Folder Guard Settings dialog box: Protection page

Use this page to select Folder Guard protection settings. This page contains the following areas:

Enable protection at Windows startup, logon, and logoff

If checked, this option configures Windows so that it loads the Folder Guard driver during its boot process, and enables the protection at Windows startup. This option also causes the protection to be enabled automatically whenever a user logs on to Windows, or logs off.

If this option is not checked, the protection can be enabled or disabled manually, using the Toggle Protection command on Windows Start menu, or with the hot key or with the taskbar icon of Folder Guard. In such a case, if you enable the protection, it will be in effect only until you manually disable it, or until you restart Windows. If you disable the protection, it will not be enabled automatically.

Note: If you change this option, you must reboot Windows in order for the new setting to take effect.

Enable protection in the safe mode

If checked, this option configures Windows so that it loads the Folder Guard driver even in the safe mode. This option is enabled only when the Enable protection at Windows startup option is checked. Note: this option must be used with care.

Re-enable protection after screen saver is active for .. seconds

Check this box if you want the protection to be re-enabled automatically after a period of user inactivity. (See below for more information on how to use this option).

Note: If you change this option, you must reboot Windows in order for the new setting to take effect. (After that, you can change the "seconds" value without rebooting the computer.)

Add the Lock/Unlock commands to Windows shortcut menu

If checked, this option causes Folder Guard to add the Lock/Unlock commands to the Windows shortcut menu for the folders protected with the unlocking passwords . Note that if you enable the stealth mode, the Unlock command may not be shown on the shortcut menu even if you select this option.

Protect driver from Task Manager

If checked, this option causes Folder Guard to protect itself from being shut down by Windows Task Manager. You may want to enable this option if you don't want other users to be able to use Task Manager to disrupt the operation of Folder Guard. Note, however, that enabling this option can cause Windows to become unstable. If it happens with your system, you may want to prevent other users from using Task Manager at all, by revoking the Allow Task Manager permission.

Protect password prompts from the "password stealers"

If checked, this option causes Folder Guard to protect its password prompts from the software viruses that silently extract the passwords from the boxes where you enter them. This option is enabled by default. If you disable this option, then Folder Guard uses the regular password boxes without any special protection. More information...

Enable Permissions

If checked, this option allows you to use the Permissions command of Folder Guard. If not checked, Folder Guard ignores any permissions you might have set up. You may want to clear this option if you use other tools such as System Policy Editor to control the restrictions and don't want Folder Guard to interfere with such tools.

Enabling the protection automatically after a period of inactivity

You can use the Re-enable protection after screen saver is active option of Folder Guard to make the protection enabled automatically after a period of user inactivity.

First, configure your computer to display a screensaver (it does not matter which screensaver you choose, any one will do). You can use the Control Panel - Display - Screen Saver command of Windows to set up the screensaver.

Second, run Folder Guard, choose File - Settings from the menu, select the Protection page, and check the Re-enable protection after screen saver is active for ... seconds option. (Note that in order to select this option, you must also select the Enable protection at Windows startup option first.)

Finally, if the Enable protection at Windows startup option was not in effect before, restart the computer for the new settings to take effect.

To test the configuration, first disable the protection or unlock a folder protected with an unlocking password. Then don't move the mouse and don't press any key until the screen saver comes up. If you entered 0 as the number of minutes when configuring the Re-enable protection after screen saver is active option, then the protection should be enabled back right when the screensaver starts to work. Otherwise, wait for the number of minutes you have previously entered in the Re-enable protection after screen saver is active box. Move the mouse to dismiss the screensaver, and the protection should be enabled now, and all previously unlocked fodlers should be locked again. If you dismiss the screensaver before the additional delay passed, the protection should remain disabled.