WinPCGuard

WinPCGuard Help

Client update and configuration

You can update clients in two ways:

1. update all clients at the same time; the clients will have the same configuration
2. update selected clients individually; you can set a different configuration for clients

Update clients - this button updates all connected clients, and at the same time saves the main configuration that was sent to them. This main configuration will be used for automatic client updates. If you want clients to automatically receive this configuration, you must enable it in Settings - for the server and for individual clients. Clients will receive the main configuration each time they connect to the server version of WinPCGuard. The main configuration is saved even if no clients are connected.

Load main configuration - as stated above, clients are updated using the saved main configuration. If you want to see their current configuration, click this button - WinPCGuard will load this configuration. You can review it, modify it if needed, and then perform the update.

Update selected clients - this button updates the selected clients and saves their configuration at the same time. Use this if you want to set a different configuration for clients than the main configuration. Do not forget to disable automatic updates for these clients in Settings, otherwise they will receive the main configuration.

Load configuration - loads the configuration of the selected client. The button is active if the selected client has a saved configuration. You can load the configuration for only one client at a time.

Show desktop

Double-click a client in the list of connected clients to display that client’s desktop. You can also display it by selecting the client and pressing the Show desktop button. You can enlarge the Clients window to full screen so that you can see a larger part of the client’s desktop. Double-click the client desktop image to switch the display resolution - from reduced size to 100 percent size and back. Using the key F switches the resolution to the full monitor area.

Allow / Block internet

This block remains active even after the user logs off. You must allow the internet again using this option, or a manual update will change this state.

Search for computers on the network

This function is used to search for computers on the network where WinPCGuard is running. Computers found this way can be connected to the current server.

Taking over is possible in two ways:
temporary takeover - after WinPCGuard is started again, it will be in the same state as before the takeover
permanent takeover - WinPCGuard will always connect to the computer that took it over

After taking over a client, this fact will be indicated by a message in the settings about redirection.
At this moment, the settings do not show the correct network settings! They will be restored after WinPCGuard is started again.

Server - client settings

WinPCGuard must be installed on all computers that you want to control. It can run as a client, server, or independently without network communication. If you have multiple computers on the network, set WinPCGuard as the server on one computer and as a client on the others. No physical server is required on the network! Using the server, you can change client settings. You can also create multiple servers and connect a certain number of clients to them. This allows you to create multiple groups that you will control through the respective servers. By default, the port is set to 11111. You can change it in the range from 1025 to 60000 if it is already used by another application (the system will display an error message, or WinPCGuard will not work correctly). The server and its clients must be on the same network, i.e. there must be a connection between them. After changing network parameters, a computer restart may be required. Network communication may sometimes not work correctly.

WinPCGuard as server

The IP address of this computer will be displayed in red in Settings. You must enter this address on each client so that it can successfully establish a connection to the server. In the settings, you can view the current number of clients connected to the server at any time. If the computer has multiple active network connections, the displayed IP address will blink, and other IP addresses will be hidden underneath it. Using the server, you can update clients connected to the server.

You can also connect clients in a simpler way. See the section Search for computers on the network.

WinPCGuard as client

Enter the IP address of the computer where WinPCGuard is running as a server into the fields. The client port must be the same as the server port. The client waits for commands sent by the server.

When a connection to the server is established, a confirmation message will be displayed in Settings indicating that the client is connected to the server.

Activate WinPCGuard

This option allows you to change multiple WinPCGuard settings with one button. You can activate or deactivate selected restrictions in the Restrictions and Security menus. When WinPCGuard is deactivated, these options become unavailable.

Do not show icon

If you do not want the WinPCGuard icon to be visible on the taskbar, enable this option. WinPCGuard will run hidden in the background. To display the program, use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + ALT + S.

Automatic update

WinPCGuard in server mode:

Enabling this option will automatically update clients according to the last main configuration, not according to the current WinPCGuard settings. The main configuration is saved when you press the Update clients button in the Clients section, where you can also find more detailed information about updates. The update is sent after the client connects. This allows you to set the configuration even on computers that are not currently turned on.

WinPCGuard in client mode:

Enabling this option will make the client receive the main configuration delivered by the server when it starts. If you want to configure some clients separately, this option must not be enabled, otherwise the client would receive the main configuration.

Prevent termination

This prevents the user from terminating WinPCGuard through Task Manager.

Passwords

Main password

Access to all WinPCGuard functions. If the main password is not set, access to the Clients window is also available without a password, even if this is configured. If you enter the old password when changing the password and do not enter a new password, the password will be deleted.

Password for the Clients window

Limited access to the program, only to the Clients window, where configuration options will not be available. This prevents users from making changes to the program settings. The password must be set if the main password is entered. If you do not enter anything when changing this password, the old password will be deleted.

Password for taking over a client

You must set this password in every WinPCGuard program if you want to take over clients on the network to another server.

Log file

Log file - records what was actually blocked.

Users

In this part of WinPCGuard, you can separately configure individual restrictions for user groups. Each group can have different settings.

To make orientation easier, functions that can be assigned separately to individual groups are highlighted in olive color.

The content of filters (except the internet filter) and the time schedule is the same for everyone, and cannot be configured separately.

When WinPCGuard is started for the first time, the Default group is created. Individual restrictions will be controlled according to this group unless the currently logged-in user is defined in another group. If you do not want to define different settings for users, then this part of the program will not be relevant to you. All restrictions are configured directly through the main program window.

If you want to define different restrictions for individual users, you must first create groups and assign users to the groups. You can define different restrictions for each group. When adding a user to a group, the relevant group must be selected.

Assigning restrictions to groups

Select a group - the current restrictions will be loaded and you can then modify them.

Keyboard shortcuts used

CTRL + ALT + S - access to the WinPCGuard program

CTRL + ALT + K - access to the Clients window

You can also access the Clients window by pressing the keyboard shortcut CTRL + ALT + K, without the option to update, configure clients, search for computers on the network, or remotely install the program.

WinPCGuard must be set as a server.

Usage and registration

You can use WinPCGuard free of charge for 30 days from installation without any restrictions. After this period expires, you will be notified that the free usage period has expired. If you want to continue using it, you must register on the website www.winpcguard.com. After registration and payment of the relevant amount, we will send you the registration details.

Registration details are entered in the Program information section. If you use WinPCGuard network functions, connect the clients to the server. Then enter the registration details on the server; the clients will be registered automatically.