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CORE ARCHITECTURE

Four Pillars of Protection

Designed to deliver uncompromised digital privacy on Windows workstations.

Password & Recovery

Manage master credentials with OWASP password standards, configure emergency email OTP verification via our Master Password Recovery Guide, and defeat brute-force dictionary attacks.

  • 6-Digit Email OTP verification
  • 3-Strike brute-force auto-lockout
  • Offline Emergency Master Key
View Recovery Guide

App & Vault Locking

Lock individual Windows executables, isolate sensitive directories, and sandbox private data in military vaults.

Explore Feature Armor

Hardware Guardians

Enforce real-world physical security with silent webcam capture, offline image caches, and acoustic laptop charger unplug sirens.

  • Silent intruder photo capture
  • Offline snapshot flush to email
  • Laptop charger unplug siren alarm
Explore Hardware Alarms

License & Multi-PC

Activate your PRO license, view device HWIDs, or migrate activations between your home and office computers.

  • 1-Click device migration via OTP
  • Single (1 PC), Duo (2 PCs), Family (5 PCs) — see Licensing Tiers
  • Offline RSA-2048 cryptographic licensing
View Transfer Guide
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES

Essential Walkthroughs

Clear, illustrated procedures for the two most frequent user requirements.

Device Migration

How to Transfer License to a New PC

1

Download & Install PrivaGuard on New PC

Download the verified Windows installer from our Early Access Waitlist and launch PrivaGuard on your new computer.

2

Enter Your Existing License Key

Open the License & Account tab or click "Activate PRO". Enter your registered email address and license key:

PG-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
3

Verify 1-Click Migration OTP

PrivaGuard will detect that your key was previously bound to an older device and will send an OTP confirmation code to your email. Enter the code to automatically release the old PC and bind the new PC!

Multi-PC Plans: Duo Edition (2 PCs) and Family Edition (5 PCs) allow you to activate multiple computers concurrently under the same license key without unbinding your existing PCs. Compare all options on our Pricing & License Matrix. Compare all options on our Pricing & License Matrix.
Emergency Recovery

How to Reset Master Password if Locked Out

1

Click "Forgot Password?" on the Lock Overlay

Whenever PrivaGuard prompts for credentials, click the "Forgot Password?" link beneath the input field.

2

Receive 6-Digit Email OTP Verification

A secure 6-digit authorization code is automatically dispatched to the recovery email address you registered during initial setup.

3

Set Your New Master Password

Enter the 6-digit code inside PrivaGuard. You will immediately be prompted to define a new Master Password. All your locked apps and encrypted files remain completely intact!

Offline Fallback: If your PC has no active internet connection, you can enter your 24-Character Offline Recovery Key (generated during initial installation) to unlock immediately. For full emergency protocols, read our Password Recovery Architecture Guide. For full emergency protocols, read our Password Recovery Architecture Guide.
KEYBOARD PRODUCTIVITY

Ghost Hotkeys & Run Integration

Instant zero-friction access to PrivaGuard from anywhere in Windows.

Ctrl + Alt + P

Instant Summon Dashboard

Brings the PrivaGuard Control Center to the foreground instantly over any fullscreen application, browser, or game.

Ctrl + Shift + Alt + P

Emergency Panic Lock

Immediately terminates active unpaused sessions and re-locks all protected apps and encrypted vault folders in under 1 second.

Win + R ➔ pg

Windows Run Dialog Launch

PrivaGuard is officially registered in Windows App Paths. Press Win+R, type pg or privaguard, and press Enter to launch.

System Tray Shield Status Indicators:
Green Shield: Active Kernel Protection & Process Watchdog
Yellow Shield: Temporary Meeting Mode / Protection Snoozed
Red Shield: Intrusion / Tamper Attempt Detected
UNDER THE HOOD

Security Explained: Why PrivaGuard Does This

Understanding the military-grade hardening that keeps your Windows workstation bulletproof.

Anti-Termination Hook

Task Manager "Access is Denied" Shield

When an unauthorized person or script tries to kill PrivaGuard via Windows Task Manager, Process Hacker, or taskkill /F, Windows Kernel rejects the action with "Access is denied".

PrivaGuard applies native Microsoft DACL (Discretionary Access Control) security via SetKernelObjectSecurity, stripping PROCESS_TERMINATE (0x0001) and PROCESS_SUSPEND_RESUME from both standard users and Administrators (documented in How PrivaGuard Works). Transparent logic is inspectable in our GitHub Open-Core Repository. To exit, provide your Master Password inside PrivaGuard.
SafeBoot Armor

Safe Mode Boot Protection

Most common app lockers can be bypassed by simply restarting Windows in Safe Mode. PrivaGuard completely defeats this attack vector.

PrivaGuard registers as a true Windows NT Service inside Microsoft SafeBoot Kernel Keys (SafeBoot\Minimal and SafeBoot\Network). Even in minimal diagnostic mode, the process supervisor launches in Session 0 and keeps protected software strictly locked. Explore our Full Feature Armor for comprehensive defensive specs.
50ms Sentinel

Multi-Hive Self-Healing Config

If an intruder tries to delete or modify config.json to erase your password, the deletion is immediately blocked by NTFS ACLs.

Even if deleted via privileged boot media, PrivaGuard's real-time ReadDirectoryChangesW worker detects tampering within 1ms and resurrects the HMAC-SHA256 signed backup from config.vault in under 50ms.
CREDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE

Universal Master Key & Custom App Passwords

How PrivaGuard balances granular application isolation with zero-risk master credential recovery.

LEVEL 1: ROOT MASTER KEY (GLOBAL AUTHORITY)

Global Master Password

One cryptographic root key protecting your entire Windows workstation with military-grade PBKDF2 encryption.

100k PBKDF2 Rounds AES-256 GCM Master Override Active
OVERSEES INDEPENDENT APP SHIELDS
LEVEL 2: GRANULAR INDEPENDENT APP PASSWORDS
WhatsApp 6-Digit PIN (e.g. 739211)
Isolated
Google Chrome Alphanumeric Password
Isolated
Telegram Desktop Custom Alpha PIN
Isolated
VS Code Privacy Developer Work PIN
Isolated
PRIVACY WITHOUT EXPOSURE

Granular Per-App Isolation

Lend your laptop to friends or coworkers for a quick task by providing only the PIN for one specific app. Your root Master Password and all other confidential vaults remain 100% cloaked.

FAIL-SAFE RESCUE

Universal Override Principle

If you ever forget any individual app's PIN, you are never locked out. Simply typing your global Master Password overrides any custom lock and restores instant application access.

CRYPTOGRAPHIC BENCHMARK

NIST SP 800-132 Verified

Credentials use 100,000 PBKDF2 iterations and 16-byte random salts per NIST SP 800-132 recommendations. Stored with NIST SP 800-38D AES-256 GCM encryption and protected by constant-time string comparisons against timing attacks.

REAL-WORLD WORKSPACE SCENARIO

Lending Your Laptop to a Friend or Colleague

Traditional app lockers force you to choose between completely unlocking your machine or giving away your universal password. PrivaGuard solves this dilemma forever.

Traditional Locker: Share 1 master password ➔ Intruders see everything
PrivaGuard Dual-Tier: Share Chrome PIN ➔ WhatsApp, Telegram & Vault stay bulletproof
PHYSICAL WORKSPACE SECURITY

Hardware Guardians & Acoustic Sirens

Defend your physical laptop in coffee shops, libraries, and co-working spaces.

Anti-Theft Siren

Public Charger Unplug Siren Alarm

Enable "Charger Guard" when leaving your laptop charging in public. If anyone unplugs your power adapter or moves your laptop, PrivaGuard immediately sounds an ear-piercing emergency siren until the Master Password is typed.

Battery Health

90% Battery Protection Alert

Lithium-ion laptop batteries degrade rapidly when left plugged in at 100%. PrivaGuard monitors battery charge levels and sounds a gentle acoustic chime when reaching 90% to help you preserve long-term battery lifespan.

Offline Outbox

Encrypted Offline Snapshot Queue

If someone inputs 3 incorrect passwords while your laptop has no WiFi connection, PrivaGuard securely captures their photo and queues it in pending_alerts.json. The moment WiFi connects, the alert is automatically flushed to your email with the exact event timestamp.

TRANSPARENT SPECIFICATIONS

Free Edition vs. PRO Edition

Compare capabilities across all PrivaGuard licensing tiers. Ready to unlock multi-PC and biometric protection? Explore our Commercial Pricing Plans with 14-day money-back guarantee.

Security Feature PrivaGuard Free PrivaGuard PRO (All Tiers)
Protected Applications Up to 3 Applications Unlimited Apps
AES-256 File & Folder Vault 1 Directory Unlimited Encrypted Vaults
Intruder Webcam Photo Snapshots Local Log Preview Only Instant Email Dispatch + Local
Emergency Remote Email OTP Resets Max 2 per 24 Hours Unlimited Instant Resets
Kernel DACL Anti-Kill Process Armor Basic User Protection Full Administrator Taskkill Immunity
Windows Safe Mode Boot Sentinel ❌ Not Included Active Service Boot Registration
Public Anti-Theft Charger Alarm ❌ Not Included Full Hardware Acoustic Siren
Simultaneous PC Devices Allowed 1 PC Only 1 PC, 2 PCs (Duo), 5 PCs (Family)
Customer Support SLA Community / Email VIP Priority Response (< 4 Hours)
DIAGNOSTIC LOOKUP

Error Codes & Solutions

Search common system codes and resolve them in under 60 seconds.

ERR_HWID_MISMATCH

License Bound to Another Machine

This occurs when your license key is currently activated on another computer or your motherboard HWID was modified.

Fix: Open License & Account, type your email, and click Transfer License. Verify the 1-click email OTP to bind your new PC!
ERR_AUTH_COOLDOWN_60S

Tamper Lockout Cooldown

Triggered after 3 consecutive incorrect master password submissions to protect against brute-force attacks.

Fix: Wait 60 seconds for the timer to expire, or click "Forgot Password?" to reset credentials via registered email OTP.
ERR_CAMERA_BUSY

Webcam Hardware In Use

PrivaGuard could not initialize DirectShow camera capture because another application (Zoom, Teams, Discord) has exclusive camera access.

Fix: Check Windows Settings ➔ Privacy ➔ Camera and verify "Let desktop apps access your camera" is enabled (per Microsoft DirectShow Architecture).
ACCESS_DENIED_DACL

Task Manager Termination Blocked

Displayed by Windows Command Prompt when running taskkill /F /IM PrivaGuard.exe.

Fix: This is intentional kernel armor. To close PrivaGuard, open the app window and select Exit with your Master Password.
ERR_SMARTSCREEN_WARNING

Windows Defender SmartScreen Filter

Occurs on newly downloaded executable updates until Microsoft's SmartScreen accumulates file download reputation.

Fix: Click "More info" on the blue SmartScreen dialog, then click "Run anyway". Read about Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Reputation to understand why new releases display this temporary prompt. PrivaGuard binaries are 100% safe, clean, and verified.
ERR_OFFLINE_QUEUE_FLUSH

Pending Alert Synchronization

Appears briefly when reconnecting to WiFi after offline intrusion attempts were recorded.

Fix: No action required. PrivaGuard automatically dispatches pending intruder snapshots to your email in the background.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Instant Answers

Find fast, authoritative solutions to common technical and account questions.

No. PrivaGuard uses a proactive process supervision engine. If an intruder attempts to terminate PrivaGuard via Windows Task Manager, Process Hacker, or taskkill /F commands, the action is blocked. Furthermore, PrivaGuard's low-level boot registration ensures that even if someone restarts your PC in Windows Safe Mode, locked applications remain strictly inaccessible until the master password is provided.
Absolutely not. PrivaGuard operates under a strict Zero-Knowledge Architecture. Your master password is never transmitted across the network, and we maintain zero access to your credentials or files. Master passwords are cryptographic salted hashes stored purely on your physical device using AES-256 GCM encryption. Review our strict legally binding commitments in the PrivaGuard Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Review our strict legally binding commitments in the PrivaGuard Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
PrivaGuard is built with extreme optimization in mind. In idle background monitoring mode, PrivaGuard consumes less than 0.5% CPU and approximately 30-40 MB of RAM. It does not perform active disk polling or CPU-heavy background indexing, ensuring zero impact on your gaming or battery life.
You can transfer your license key anytime without contacting support! Install PrivaGuard on your new PC, enter your License Key and registered email. A 1-click verification code will be sent to your email. Once confirmed, your older machine is smoothly unbound and your new PC is activated instantly.
Each license tier grants simultaneous activation across its allocated hardware slots:
  • Single Plan: Supports 1 active PC at a time.
  • Duo Plan: Supports up to 2 active PCs concurrently under a single license key.
  • Family Plan: Supports up to 5 PCs simultaneously across your household or business devices.
If you ever format a drive or retire an old laptop, simply activate on the new machine using your email confirmation.
PrivaGuard will display an unobtrusive renewal notification 14 days before your term concludes. If your subscription lapses, your locked applications and encrypted files are never deleted or held hostage — you can unlock them using your Master Password at any time. Lifetime licenses never expire and receive permanent priority updates.
Immediately following purchase, your License Key is presented directly on your screen on the Pricing confirmation modal. A backup copy and VAT/GST invoice from our payment processor (Paddle) is dispatched to your purchase email within 60 seconds. If you cannot find it, please check your Spam/Promotions folder or email support@privaguard.tech with your order ID.
In 99% of cases, this is caused by Windows Camera Privacy permissions. To enable:
  1. Open Windows Settings ➔ Privacy & Security ➔ Camera.
  2. Ensure "Camera access" is toggled ON.
  3. Ensure "Let desktop apps access your camera" is enabled.
Once enabled, test again inside PrivaGuard Settings under Intruder Detection ➔ Test Camera Snapshot.
Because PrivaGuard is an application locker that monitors active foreground processes and intercepts unauthorized process launching, heuristic system scanners occasionally flag newly downloaded versions until our certificates accumulate download reputation. PrivaGuard binaries are 100% clean, verified, and contain zero trackers or adware. You can safely click "More info ➔ Run anyway".
To uninstall, open Windows Settings ➔ Apps ➔ Installed Apps, locate PrivaGuard, and click Uninstall. You will be prompted to enter your Master Password once to verify that an authorized administrator is requesting removal. This security design prevents casual intruders from simply deleting PrivaGuard to get into your private apps!
Yes. PrivaGuard operates completely offline for all core functions: locking applications, enforcing password security, capturing intruder snapshots, and triggering anti-theft alarms. Internet connectivity is only required for initial license activation and optional email OTP delivery during emergency password recovery.
When working in a library, airport lounge, or coffee shop, enable "Charger Guard" in the Hardware Guardian tab. If someone disconnects your laptop's charging cable or attempts to close your laptop lid, PrivaGuard immediately sounds an ear-piercing audible siren and triggers camera snapshots until the master password is authenticated.

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Still Need Assistance?

Our dedicated security engineers and support specialists are on standby to help you resolve any licensing, recovery, or technical challenges. Reach us directly or submit an online request via our Dedicated Security Desk.

Priority Support Desk Open Online Support Ticket ➔
Priority Support Desk Open Online Support Ticket ➔
Direct Support Email support@privaguard.tech
Average Response Time < 4 Hours (24/7)
Inside PrivaGuard App

Faster Resolution via In-App Ticket

If you have PrivaGuard installed on your PC, click "💬 Feedback & Support" in the app sidebar.

In-app tickets automatically attach system diagnostics, cutting resolution time in half!