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PC Guard for Win32 Changelog

What's new in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0941

Apr 23, 2024
  • New ACEN related command line options for protected applications.
  • Default projects folder option added to System settings. This folder will be used as starting folder when opening or saving project files.
  • System settings are now reorganized in to two different sections (General and Notifications)
  • Added support for PyInstaller 6.x one-folder applications.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0940 (Mar 31, 2024)

  • ACEN Web API interface support for both standard and web licensing model. (Beta)
  • ACEN server settings updated.
  • New ACEN product management section.
  • License note options added to ACEN settings.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0930 (Feb 5, 2024)

  • Smart dll handling feature improved.
  • Multiple fixes and optimizations.
  • Interface dll has been updated!

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0928 (Oct 12, 2023)

  • Subscription check added to system settings.
  • Few minor fixes and optimizations.
  • Interface dll has been updated!

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0927 (Aug 16, 2023)

  • Special key pop-up option fix.
  • Interface dll has been updated!

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0927 (Aug 16, 2023)

  • Special key pop-up option fix.
  • Interface dll has been updated!

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0921 (Jun 2, 2023)

  • New service build for PC Guard Software Protection System has been released today.
  • What's new in this release:
  • Windows XP SP3 (32bit) compatibility fix.
  • Multiple other fixes and optimizations.
  • ] Interface dll has been updated!
  • Please be sure to update existing version with latest one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0920 (May 18, 2023)

  • Multiple fixes and optimizations.
  • Interface dll has been updated!

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0910 (Apr 11, 2023)

  • New command line option for protected applications:
  • PCG_CL_REMOVE_LICENSE
  • Use this option to remove license for activated application from command line.
  • Multiple other fixes and optimizations.
  • Interface dll has been updated!

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0902 (Mar 8, 2023)

  • Added support for Python 3.11 PyInstaller 5 applications.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0900 (Feb 10, 2023)

  • Logging is now automatically enabled if log file command line option is provided.
  • Multiple other fixes and optimizations.
  • ACEN web service interface modules are updated.
  • Samples upgraded to VS 2022 projects.
  • Protection interface documentation and samples have been updated with latest definitions.
  • Interface dll has been updated.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0850 (Jun 13, 2022)

  • "Reset license in case of invalid system time" option added to ACEN web licensing tasks settings.
  • Local system clock is automatically tracked if license validation or license alive report tasks are enabled.
  • In case last recorded check date (day) is earlier than current date (day) invalid system time error processing will be triggered.
  • If this option is enabled, local license will be reset and appropriate error message will be displayed. If disabled, only error message will be displayed and application will close.
  • Save, Backup, Restore and Reset options added to system settings.
  • Multiple other fixes and optimizations.
  • System and languages settings are again saved per user.
  • Existing settings will be automatically imported if detected.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0840 (Apr 25, 2022)

  • Added support for latest version of Activation center (05.01.00)
  • New protection interface information:
  • PCGI_ACEN_ProductID
  • ACEN Product ID value as set in project settings can now be accessed by using protection interface and used when implementing custom ACEN web service calls in protected application.
  • System settings are no longer stored in system registry and are now shared among users on computer.
  • System settings are now located inside common application data folder: "ProgramDataSofproPC Guard for ...system.settings"
  • Existing system settings will be automatically imported.
  • Languages settings are now also shared among all users on same computer and new settings file is located in same folder as system settings.
  • Multiple other fixes and optimizations.
  • Interface dll has been updated!

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0830 (Feb 22, 2022)

  • Service build with multiple fixes and optimizations.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with latest one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0820 (Dec 6, 2021)

  • Support for Node.js pkg applications:
  • Added detection of Node.js pkg created applications and special support for standard and overlay encryption. PC Guard will automatically enable advanced overlay management (AOM) feature and internal overlay encryption for these applications.
  • Multiple fixes and optimizations.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0810 (Oct 4, 2021)

  • Service build with multiple fixes and optimizations.
  • Improved support for x64 DLL modules using protection interface.
  • Protection interface documentation and samples have been updated with latest definitions.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0770 (Apr 6, 2021)

  • New sample projects:
  • altpcgi_wpf_csharp:
  • C# .NET Framework WPF application using alternate protection interface, custom activation dialog and license removal feature.
  • altpcgi_netcore_csharp_sample:
  • C# .NET Core (.NET 5) console application using alternate protection interface.
  • New system settings options:
  • "Enable project file statistics (PRJSTATS)" option (Default: ON)
  • Use this option to enable/disable saving of last open and save times to PRJSTATS section in project file each time project file is loaded or saved.
  • "Default backup extension" option (Default: "_OLD")
  • Use this option to change default backup extension to custom value.
  • ".NET Core warnings" option (Default: ON)
  • If enabled, warnings related to .NET Core and .NET 5 applications will be displayed during protection process.
  • "C++ redistributables notification" option added. (Default: ON)
  • Select to enable notification about required C++ redistributable files for applications protected with ACEN web licensing feature.
  • Improved detection of .NET Core / .NET 5 bootstrap applications.
  • Detection of .NET Core / .NET 5 AnyCpu applications added. Error message with suggestion that application should be compiled for x86 or x64 platform instead is displayed if .NET Core / .NET 5 AnyCpu application is detected.
  • Fixed problem with different output filename extension check.
  • Multiple other minor fixes and optimizations.
  • Microsoft Visual C++ redistributable files which are required for ACEN web licensing are no longer included in distribution package.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0760 (Mar 8, 2021)

  • .NET 5 support notes:
  • Supported output type:
  • Windows application
  • Windows console application
  • Supported platforms:
  • x86 (PC Guard for .NET)
  • x64 (PC Guard for .NET64)
  • Supported target runtime:
  • win-x86 (PC Guard for .NET)
  • win-x64 (PC Guard for .NET64)
  • Protected x86 .NET 5 Windows applications can be run by bootstrap application (net5app.exe) only and can not be run with "dotnet net5app.dll". Bootstrap application can also be encrypted.
  • This is not mandatory for x64 .NET 5 applications. Protected module will work just fine if run from command line with "dotnet net5app.dll".
  • AnyCpu .NET 5 applications are not supported. Application should be compiled as x64 or x86 and then can be protected with PC Guard for .NET64 and PC Guard for .NET respectively.
  • General settings: 'Fix OS version information' option extended:
  • It is now possible to target specific OS with this option:
  • Windows 95/NT (4.0)
  • Windows 98 (4.1)
  • Windows 2000 (5.0)
  • Windows XP (5.1)
  • Windows Vista/Windows Server 2008 (6.0)
  • Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2 (6.1)
  • Windows 8/Windows Server 2012 (6.2)
  • Output filename extension validation added:
  • Protection process will be canceled in case output filename is missing extension.
  • Warning message will be displayed in case output filename extension is different from original filename extension.
  • PC Guard installer application now requires at least Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1 and can not be installed on older operating systems.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0750 (Jan 19, 2021)

  • What's new:
  • Languages settings panel added to Customization settings.
  • Language editor is used for managing languages and messages which are shared among all projects on computer where PC Guard is installed.
  • Languages settings panel is used for managing languages setting which are valid per project.
  • Default project language:
  • In previous releases, default language was the one selected in Language editor which was somehow confusing so we decided to move this option from Language editor to separate project settings.
  • Default project language will be used as primary user interface language for protected application.
  • If required, default language can also be changed from command line for protected application by using -PCG_CL_LANGUAGE option.
  • Optional languages to be included in protected application.
  • Default language is always enabled. Other languages are optional. Since messages for each language take space in resulting protected application, turning off languages which are not required will also decrease final size of protected application.
  • New languages (translations for UI messages) added to default language file which is distributed with PC Guard.
  • New languages are: Danish, Dutch, Hungarian, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.
  • New languages are now included in default language file (pcguard.lng) which is distributed with PC Guard.
  • Note:
  • When upgrading existing installation of PC Guard new languages will not be automatically visible in language editor. This is because PC Guard will use existing language file on that computer which may already include some custom languages you've setup before.
  • Command line interface for protected application improvement.
  • Command line interface for protected application is still by default turned ON but can now be turned OFF with single option.
  • Save button is no longer available. Option name and enabled status are now automatically updated when changed which makes process of enabling, disabling and changing of parameter name much easier and faster.
  • Protection wizard improvements:
  • Existing dialogs are reordered and the following new pages are added to protection wizard: Password protection, IP filtering, Command line settings and Language settings.
  • License transfer feature is no longer automatically enabled if TransferLicense protection interface function is detected in application and in case license transfer feature is enabled. Instead, information about detected function will be displayed with a prompt for continuing protection process.
  • Reset (local) license button moved from General setting to Project menu.
  • Instead of going to General settings and clicking on License reset button local license data can now be deleted by using "Reset local license status" option from Project menu.
  • Project settings and languages saving process has been optimized.
  • If language is renamed in language editor custom buttons language will also be automatically renamed.
  • Multiple other minor fixes and optimizations.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with latest one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0740 (Dec 9, 2020)

  • What's new:
  • ACEN web licensing: "On license removal" action added to settings.
  • Use this option to select action after license is removed by end user via activation dialog.
  • Available actions:
  • "show removal code & exit" - protected application will show dialog with removal code so that user can save it if required and then exit.
  • "exit" - protected application will just close without showing removal code.
  • Note: End user will be able to remove license only if license removal feature is enabled and limited license feature is disabled.
  • New command line option for protected application:
  • -PCG_CL_LANGUAGE [Language name]
  • Use this option to set default user interface language from command line.
  • Language name is the name of language as set in language editor.
  • Example: protected.exe -PCG_CL_LANGUAGE German
  • ACEN web licensing: web licensing modules version check added.
  • Multiple minor fixes and optimizations.
  • Web licensing modules have been updated.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with latest one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0720 (Oct 5, 2020)

  • [+] ACEN web licensing: new (on failure) actions added to license alive report ("if report fails") and license removed check ("if check fails") tasks:
  • "exit" - protection code will close application.
  • "reset license & exit" - protection code will reset local license and close application
  • "reset license, show error & exit" - protection code will reset local license, show error message and close application.
  • [+] ACEN Web licensing: changed descriptions for existing actions and new actions added to "if removed" option for license removed check.
  • The following actions are now available:
  • "reset license, show error & exit" - protection code will reset existing license, show error and close application.
  • "reset license, ban computer, show error & exit" - protection code will reset existing license, ban computer, show error and close application.
  • "reset license & exit" - protection code will reset existing license and close application.
  • "reset license, ban computer & exit" - protection code will reset existing license, ban computer and close application.
  • acen web licensing task
  • [+] ACEN settings: "Show standard error messages" option added.
  • If enabled, protected application will display standard error messages. (Default: ON)
  • If disabled, messages will not be displayed but will still be logged if logging is enabled.
  • Standard messages are the following messages that can be changed in language editor and are related to ACEN web licensing:
  • - AWS_Missing ("Activation web service interface is missing!")
  • - AWS_WrongVersion ("Wrong version of activation web service modules!")
  • - AWS_BannedError ("License can not be activated on this computer!")
  • - Demo_SystemTime_Error ("System date/time error! Please correct your system date/time.")
  • [+] ACEN settings: "Show exceptions" option added.
  • If enabled, protected application will display error messages with error code and description related to ACEN web licensing before closing. (Default: ON)
  • If disabled, messages will still be logged if logging is enabled.
  • If returned status code is 0, protected application will return standard error return code (20000) on exit.
  • [+] ACEN web licensing: Custom exit error codes added to license alive and license removed tasks. (Default: 0)
  • It is now possible to set custom exit error codes for both tasks if "on failure" action includes exiting application.
  • If left to default value (0) protected application will return status code returned by ACEN:
  • [*] Improved management of command line options for protected application.
  • All available options are now displayed as a list and each option can be edited by clicking on it.
  • The following buttons are available:
  • "Restore all" - restore all command line options to default values.
  • "Save" - save current option settings.
  • "Restore" - restore current option to default value.
  • Please note that all command line options are case-sensitive.
  • [*] Protection report now includes more detailed information about all command line options for protected application.
  • [+] New command line options for protected application:
  • -PCG_CL_SN [serial number]
  • Use this option to set serial number from command line.
  • Serial number can be set for both locked and activated application. In case of activated application existing serial number will be replaced with new one.
  • If invalid, serial number will be ignored and no error message will be displayed.
  • -PCG_CL_AUTO_ACTIVATE
  • ACEN web licensing: If this option is provided from command line application will automatically try to reactivate/activate license without displaying activation dialog box.
  • This option can be used for initial activation when used together with -PCG_CL_SN [serial number] switch. In this way serial number is set from command line and protection code is instructed to activate application without displaying standard activation dialog box.
  • It can also be used for reactivation of currently locked license after previous license was reset (for whatever reason). In this case original serial number information is still present on remote machine and instead of displaying activation dialog and waiting for end user to click on "Continue" button protection code will automatically try to connect to ACEN and reactivate license. If required, original serial number can also be changed from command line. In this case protection code will try to get new license with new serial number.
  • -PCG_CL_GET_SITEMID > output.txt
  • Use this option to obtain current site/mid codes from command line from protected application without displaying standard activation dialog.
  • This option is valid for applications protected with REMOTE protection method only.
  • Redirection to output file is mandatory. Site and MID codes will be written to output file in the following format: sitecode:midcode (":" is used as a separator).
  • Protected application will automatically close after writing site/mid codes to output file.
  • [>] Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with latest one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0710 (Aug 25, 2020)

  • What's new:
  • [+] "Check locally administered MAC address (NET ID)" option added to machine locking settings. (Default: OFF)
  • This option is valid in case NET ID (MAC address locking) is enabled.
  • If selected and in case detected MAC address is locally administered, protection code will try to determine original MAC address of network adapter. In case of failure, such adapter will not be used for locking.
  • Additionally, if NET ID is marked as mandatory protection code will not use network adapter with locally administered MAC address in case it is not able to determine original MAC address.
  • [+] Validate project option added to Project menu.
  • By default, all project settings are validated when protection process is started.
  • Use this option to validate current project settings before actually trying to protect application.
  • [*] Web licensing: serial number is now preserved in case of machine locking error or any other event resulting in license reset.
  • Next time application is run and requires reactivation original serial number will be automatically filled for end user.
  • Another new feature is that at this point end user can just click on Continue button and reactivate license or if required change original serial number to new one.
  • In case original serial number is changed by end user to different one, protection code will not proceed with reactivation but will try to obtain new license with new serial number.
  • [!] Web licensing: fixed problem with reactivation of license in case license is manually removed from ACEN by admin user.
  • [*] ACEN server settings panel now includes information if required installed web service interface modules are installed.
  • If correct versions are installed version number will be green. If invalid versions are installed version number will be red.
  • [*] Protection report now includes the following additional status information:
  • Is interface dll required for protected application (yes/no)
  • Is license file required for protected application (yes/no)
  • This is just a status note. License data is automatically handled by protection code.
  • Is license data shared between applications protected with same settings. (yes/no)
  • [*] Last open (LastOpen) and last save (LastSave) date/time information is now by default saved to project file (PRJSTATS section) each time it is opened or saved.
  • [*] All hardware locks are now marked with (HW).
  • [!] Multiple other minor fixes, optimizations and security improvements.
  • [>] Flexible locking is now enabled for all PC Guard products.
  • [>] For those who are using PC Guard on some really old machines, protection interface (pcgint) modules (which are required for successful compilation of application using advanced protection interface) can now be used even on old Windows XP machines. Windows XP SP2 was required so far.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0650 (Jan 22, 2020)

  • NETWORK protection: New server configuration file options.
  • It is now possible to edit custom counters and IP filters together with custom features and user information directly from server configuration file panel.
  • It is no longer required to exit panel and edit project settings and then going back to server configuration file panel.
  • Even more, it is now possible to set custom information (for user info, custom features, custom counters and ip filters) without affecting current (default) project settings.
  • If required, custom information used for creation of server configuration file can also be saved to project settings as default data.
  • If appropriate panel (user info, custom features, custom counters or IP filters panel) is open PC Guard will use data from these panels for generation of server configuration file.
  • If panel is not open and appropriate option for embedding data into server configuration file is enabled PC Guard will use appropriate current project settings. For example, if 'Embed IP filters' option is set and IP filters panel is not open PC Guard will use default IP filters as set in project settings.
  • Command line interface for protected application settings added.
  • Use these options to enable or disable appropriate command line options or change default names for parameters.
  • Use "Restore" button to restore all command line options to default settings.
  • Online documentation for new settings is located here.
  • Server configuration file report will be appended to existing report file (PC Guard will no longer overwrite existing report file).
  • New command line option for protected applications: PCG_CL_SRVFILE
  • Default server configuration filename is set in network protection settings (Server configuration file tab). By default, server configuration file should be located in same directory as protected application and protection code will try to load it from there.
  • Use this option to override default server configuration filename and location by passing full path to server configuration file via command line to protected application.
  • Definition:
  • PCG_CL_SRVFILE [Full path to server configuration file]
  • Examples:
  • PCG_CL_SRVFILE C:testserver.dat
  • PCG_CL_SRVFILE “D:my application dataserver.dat”
  • Be sure to put full path to server configuration file in quotes in case path contains space characters as in above example.
  • Directory with server configuration file must be present on remote machine and should have appropriate (read) access rights set.
  • Limited license validity period maximum value changed from 9999 to 65000.
  • Few other minor fixes and security improvements.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with latest one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0630 (Nov 28, 2019)

  • Next minor update (06.00.0630) of PC Guard Software Copy Protection System will bring support for RTE (Run Time Encryption) in Delphi 64bit applications, improved VM detection algorithm and will include some new and some upgraded samples including:
  • C/C++ 32/64 bit VS 2019 protection interface sample project.
  • Delphi 32/64 bit protection interface sample project.
  • Visual Basic (VB6) protection interface sample project.
  • RTE Delphi 32/64 bit sample project.
  • RTE C/C++ VS 2019 sample project.
  • ClickOnce launcher project (C#) has been upgraded to .NET 4 and VS 2019.
  • Custom dialogs sample project has been upgraded to VS 2019.
  • Old protection interface and RTE offline documentation will be removed from distribution.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0610 (Oct 15, 2019)

  • What's new:
  • Added support for PyInstaller (https://www.pyinstaller.org) applications.
  • PyInstaller packages Python applications into stand-alone executables.
  • PyInstaller application will be detected during protection process. After confirmation, advanced overlay management (AOM) and internal overlay encryption will be automatically turned on for application.
  • All PyInstaller applications targeting Python 2.7 (32bit apps) and 3.4-3.7 (64bit apps) are supported by appropriate PC Guard versions.
  • Multiple Advanced overlay management (AOM) optimizations and improvements including new encryption algorithm.
  • New command line option for protected applications: PCG_CL_ACTFILE
  • Use this option to override default activation filename which is defined in project settings and embedded into protected application by passing it via command line to protected application.
  • Definition:
  • PCG_CL_ACTFILE [Full path to activation file]
  • Examples:
  • PCG_CL_ACTFILE C:testlicense.dat
  • Protection code will try to load “C:testlicense.dat” activation file.
  • PCG_CL_ACTFILE “D:my application dataactivate.dat”
  • Be sure to put full path to activation filename in quotes in case path contains space characters as in above example.
  • Activation panel: Added button for opening folder with generated activation file.
  • Protected application will no longer display activation file error 0000000D (Activation code is already in use).
  • Protected application will try to load activation file even after activation if license extension feature is enabled. This error was displayed in case activation file that was originally used for activation was still present in application's folder after activation either because "Delete activation file after activation" option was not enabled or in case it was enabled but protection code was not able to delete activation file after activation due to inadequate security rights. Protection code will now just ignore such activation file and will not display any error on startup.
  • Optimized i/o access for large sets of protected applications.
  • This improvement will minimize number of access denied and sharing violation errors in case of tens or more protected applications starting at same time and using same license information.
  • Few other minor fixes and security improvements.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with latest one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0600 (Sep 10, 2019)

  • What's new:
  • USB protection: locking to USB network adapters is now available.
  • There are now two locking options in USB protection method:
  • USB storage device (serial number lock)
  • USB network adapter (NIC) device (MAC address lock)
  • Default USB device type is USB storage device.
  • USB protection: multiple card readers and usb hubs are no longer displayed as multiple devices but as single device.
  • Protection report will include information about network adapter used for locking: Adapter type, Description and MAC address.
  • USB protection: information about previously set (currently valid) USB device (USB drive or USB network adapter) is now always displayed in USB protection settings.
  • “Block adapters with locally administered MAC address” option added to USB protection settings.
  • If enabled, protected application will ignore all adapters with locally administered MAC address.
  • If disabled, protection code will still check if locally administered MAC address is set for adapter and try to determine original MAC address.
  • PC Guard will display a warning message during protection process if locally administered MAC address is set for USB NIC used for locking.
  • Protection interface: CheckForUsbDrive will check for both USB storage and USB NIC device depending on project settings.
  • Language editor: Default USB_Drive_Missing error message changed to "Please connect required USB device to this computer."
  • ACENPWD [Password] command line option added.
  • Use this command line option to set ACEN server password from command line.
  • NOTE: ACEN web server password is never stored in project settings.
  • .NET applications: new warning message:
  • If protection interface is enabled and alternate protection interface is disabled, PC Guard will display warning messages and automatically enable alternate protection interface since it is required for .NET applications.
  • If protected application is not using protection interface, protection interface option should be turned off in project settings.
  • Network protection + demo mode changes:
  • Activation dialog with demo mode counters is now displayed if appropriate options for displaying limitations are set in demo mode settingsUntil now, only demo mode (trial) expiration message was displayed for applications protected with network protection.
  • Few other minor fixes and security improvements.
  • Interface dll has been updatedPlease be sure to update existing version with latest one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0560 (Jul 9, 2019)

  • Machine locking: NET ID algorithm has been improved.
  • Only enabled network adapters are scanned.
  • Virtual network adapters are detected and not used for locking.
  • Only physical wired or wireless adapters including usb adapters are used for locking.
  • Internal physical network adapters now have priority over external USB network adapters.
  • There is no longer need for disconnecting external network adapters on first activation to avoid locking to external network adapters.
  • Only in case no internal network adapters are found protection code will use external USB network adapters for NET ID.
  • If there are multiple valid network adapters protection code will use first found valid network adapter for initial NET ID.
  • All network adapters are scanned when validating initial NET ID.
  • IMPORTANT: Application updates protected with this build could reset existing license in case NET ID locking was enabled, flexible locking is off and original NET ID value on remote computer was 0 (previous update was not able to obtain NET ID).
  • Protection report now includes detailed information about smart dll handling feature.
  • Improved memory handling for dll modules.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0550 (Jun 4, 2019)

  • What's new:
  • Two new options added to "External application will control activation process" feature:
  • "Show error message if external application is missing" option.
  • If selected, protected application will show error message if not able to run external application.
  • If not selected, protected application will just silently exit.
  • "Pass command line parameters" option.
  • If selected, protected application will pass command line parameters to external application.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0540 (Feb 4, 2019)

  • Updates policy panel added to activation panel:
  • It is now possible to edit specific updates policy from within activation panel for each activation code without changing default updates policy in project settings.
  • Updates panel includes buttons for reloading default project updates policy (Reload button) and saving currently edited updates policy to project settings as default policy (Save button).
  • "Limit updates for activated application" and "Change active updates policy on remote computers" options will always be checked and set to read-only on updates policy panel.
  • Updates policy panel is automatically opened when opening activation panel if activation file feature and updates policy are enabled in remote protection project settings.
  • If updates policy panel is closed it can be opened again with "Edit" button located next to "Embed updates policy" option.
  • If "Embed updates policy" option is checked and updates policy panel is closed at the time of generation of activation file, default updates policy settings from project settings will be used as updates policy for activation file.
  • "Embed updates policy" option added to activation file settings:
  • This option defines default state of "Embed updates policy" option in activation panel. (Default: OFF)
  • "Update default updates policy" in updates policy settings has been renamed to "Change active updates policy on remote computers":
  • Activation panel changes:
  • "Embed current updates policy into activation file" option has been renamed to "Embed updates policy".
  • "Load" button on user info panel has been renamed to "Reload".
  • New updates panel for checking for latest PC Guard updates:
  • New panel includes information about latest version, latest version release date and what's new documentation for the latest build.
  • If there is a new version available "Download" button can be used for accessing our online activation center.
  • Few other minor fixes and security improvements:

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0530 (Oct 23, 2018)

  • What's new:
  • Custom buttons settings section added to customization settings.
  • Activation dialog custom buttons settings moved to this section.
  • Custom buttons added to license removal and license transfer dialogs.
  • There are now two custom buttons for license removal dialog and two custom buttons for license transfer dialog which can be used for any purpose like opening web page, opening a document or running external application.
  • Multilingual support for license removal, license transfer and password protection dialogs.
  • These dialogs will now include additional control for selecting user interface language (same as with activation dialog) in case more then one language is defined in language settings.
  • Up to now, these dialogs were displayed only in default language as set in project settings.
  • From now on, these dialogs will be displayed in default language but end user will be able to change interface language.
  • Removal code macro (%REMOVALCODE%) added to custom buttons action string macros.
  • Few other minor fixes and security improvements.
  • Sample custom dialogs VS DLL C++ project with default dialogs has been updated to reflect recent changes.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0510 (Sep 4, 2018)

  • What's new:
  • With this release we are further extending Windows users section with new options and features.
  • 'Allowed users by network type' option added to Windows users settings:
  • Use this option to allow access to Windows users based on network (domain/workgroup) they are using:
  • Following values are available for this option:
  • All users:
  • Both domain and workgroup Windows users are allowed to access protected application.
  • This is default value.
  • Workgroup users only:
  • Only workgroup users are allowed to access protected application.
  • 'User_Workgr_Required' error message ("This application can be run by workgroup users only!") will be displayed in case currently logged Windows user is domain network user.
  • Domain users only:
  • Only domain users are allowed to access protected application.
  • 'User_Domain_Required' error message ("This application can be run by domain users only!") will be displayed in case currently logged Windows user is workgroup network user.
  • 'Limit number of logged in users' option added:
  • Use this option to limit number of logged in Windows users on remote computer. Limit can be set to any number from 1 to 99.
  • Protection code will check number of currently logged Windows users on remote machine and display 'User_LoggedIn_Limit' error message ("This application can not be run because too many Windows users are currently logged in!") in case it is higher than maximum allowed.
  • 'Limit access to single network" option added:
  • Select this option and set network name to allow access to users from single (domain/workgroup) network only.
  • Protection code will display 'User_Network_Error' error message ("This application can not be run on this network!") in case current network name is different from allowed network name.
  • Windows users settings added to protection wizard:
  • 'Windows users access control' option has been renamed to 'Allowed users by user type':
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one:

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0500 (Jul 9, 2018)

  • What's new:
  • New 'Windows users' section added to security settings.
  • 'Windows users access control' settings moved to 'Windows users' settings.
  • Filter Windows users by username feature added.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0490 (May 8, 2018)

  • What's new:
  • Windows users access control feature.
  • "Windows users access control" option added to security settings.
  • Following value are available for this option:
  • All users
  • Both administrators and standard users can access protected application. (DEFAULT)
  • Administrator users only
  • Only administrator users (users from administrators group and with elevated privileges) can access protected application.
  • If application is not run by administrator users with elevated privileges User_Admin_Required error message ("This application can be run only by Windows user with administrator rights!") will be displayed.
  • Standard (restricted) users only.
  • Only standard (restricted) users can access protected application.
  • If application is run by users with elevated privileges User_Std_Required ("This application can not be run by Windows administrator users!") error message will be displayed.
  • "Enable access for restricted users" is no longer available and has been removed from General settings.
  • Use new "Windows users access control" option to selected if restricted users are allowed to access protected application by choosing "All users" or "Standard (restricted) users" value.
  • By default, this option is set to "All users" (access is enabled to restricted users).
  • RTE help is now integral part of online user guide.
  • Local .chm file is no longer included in distribution.
  • Update check improved.
  • Interface dll (iDLL/iDLL64) has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0470 (Mar 13, 2018)

  • Instead of opening local .chm help file PC Guard will now use online User guide.
  • Protection interface help and RTE help is still available in .chm help format and can be accessed from main help menu.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0400 (Jan 23, 2018)

  • Macros added to language editor
  • It is now possible to add macros to messages in language editor.
  • Before displaying message protection code will scan messages for macros and replace macros with appropriate values.
  • Following macros are currently available:
  • %SITECODE% - Site code value
  • %MIDCODE% - Machine ID (MID) value
  • %NEXTSITECODE% - Next site code value (for license extension feature)
  • %NEXTMIDCODE% - Next Machine ID value (for license extension feature)
  • %APPNAME% - Application name
  • %SERIALNUMBER% - Serial number value (empty if no serial number is set)
  • %LOGFILE% - full path to log file (empty if logging is disabled)
  • User information data as set in project settings:
  • %USERNAME% - User name
  • %USERADDRESS% - User address
  • %USERCOMPANY% - User company
  • %USERCUSTOM1% - User custom info 1
  • %USERCUSTOM2% - User custom info 2
  • %USERCUSTOM3% - User custom info 3
  • Language macros dropdown list added to language editor.
  • Use this option to select available macros and copy them to clipboard.
  • Few other minor fixes and security improvements.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with latest one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0370 (Dec 11, 2017)

  • What's new:
  • Custom features and custom counters added to server configuration file.
  • It is now possible to pass custom features and custom counters to applications protected with network protection method by using server configuration file.
  • Embed custom features and embed custom counters options added to server configuration file settings.
  • Custom features to be embedded into configuration file can be edited directly from server configuration file panel.
  • Server configuration file can now hold the following information:
  • General network protection settings
  • Custom user information
  • IP filters
  • Custom features
  • Custom counters (10)
  • Validity period (of configuration file)
  • Notes:
  • Server configuration file version has been increased to 5.
  • Server configuration file report will now include information about stored custom features and custom counters.
  • Old protected applications will not be able to handle latest server configuration files.
  • Applications protected with this version will be able to handle old (ver. 3 and ver. 4) configuration files.
  • User information & custom features can be edited directly from server configuration file panel. If these dialogs are not opened from server configuration file panel PC Guard will use default user information/custom features as set in project settings and store them into configuration file.
  • Few other minor bug fixes and improvements.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0350 (Oct 4, 2017)

  • New limited license feature: Day of the month expiration.
  • If enabled, application will expire on specific day of the month.
  • Examples:
  • If day of the month is set to:
  • 1 - application will expire on first day of any month.
  • 31 - application will expire on last day of any month.
  • This means 31st day for months with 31 days, 30th day for month with 30 days and on 28th (29th for leap years) February.
  • 30 - application will expire on 30th day except in February when it will expire on 28th (29th for leap years).
  • 29 - application will expire on 29th day except in February when it will expire on 28th (29th for leap years).
  • Exact expiration date is determined by the day of activation.
  • Examples:
  • If day of month is set to 1 and application is activated on first day of current month license will be valid until first day of next month (about 30 days). If it is activated on 15th of current month it will be valid until 1st of next month (about 15 days).
  • If day of month is set to 15 and application is activated on first day of month license will be valid until 15th of current month (about 15 days). If it is activated on 20th of current month it will be valid until 15th of next month (about 25 days)
  • Note:
  • Default license validity (number of days) should be set to 31 day in case day of the month limitation is enabled.
  • Extended activation panel supports day of the month expiration feature. Easily change default day of the month expiration value when generating extended activation code for protected application.
  • ACEN Web licensing - Limited license feature:
  • Number of runs limitation and day of the month limitation will be automatically disabled in case of ACEN web licensing.
  • New protection interface structure members.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.
  • NEW PROTECTION INTERFACE STRUCTURE

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0310 (Sep 19, 2017)

  • [+] Added support for Flowstone DSP applications (http://dsprobotics.com)
  • [+] ACEN server settings tab added to remote protection settings.
  • Activation center Url moved from web licensing settings to ACEN server settings.
  • [+] ACEN admin username/password options added to ACEN server settings
  • Any valid ACEN user (admin) username/password can be used here.
  • These options are required for testing connection to ACEN web server and validating programs for web licensing.
  • ACEN admin username will be saved to project settings. Password will not be saved together with other project settings for security reasons.
  • Password value should be set when access to ACEN from PC Guard is required (for testing connection to ACEN server and validating program for web licensing).
  • [+] "Test" connection to ACEN server button added to ACEN server settings.
  • Connection to ACEN web server service will be tested. This feature requires ACEN server 04.11.00 and later.
  • In case of successful connection appropriate message will be displayed together with information about remote ACEN server version.
  • [+] "Validate" program button added to ACEN web licensing settings.
  • This feature will validate Program for web licensing (check if there is a program with such ID and if web licensing is enabled for program).
  • [!] Few other minor bug fixes and improvements.
  • [>] ACEN web service interface modules are updated!

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0300 (May 15, 2017)

  • [+] Out of the box support for ACEN Web licensing added! (BETA)
  • Activation center (ACEN) has two main licensing models for programs protected with remote protection: Standard and Web licensing.
  • In standard licensing model each license is identified by Customer, Order and Program and requires valid client account and order data in activation center.
  • In web licensing model each license is identified by Program and Serial Number pair only. No Client or Order entry is required.
  • ACEN web licensing model can be implemented in two ways:
  • 1. By handling all licensing tasks from your code.
  • This requires additional programming on your side but allows maximum flexibility. ACEN includes required web service documentation and sample desktop application which implements ACEN web service handling to get you started.
  • 2. By letting PC Guard's protection code automatically handle all web licensing tasks in three easy steps:
  • STEP 1: Set required Activation center (ACEN) options.
  • STEP 2: Set required PC Guard project settings
  • STEP 3: Protect and distribute application.
  • [+] Web licensing settings panel added to remote protection settings.
  • Here is the list of new options:
  • - "ACEN Web licensing enabled" option
  • Select to enable web licensing in PC Guard. Protected application will automatically handle all web licensing tasks in conjunction with Activation center server.
  • - "ACEN Program ID" option (mandatory)
  • Program ID value as defined in Activation center (ACEN).
  • Note: This is not the same as Program ID value in remote protection settings! This is identification number for program in Activation center.
  • - "ACEN Web service URL" option (mandatory)
  • Full path (URL) to Activation center (ACEN) web service. URL must start with "http://" or "https://"
  • - "Make license alive (active) report to ACEN server" option
  • Select to enable license alive report to ACEN server. Additional settings:
  • - Timing (Select timing of the alive report.)
  • Available values: "on each run" and "once a day"
  • - If report fails (Select action in case alive report fails. This usually happens because computer is not connected to the Internet)
  • Available values: "do nothing", "show error" and "show error and exit"
  • "do nothing" - protection will just pass control to application.
  • "show error" - protection code will show error message and pass control to application.
  • "show error and exit" - protection code will show error message and close application.
  • - "Check if license is removed from ACEN server" option
  • Select to enable check if license is removed from ACEN server. Additional settings:
  • - Timing (Select timing of the alive report.)
  • Available values: "on each run" and "once a day"
  • - If report fails (Select action in case alive report fails. This usually happens because computer is not connected to the Internet)
  • Available values: "do nothing", "show error" and "show error and exit"
  • "do nothing" - protection code will just pass control to application.
  • "show error" - protection code will show error message and pass control to application.
  • "show error and exit" - protection code will show error message and close application.
  • - If removed (Select action in case license is removed from ACEN)
  • Available values: "reset license" and "reset license and ban"
  • "reset license" - protection code will reset existing license and close application. Next time application is run it will automatically try to get new license from Activation center.
  • "reset license and ban" - protection code will reset existing license, ban remote computer (!) from accessing Activation center and close application. Next time application is run it will display AWS_BannedError ("License can not be activated on this computer!"). Ban is set locally and not in ACEN so in case end user formats computer and reinstall software application will try to get new activation code from Activation center.
  • Please refer to "REMOTE PROTECTION: ACEN Web licensing: Options" chapter in product manual for detailed information about each option.
  • [+] Web licensing settings added to protection wizard.
  • [*] Improved handling of tls (thread local storage) for 32/64 bit Windows applications.
  • [*] Improved handling of multiple protection layers for .NET applications.
  • [!] "Limit number of application instances" was ignored in case of specific combination of options with PLAIN protection. Fixed.
  • [!] PC Guard Win64/.NET64: Fixed problem with "Limit number of application instances" feature on some 64bit operating systems (std error was displayed).
  • [!] Few other minor bug fixes.
  • [>] Product manul includes new web licensing chapters:
  • REMOTE PROTECTION: ACEN Web licensing: Requirements
  • REMOTE PROTECTION: ACEN Web licensing: Overview
  • REMOTE PROTECTION: ACEN Web licensing: Activation center settings
  • REMOTE PROTECTION: ACEN Web licensing: Options
  • [>] In case of web licensing, protected application requires the following additional modules:
  • 1. ACEN web service interface modules:
  • These files are included in full featured version of PC Guard.
  • 2. Microsoft Visual C++ redistributable files (msvcp100.dll and msvcr100.dll)
  • If "Auto copy required modules" option is enabled in System settings PC Guard will automatically copy required modules including MS VC++ redistributable files to target directory during protection process.
  • [>] Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0230 (Mar 17, 2017)

  • If "Application will handle license management" option is set protection code will no longer try to load activation file on startup in case application is already activated and license extension is enabled.
  • Loading of activation file in this case should be handled by protected application via advanced protection interface (LoadActivationFile function).
  • Fixed problem with log file path.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.
  • Improved support for Lahey Fortran applications.
  • New protection interface error code:
  • PCGI_WINDOWS_SYSTEM_ERROR 28
  • This error code is returned in case of standard Windows system error. Please use GetLastError Windows API function to obtain actual error code.
  • PI_CheckForUsbDrive function will now return PCGI_WINDOWS_SYSTEM_ERROR instead of showing error and closing application in case of Windows system error. Please update your code if you are using this function in order to properly handle new error code.
  • NEW PROTECTION INTERFACE STRUCTURE
  • Updated protection interface documentation and new versions of include files are also available.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0150 (May 12, 2015)

  • Remote protection: Reset license button added to general settings.
  • Use this button to reset license status for currently used project on computer where PC Guard is running. This feature is useful for testing purposes.
  • PC Guard for .NET64/Win64: fixed problem with handle leaks.
  • Improved compatility with some applications.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0140 (Feb 3, 2015)

  • Added support for Neobook 5.8 applications.
  • Resolved issues with resource encryption and relocations handling for some VS 2013 64bit applications.
  • Fixed problem with TLS management with Delphi 64bit applications.
  • Improved handling of imports for complex protection setups.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.

New in PC Guard for Win32 6.00.0130 (Dec 3, 2014)

  • What's new in this update:
  • New advanced protection interface function: IsVirtualMachine()
  • This function will check if application is running under virtual machine (VM).
  • New C++ (VS project included) sample command line application for accessing protection interface environment variables.
  • Extended activation dialog, "clear" button added to custom counters panel. This button will reset all custom counters to zero.
  • Wine detection improved.
  • Remote protection: Problem with a crash inside UxTheme.dll has been fixed. Crash was occuring with some protected applications after closing them under Windows XP only.
  • .NET64/Win64: Protection interface: Environment variables for custom features and custom counters were not correctly set by protection code.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.
  • NEW PROTECTION INTERFACE DEFINITIONS Please be sure to update protection interface definitions (pcgint.h) and protection interface dll (pcgint.dll) in order to be able to access new advanced protection interface function.
  • Interface dll (iDLL/iDLL64) has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 06.00.0090 (Feb 5, 2014)

  • What's new in this update:
  • Activation dialog: custom buttons:
  • all macros for action strings are now available in drop-down list control for easier implementation.
  • action string length has been increased from 300 to 600 characters.
  • new action string macro: %LICSTATUS%
  • This macro will return current license status string value as displayed on activation dialog. This can be one of the following language messages: LNG_RPDB_STATUS_UNLOCKED , LNG_RPDB_STATUS_UNLOCKED_DEMO, LNG_RPDB_STATUS_LOCKED, LNG_RPDB_STATUS_LOCKED_DEMO
  • Activation dialog was displayed even when special key was not toggled (remote + demo + display counter + special key pop-up).
  • Protection interface : ApplicationStatus was set to 0 (instead of 1) in case of network protection method.
  • Server configuration file report filename was always set to default SERVER.DAT.LOG filename.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 06.00.0080 (Feb 5, 2014)

  • What's new in this update:
  • Fixed problem with 64bit interface dll on Windows 8 and Windows 2012 operating systems.
  • Fixed problem with custom counter descriptions in activation panel (descriptions were not displayed when opened from extended activation data panel).
  • Fixed problem with cd/dvd/hd scanning.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.

New in PC Guard for Win32 06.00.0070 (Aug 13, 2013)

  • What's new in this update:
  • Improved support for mixed .net .dll modules.
  • USB protection: in case project file holds valid usb drive information (serial number) and usb drive is not attached to computer during protection prompt will be displayed instead of canceling protection process. This is useful for protection of program updates.
  • 'Reset limited license for this update' option
  • This options is valid for remote protection with limited license enabled only.
  • If enabled, existing limited license on remote computer will be reinitialized with current limitations. Option is useful in cases where you need to update existing license limitations for appropriate update without providing license update activation code.
  • New custom buttons macro: �TETIME%
  • Fixed problem with logging of messages.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 06.00.0060 (Aug 13, 2013)

  • Smart dll handling improved.
  • Added support for WinDev 17 applications.
  • Improved bios detection algorithm.
  • Improved handling of files with huge internal overlays.
  • Extended activation panel fixes.
  • Fixed problem with "Limit number of instances" feature.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.

New in PC Guard for Win32 06.00.0050 (Aug 13, 2013)

  • "Detect existing V5 license" option added. (beta)
  • If selected, protected application will try to detect and use existing active license of application protected with PC Guard Win32/.NET V5 and with same project settings (application signature and program id).
  • This option is useful in case license reactivation should be avoided for free application updates for applications originally protected with PC Guard V5 family products.
  • Check for existing V5 license is done only once during the first run of protected application on remote machine.
  • If existing V6 license is detected on remote machine application protected with this option enabled will not check for V5 license at all.
  • If V5 license is detected but not active (application is in demo mode or in locked state) it will be ignored.
  • If active V5 license is detected, protected application will automatically activate itself. No further V5 licenses checks will be done on remote machine after this.
  • This feature should be considered as beta at this stage.
  • Resolved problem with generation of protection report when run from command line.
  • Fixed problem with some Authorware applications.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 06.00.0040 (Aug 13, 2013)

  • Improved support for previously packed applications.
  • %SERIALNUMBER% custom buttons macro will now be replaced with value from serial number text box on activation dialog.
  • Improved handling of tls section for 64bit Windows applications.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.
  • Interface dll has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.

New in PC Guard for Win32 06.00.0030 (Aug 13, 2013)

  • Increased size of action string for custom buttons to 300 chars.
  • Fixed problem with merged site/mid code verification in activation panel.
  • Fixed problem with 64bit applications without resources.
  • Fixed problem with handling of 64bit .NET .DLL modules.
  • Interface dll (iDLL) has been updated. Please be sure to update existing version with this one.s version.

New in PC Guard for Win32 06.00.0020 (Aug 13, 2013)

  • Added support for Raal Studio 2012 applications.
  • Fixed problem with protection interface for VB applications.
  • Fixed problem with some .net .dll modules.
  • Few other minor bug fixes.
  • All PC Guard V6 users should upgrade to this version.

New in PC Guard for Win32 06.00.0010 (Aug 13, 2013)

  • PC Guard now ships with four default languages (English, French, German and Portuguese). For existing installations please use Restore feature in language editor to install these languages. Default languages file(pcguard.lng) is located in installation directory of PC Guard.
  • Multiple fixes.
  • All users of PC Guard for .NET64 and PC Guard for Win64 and PC Guard for Win32/.NET V6 should upgrade to this version.

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.04.0200 (Nov 2, 2009)

  • Activation panel: User info window is now opened only in case both "Extended activation enabled" and "Load activation file" options in remote protection settings are enabled.
  • License transfer: In case limited license, protection interface and "Limit number of application instances" features are disabled application will now generate standard instead of extended activation code.
  • New custom buttons predefined macro values.
  • Load activation file feature: protection code can now load both new activation files and old activation files.

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.03.0600 (Mar 19, 2009)

  • Network protection: IP filters can now be embedded into network configuration file.
  • New command line switch: UPDATEID (Application update ID)
  • New custom buttons macro: %LANGUAGE% (selected language name)
  • Custom dialogs: "Keep dialog titles" option added.
  • Protection interface: InvalidateSerialNumber() function added.
  • Few minor bugs fixed.
  • NEW BUILD OF INTERFACE DLL (PCGW32.DLL) !
  • NEW NETWORK CONFIGURATION FILE VERSION (4) !

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.03.0500 (Feb 25, 2009)

  • Protection Wizard feature.
  • Virtual machine detection improved.
  • Security & Encryption: 'Disable remote sessions' option added.
  • System settings: "Date format" option added.
  • System settings: "Auto copy interface DLL" option added.
  • 'New project' option added to Projects menu.
  • 'Projects'/'Reset to default' menu item renamed to "Restore default settings"
  • Activation panel: generated activation code and validated serial number will be automatically copied to clipboard now.
  • Few UI and menu items changes.
  • Few minor bugs fixed.
  • Custom dialogs example project updated.
  • NEW BUILD OF INTERFACE DLL

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.03.0300 (Jan 26, 2009)

  • RTE enabled" option added to Security & Encryption options.

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.03.0200 (Nov 27, 2008)

  • Added support for Mediator 9 applications.
  • Activation panel: Extended activation dialog will not be displayed in case extended activation is disabled in project settings.
  • Activation panel: activation code info message is now displayed after generation of activation code in case of extended activation code or in case extend evaluation period or disable limited license flags are set.
  • "Don't show activation code info" option added to system settings.
  • Resolved "File damaged!" error with same DLL files.
  • Few minor bugs fixed.

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.02.0600 (Sep 15, 2008)

  • Flexible machine locking feature.
  • Added support for Opus Pro (Digital Workshop) applications.
  • Remote protection: additional check for activation codes created with wrong project settings in case demo mode is enabled.

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.02.0410 (Jul 15, 2008)

  • Flexible machine locking feature.
  • Added support for Opus Pro (Digital Workshop) applications.
  • Remote protection: additional check for activation codes created with wrong project settings in case demo mode is enabled

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.02.0410 (Jun 24, 2008)

  • 'Security Checks' section renamed to 'Security & Encryption'.
  • 'Locking & Encryption' section renamed to 'Machine locking'.
  • Encryption options moved to 'Security & Encryption' section.
  • 'Don't randomize Site/MID codes for first installation' option added to 'Machine locking' section.

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.02.0400 (Jun 10, 2008)

  • Serial numbers blacklist feature.
  • 'Mark blacklisted serials" option added to serial number settings.
  • 'Preserve counters after license removal' option.
  • 'Preserve counters after license transfer' option.
  • Support for Real Basic 2008 applications.
  • Tree menu organization changed.
  • %SERIALNUMBER% macro added to custom buttons macros.
  • Fixed problem with prompt for saving project settings.
  • System settings are now managed per machine/user and not per project.
  • Default protection and activation report names changed.
  • Default AC Generator parameters filename can now be set in project settings.
  • 'Load last used project on startup' option added to system settings.
  • 'Check for updates on startup' option added to system settings.
  • 'Compatibility flag 1' is now always turned ON for .NET applications.
  • NEW BUILD OF INTERFACE DLL

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.02.0360 (Apr 25, 2008)

  • "Reset to default" option added to Project menu.
  • Fix for Fortran 6 applications.
  • "Compatibility flag 2" option is now automatically set for Active e-book applications.
  • "Enable access for restricted users" is now by default turned ON.
  • New Help menu options

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.02.0250 (Feb 16, 2008)

  • [ ] "Compatibility flag 3" option added to General project settings.
  • [#] "Enable /3GB compatibility" option in General project settings renamed to "Compatibility flag 2" option.
  • [#] Changed the way language file and projects history is managed under Vista.
  • [>] NEW BUILD OF INTERFACE DLL (PCGW32.DLL)

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.02.0200 (Feb 7, 2008)

  • Added support for WinDev 10 and WinDev 11 applications
  • Added support for AutoPlay Media Studio
  • 'Wine detection' option added to general project settings.
  • "Manage Load configuration" option added to General settings.
  • New ("Security checks") project settings section added.

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.02.0100 (Nov 8, 2007)

  • Support for serial number validation in AC Generator for Win32.
  • Changed the way PLAIN protection, DEMO mode and SERIAL NUMBERS combination works.
  • "Prevent file modifications" option added to general project settings.
  • Protection report now includes detailed information about program sections and file size before and after protection.
  • Custom buttons information is now included in protection report.
  • NEW BUILD OF INTERFACE DLL (PCGW32.DLL)

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.02.0000 (Oct 14, 2007)

  • Serial numbers feature added!
  • Activation panel changes.
  • License folder name removed from general project settings.
  • Added support for Camtasia 4 applications.
  • Improved support for PowerBuilder 10 applications.
  • License file management code improved.
  • New advanced protection interface functions
  • Improved support for PowerBuilder 10 applications

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.01.0580 (Jun 14, 2007)

  • Backup option added to Application info section.
  • Output filename option added to Application info section.
  • OUTPUT command line interface option added.
  • Custom user information added to User information section.
  • Network protection: Start date added to time limited configuration file options

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.01.0560 (May 4, 2007)

  • New minor update of PC Guard for .NET/Win32

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.01 (Mar 3, 2007)

  • Support for WBTExpress and Help & Manual 3.5 and 4.x applications.

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.01 (Jul 25, 2006)

  • Automate activation process for your clients! Centralize, easily manage and track all information about your customers, their orders and licenses with Activation center (ACEN)
  • New user interface.
  • New encryption system.
  • New activation system.
  • Advanced protection interface system.
  • The following information can now be accessed via protection interface:
  • Application status (locked/unlocked)
  • Demo mode status (on/off)
  • Demo limitations status (uses left counter and days left counter)
  • Limited license status (on/off)
  • Limited license counter (days left counter)
  • Site code
  • Machine ID (MID) code
  • Next Site code
  • Next Machine ID (MID) code
  • Application name
  • User name
  • User address
  • User company
  • Custom features (16 features passed via init code)
  • Custom counters (10 counters)
  • The following interface functions are currently available:
  • GetInterfaceData()
  • UpdateCustomCounters()
  • UnlockApplication()
  • RemoveLicense()
  • TransferLicense()
  • ExtendLicense()
  • CheckDemoLimitations()
  • CheckLimitedLicense()
  • Runtime encryption system.
  • Fragments of code are marked in source code by using special start and end labels. These fragments of code in compiled application are recognized by PC Guard and are additionally encrypted during protection process. Runtime encrypted code always stays encrypted in memory. It is not decrypted during application startup. It's managed by special code each time it should be executed. Once it is executed it's encrypted again.
  • Network protection method.
  • Network protection method is suitable for controlling (limiting) number of workstations simultaneously accessing protected program located on network server. You can combine network protection method with IP filtering feature to additionally lock protected program to target network.
  • IP Filtering system.
  • You can now easily enable access to protected application only from computers with specific IP addresses or from specific sub-domains. You can define up to 30 different IP filters (unique IP addresses or sub-domains). IP filtering can be combined with any protection method.
  • Language editor.
  • You can now manage (edit/load/save) more than 70 interface messages for 15 different languages including messages from all interface dialog boxes.
  • License extension feature.
  • Your client can now easily extend his limited license before it expires. He will be able to extend his license at any time. Even more, he can do it unlimited number of times as long as you provide him with valid Init codes. You can also access next Site/MID codes directly from protected application through protection interface and present them to your customer or send them to your online web server.
  • Evaluation period extension feature.
  • Imagine this scenario: your client needs additional evaluation time in order to further test protected application but his demo version has expired and requires activation code to be activated. You can now easily extend evaluation period for your client. You just have to calculate special activation code for such purpose: select "Extend evaluation period" option, calculate activation code and pass it to your client.
  • Four customizable buttons for activation dialog box.
  • You can now enable/disable four buttons and assign action string for each button. Action string can be a document name, folder name or http link for example. This will allow your client to open your homepage, help or license agreement file just by pressing appropriate custom button.
  • You can also use the following predefined values in action strings:
  • %SITECODE% - Site code value (generated on site)
  • %MIDCODE% - Machine ID (MID) value (generated on site)
  • %APPNAME% - Application name string
  • %USERNAME% - User name
  • %USERADDRESS% - User address
  • %USERCOMPANY% - User company
  • New locking system with seven locking parameters.
  • Seven locking parameters are now available:
  • HD volume ID
  • Bios ID
  • OS ID
  • CPU ID
  • Network card ID
  • HD hardware ID
  • CD/DVD hardware ID
  • Fixed date limitation feature.
  • If set, protected program will expire on a set date.
  • Timer limitation feature.
  • If set, protected program will be terminated after running in memory for the specified amount of time (in minutes).
  • "Lock program to installation directory" feature
  • You can now lock program protected with remote protection method to its installation directory - directory in which the program was located during unlocking process. Once it's unlocked, program can not be started from different directory. This counts for current and all future installations of the same program.
  • "Erase previous license" feature
  • Protected program will erase previously activated license of the same program if it detects it on target computer. As a result, protected program will become locked and display different Site/MID code. Of course, new activation code will be required also.
  • "Limit number of application instances" feature.
  • You can now easily control (limit) number of application instances per computer. For applications running under Windows server terminal services number of instances is valid per server and not per workstation. You can thus use this feature to implement network floating licensing in such environment.
  • Custom counters feature.
  • You can now securely manage (change/save) 10 custom (long integer) counters directly from your application by using protection interface. Initial values for counters can be set during protection process.
  • "Read activation code from file" option.
  • If you select this option and set the name of the file with activation code protected program will try to load activation code from this file before
  • displaying unlocking dialog. If the activation code is valid protected program will automatically unlock protected program without showing unlocking dialog.
  • Improved license management code.
  • License management code will now make additional checks in order to prevent various problems caused by damaged system files.
  • "Special key popup enabled" option.
  • You can now select special key for invoking activation dialog box.
  • Available options are: 1) "Scroll lock" 2) "Caps lock" 3) "Both keys"
  • New report module for activation code calculation.
  • You can now save activation code calculation report in three different styles: standard, tab separated and comma separated. Default project style can be defined in project settings.
  • Improved DLL protection with new loading system.

New in PC Guard for Win32 5.00 (May 31, 2006)

  • New user interface.
  • New encryption system.
  • New activation system.
  • Advanced protection interface system