, you will see this screen (if your administrator set the access profile).

You see the Vault Settings section, but the yellow lock and red indicators show that the Hideez key storage has not been loaded yet.

You need to click on the lock icon and follow the screen guide.

Step 9: Get access to the password manager

Now you can access the accounts that the administrator adds for you to the Hideez key. You can't change or see passwords; you can only use them. The Cloud icon indicates such accounts.

Step 10: Lock your PC (optional)

Do this step only if you already have an account to unlock your PC on your Hideez key.

Now you are ready to unlock your computer with the Hideez key. Please lock your workstation, for example, by pressing Win + L, you will see the screen below.

Step 11: Unlock your PC (optional)

Click on the inscription: Click here to unlock with HK-*last 5 serial number digits*. The hardware key will be found and connected and then the PC will be unlocked.

Also you can setup your mobile authenticator app and login by scanning the QR code on the lockscreen.

Step 12: Explore other features of the Hideez key

Now you are ready to move forward and explore other options of the Hideez key.