Upgrade from Version 6, 7, 8, 10 or 11 to Version 12.32

Existing Secure Desktop customers with version 6.xx, 7.xx, 8.xx, 10.xx or 11.xx can upgrade to 12.32 by contacting Visual Automation with your existing serial number. The part number is SDU-12-001 and is priced at $150.00 US, per unit.

Buy Upgrade Now

Please provide your existing Secure Desktop license numbers when placing an upgrade order.

Upgrade from Version 12.xx to 12.32

https://visualautomation.com/download/sdup1232.zip (27M)

New Features for 12.32

  • Tested in Windows 11, Version 24H2 (LTSC)
  • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

New Features for 12.31

  • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab | Browse for Base Folder ... button
    • Added a warning when choosing a folder that may not be accessible by all users of the Secure Desktop shell
    • The Secure Desktop shell will now display an error when loading configuration if this folder path does not exist for the currently logged in user

New Features for 12.30

  • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab
    • Answer No to Confirm Save As Dialog if it is the topmost window checkbox
    • Added text field for this checkbox to specify the title text of this Confirm Save As dialog
    • Default is 'Confirm Save As', Default button will do this
    • Can be edited if using a version of Windows for non-English language
  • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Startup..Shutdown tab
    • Text within the Shut Down Dialog can now be modified
    • Tab text, Shut Down question text, Restart question text and Log Off Text
    • Default button can set values back to default
    • Can be edited if using a version of Windows for non-English language
  • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Manage button | Import and Export tab
    • Previous Import and Export tabs have been merged into one tab named Import/Export
    • The file filter for the list of files is now either
    • 'Secure Desktop *HKLM*.txt' for Default settings or
    • 'Secure Desktop *HKCU*.txt' for user settings
    • More button added to show a longer list of backed up files
  • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

New Features for 12.20

  • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Icon tab
    • Added checkbox to show battery status in the 2nd pane of the status bar
    • Battery status is only displayed when "not" in Supervisor mode
  • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Icon button | Tab 0 - 9
    • Unconfigured icons are labeled Icon 0, Icon 1, etc. instead of Icon 1, Icon 2, etc.
    • Start icons are now labeled Start Icon 0, Start Icon 1, etc.
  • Administrative Template
    • sdesktop.admx and sdesktop.adml have been modified
    • These files are now generated by internal code, they were previously hand built
    • Small changes are Window Wizard variable names in sdesktop.admx:
      • Action -> WWAction
      • WindowID -> WWWindowID
      • Classname -> WWClassname
      • MinMax -> WWMinMax
      • DeleteMenu -> WWDeleteMenu
    • Several keyboard shortcut descriptions were changed in sdesktop.adml
      • Keyboard shortcut descriptions are the same as Secure Desktop Tools
    • A new "setting" was added, SecureDesktopVersion1220, to indicate the version of sdesktop.admx & sdesktop.adml files
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Key..Mouse..Function and A..Z 0..9 tabs
      • Much of the help text for individual keyboard shortcuts has been updated and improved

New Features for 12.15

  • New Features for Secure Utilities 12.10
    • Added sRes Resolution utility, named sRes.exe
      • This utility changes the resolution of a display, specified by command-line parameters
    • Specify Display Index, Pixel Width and Pixel Height
    • Optionally choose to save the settings to the registry
  • Improved message dialogs throughout
  • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab |
    Disable File Editing Features in File Open, Browse and File Save As Dialogs checkbox
  • Shift + Backspace has been added to the list of keyboard shortcuts that are disabled
  • Recommended upgrade if using this feature

    • New Features for 12.10

    • Secure Desktop Tools | Windows Shell tab | user section
      • Instead of setting the user shell in
        HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersions\Policies\System\Shell
      • The user shell is now set in
        HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersions\Winlogon\Shell
      • With this change, the user no longer needs to be an Admin to set/clear the user shell

    New Features for 12.00

    • Configuration Data Stored in Registry Rather Than sdesktop.xml file
      • Default settings are located in
        • HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Visual Automation\Secure Desktop
      • User settings are located in
        • HKey_Current_User\Software\Visual Automation\Secure Desktop
      • sdesktop.xml configuration data can be imported
      • The Secure Desktop Shell reads new configuration data dynamically, rather than on boot up
      • Administrative Templates sDesktop.admx and sDesktop.adml are included for Policy settings
    • New User Interface Enhancements
      • Help memos are now to the right of the current dialog
      • Simply click on the Help button in any dialog to show the help memo on the right side
      • Click on the Hide button to close it
      • Many dialogs have Close button rather than Ok Cancel buttons
      • Configuration data is stored immediately on change
      • Close button initiates data backup
      • Close button signals Secure Desktop shell to re-load configuration data
      • More friendly user name used throughout UI
    • New Secure Utilities version 12.00 with similar new user interface enhancements
    • Changes in Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Icon button
      • Importing a desktop icon is greatly enhanced, providing more locations to pick from
      • Similarly, choosing a different icon also provides more locations
      • Deprecated ability to drop a file on the dialog (drag & drop)
      • Passwords are now stored using a hashing algorithm
        • Passwords are not imported from sdesktop.xml
    • Changes in Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button
      • Deprecated 3 Auto-Close Help Windows checkboxes
      • Combined Key..Mouse and F1..F12 tabs into one Key..Mouse..Function tab
      • Added Windows Keyboard Shortcuts that can be disabled
        • Page Up and Page Down
        • Alt + Page Up and Alt + Page Down
        • Right Arrow and Left Arrow
        • Ctrl + Right Arrow and Ctrl + Left Arrow
        • Shift + Right Arrow and Shift + Left Arrow
        • Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow and Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow
        • Ctrl + Down Arrow and Ctrl + Up Arrow
        • Shift + Down Arrow and Shift + Up Arrow
        • Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow and Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow
        • Ctrl + Home and Ctrl + End
      • Combined Startup and Shutdown tabs into one Startup..Shutdown tab
      • Deprecated Show Minimized Windows at the Bottom of the Screen checkbox
    • Changes in Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Audit tab
      • Secure Desktop no longer saves audit data to XML files
      • New Audit files are stored as CSV files (Comma-Separated Values)
      • i.e. C:\ProgramData\VisualAutomation\SecureDesktop\sAudit CSV Fri 02 Jun 2023 UT.csv
      • CSV files may be opened by Excel or other CSV compatible applications
      • sAudit.exe has been re-written to view Secure Desktop's CSV Audit files
      • Audit data may also be stored in the Event Log, which can be viewed by the Event Viewer
      • Event Viewer | Event Viewer (Local) | Windows Logs | Applications
    • Changes in Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Window button
      • Deprecated Close A Program During Shutdown radio button
      • Deprecated using menu as a way to identify a Window
      • Added option for matching Class Name to identify a Window
      • Added option for presence of Min/Max buttons to identify a Window
    • Changes in Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Setting button
      • Combined Task Manager, Mobility Center, and Internet Explorer tabs into Auto Close tab
    • Changes in Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button
      • Combined Run, Internet Options, File Properties, and Popup Menu tabs into Auto Close tab
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Default pull-down | Super button
      • Super button moved from Windows Shell tab to Secure Desktop tab
      • Supervisor Mode and When Logged In tabs combined into one Supervisor Mode tab
      • Added option for matching Class Name to identify a Window
      • Added option for presence of Min/Max buttons to identify a Window
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Manage button
      • Completely new to work with new Secure Desktop configuration in the Windows Registry
      • Import/Export tab
        • Import, Export or Delete configuration data for Default or current user
      • Copy/Delete tab
        • Copy configuration data from Default user to current user
        • Delete Default or current user configuration data
      • Import sdesktop.xml tab
        • Only visible if C:\ProgramData\VisualAutomation\SecureDesktop\sdesktop.xml exists
        • Choose Default or user from sdesktop.xml
        • Import to either Default or current user in the Windows Registry
    • Deprecated ability to launch Internet Explorer
    • Secure Desktop launches Classic Windows applications (CWA) Only
      • A Classic Windows application uses the Classic Windows Platform (CWP) (e.g., COM, Win32, WPF, WinForms, etc.)
      • A Universal Windows app is built on the Universal Windows Platform (UWP)
        • The UWP requires the Explorer shell on Windows 10 or 11
        • Secure Desktop provides security by replacing the Explorer shell
        • Universal Windows apps (UWA) are not supported
    • Tested on Microsoft Surface Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro X

    Upgrade from Version 11.xx to 11.94

    https://visualautomation.com/download/sdup1194.zip (27M)

    New Features for 11.94

    • Tested in Windows 11, Version 24H2 (LTSC)
    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    Changes for 11.93

    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    New Features for 11.92

    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab |
      Disable File Editing Features in File Open, Browse and File Save As Dialogs checkbox
    • Shift + Backspace has been added to the list of keyboard shortcuts that are disabled
    • Recommended upgrade if using this feature

    Changes for 11.91

    • Fixed a small disply issue introduced in version 11.90
    • Recommend upgrading to 11.91 if using 11.90

    New Features for 11.90

    • Secure Desktop Tools | Windows Shell tab | user section
      • Instead of setting the user shell in
        HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersions\Policies\System\Shell
      • The user shell is now set in
        HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersions\Winlogon\Shell
      • With this change, the user no longer needs to be an Admin to set/clear the user shell

    New Features for 11.81

    • Serial Number and Copyright update

    New Features for 11.80

    • Tested in Windows 11, Version 23H2
    • Serial Number update
    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    New Features for 11.79

    • Added Shift + Down Arrow and Shift + Up Arrow to the list of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts that can be disabled
    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    New Features for 11.78

    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Startup tab
      • Added checkbox labeled "Show Minimized Windows at the Bottom of the Screen"
      • The Secure Desktop Wallpaper was covering up the minimized windows
      • This checkbox will provide a 100 pixel gap so that minimized windows are viewed and interactive

    Changes for 11.77

    • Secure Desktop Tools | Windows Shell tab
      • The Explorer and Secure Desktop buttons are toolbar buttons
      • The toolbar has been expanded in size to try to correct a display issue reported by customers
      • Most customers will not see a visual change
    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    Changes for 11.76

    • Serial Number and Copyright update
    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    New Features for 11.75

    • Tested in Windows 10 October 2022 Update, Version 22H2
    • Updated Secure Utilities to 11.65
    • Re-compiled with new version of compilers
    • Made small change to autoclose the new tabbed File Explorer in Windows 11 22H2

    New Features for 11.74

    • Tested in Windows 11, Version 22H2

    New Features for 11.73

    • C:\Program Files (x86)\Secure Desktop 11\sAdmin.exe /Shell sDesktop
    • C:\Program Files (x86)\Secure Desktop 11\sAdmin.exe /Shell Explorer
    • These are the same command-line switches that are called from:
      Secure Desktop Tools | Windows Shell tab | [All Users] section
    • Now slightly modified
      • Setting sDesktop or Explorer only sets the shell registry value if not already set to respective shell
    • Now optional 3rd parameter LogOff
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Secure Desktop 11\sAdmin.exe /Shell sDesktop LogOff
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Secure Desktop 11\sAdmin.exe /Shell Explorer LogOff
      • If LogOff command-line parameter is used, a Forced LogOff is executed immediately after setting the shell
      • There is no prompt to the user: the shell is set and the user is logged off

    New Features for 11.72

    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler
    • Updated Secure Utilities to version 11.60

    New Features for Secure Utilities 11.60

    • Added new registry setting checkbox to disable Default app dialog
    • When you install a new app that can open a file type that already has a default app association, a dialog will be displayed named "How do you want to open this file?" when launching the file
    • This registry setting disables this behavior
      • Secure Utilities | Administrator tab | [All Users] section | Default button | Default App tab
      • Disable Dialog - How do you want to open this file? checkbox
      • This checkbox sets registry value:
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\NoNewAppAlert
    • Added new registry setting checkbox to disable the Lock Screen
      • Secure Utilities | Administrator tab | [All Users] section | Logon button | Lock Screen tab
      • Disable Lock Screen checkbox
      • This checkbox sets registry value:
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization\NoLockScreen
    • Improved sLogOff screen saver user interface

    New Features for 11.71

    • Added two checkboxes to Secure Desktop Tools | Windows Shell tab | Supervisor button | When Logged In tab
      • Disable Setting and Disable Dialog checkboxes
      • Just as you can temporarily disable the Window Wizard when Logged In
      • Configurations within Setting and Dialog can also be temporarily disabled
    • A false "File Not Found" error was created in sWall in version 11.70, this has been fixed
    • Removed the icon from Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Autostart tab
      • This improves the tab display in Windows 10
    • Fixed a display issue with toolbar buttons in the Secure Desktop shell application, in Windows 10

    New Features for 11.70

    • Window Wizard has new feature to send a key to a message window
    • Send the Enter key (Ok or default button)
    • Send the Esc key (Cancel button)
    • Send Alt + N (No button)
    • Send Alt + Y (Yes button)
    • Send Alt + A (Abort or Yes to All button)
    • Send Alt + R (Retry button)
    • Send Alt + I (Ignore button)
    • Send Alt + O (No to All button)
    • Send Alt + H (Help button)
    • Window Wizard detects a message window as a window with no Min or Max buttons in the upper right corner
    • sWall (wallpaper) folder path will now expand environment variables, such as %username%
    • Environment variable expansion has also been added to sCopy, sExplore, sImage, and sNote in Secure Utilities 11.56

    New Features for 11.65

    • Added new tab named Administrator to Supervisor dialog
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Windows Shell tab | Supervisor button | Administrator tab
      • Require Run As Administrator to launch Secure Desktop Tools
      • Run As Administrator is automatically applied when launching Secure Desktop Tools from Tools toolbar button
      • When launching sTools.exe from the Start Menu or File Explorer or elsewhere, Run As Administrator is required
    • Enhanced automatic Registry Export feature
      • Previous to this version, the registry export was saved to a specific file name
      • In 11.65 and later, the file name contains the user name and the date/time
      • Secure Utilities 11.55 Registry Export has this enhancement also
    • Re-compiled with new versions of compiler
      • Secure Desktop EXE files are now more secure
      • Secure Utilities 11.55 has this enhancement also

    New Features for 11.60

    • Added new tab named Autostart to Options
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Autostart tab
      • List of registry entries are automatically started by the Explorer shell for currently logged in user or the machine
      • Checked registry entries will be started by Secure Desktop when started as the Windows shell
        • Checked registry entries are started when the registry key name is exactly the same as when Autostart was configured
        • If the registry key name is the exact same for the first several letters of MicrosoftEdgeAutoLaunch in the registry as it was when Autostart was configured
    • Enhanced Audit feature as follows:
      • Any application started by Secure Desktop, or failing to start, is now logged to the audit file
        • This information specifies the application and application parameters
      • Several more error messages are now logged to the audit file
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Shutdown tab
      • Can now set the default option in the Shut Down Dialog
    • Added error messages for a failure of file folder creation

    New Features for 11.51

    • Tested in Windows 10 November 2021 Update, Version 21H2
    • Copyright update

    New Features for 11.50

    • Windows 11 support
      • New Segoe UI Variable Text font
      • Fully tested in Windows 11
      • Windows version information updated
    • New Keyboard Shortcuts Added
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Option button | A..Z 0..9 tab
      • Disable [ ] . ' without any Ctrl, Shift and Alt Modifiers
      • Disable Shift + [ ] . '
      • Disable Shift + 0..9
      • Disable - = \ ; , / ` with any combination of Ctrl, Shift and Alt Modifiers
      • This new functionality may prevent the input of invalid characters
    • Read-Only text fields now have border
    • Info dialog slightly re-designed
    • Fixed Icon import issue with 64-bit Win32 applications
    • Fixed More button issue with different monitor display resolutions

    New Features for 11.30

    • Windows Server 2022 support

    Changes for 11.22

    • Fixed an issue within Secure Utilities
      • Fixed an issue with sExplore.exe
      • Recommended update if using the sExplore.exe utility

    New Features for 11.21

    • Secure Desktop Yes/No Dialogs now default to the No button, rather than Yes
    • Secure Desktop 11.20 had a file version issue that have been corrected
      • This is a recommended upgrade if using Secure Desktop 11.20
    • Tested in Windows 10 May 2021 Update, Version 21H1

    New Features for 11.20

    • Added feature to answer No to a Confirm Save As Dialog
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab
    • Fixed a small bug introduced in version 11.15, recommended update if using 11.15

    New Features for 11.15

    • Improved fonts throughout Secure Desktop
    • Created solution for user that needs "all access"
      • Secure Desktop had a feature for Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8
      • Start Explorer in Addition to Secure Desktop (Current User) checkbox
      • This feature was removed due to architecture changes in Windows 10
      • New utility added to Secure Utilities 11.30
        • Added sMenu Start Menu utility, named sMenu.exe
          • This utility displays most or all Start Menu and Desktop shortcut icons for the currently logged in user
          • Launch sMenu.exe from Secure Desktop to provide "all access" for a user
        • Secure Utilities 11.30 included with Secure Desktop 11.15
      • Improved the Base Folder feature for File Open/Save As Dialogs
        • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab | Set Base Folder for all File Open, Browse and File Save As Dialogs
        • This is a recommended update if using this feature

    New Features for 11.14

    • Added mouse click option for tray icons
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Icon tab | Disable Mouse Click for Tray Icons checkbox
      • Mouse click option for the tray icons were removed in 11.00, now available again

    New Features for 11.13

    • Changed installation script to record the installation folder in the registry
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Icon button | Icon button | bottom row of icons
      • The currently saved icon index should have been highlighted when the Icon dialog was displayed
      • This has been fixed
    • Re-compiled with new versions of compilers

    Changes for 11.12

    • Serial Number and Copyright update

    Changes for 11.11

    • Tested in Windows 10 November 2020 Update, Version 20H2
    • Fixed an issue in older versions of Windows 10
      • Detected 32-bit versus 64-bit Windows incorrectly
      • This affected any registry setting
      • Recommended update for all customers

    New Features for 11.10

    • Added Disable Clipboard Feature
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Icon tab | checkbox list | Disable Clipboard checkbox
    • Added Shell Switch feature to sAdmin.exe
      • Configure icon in Secure Desktop Tools with command field set to:
        • C:\Program Files (x86)\Secure Desktop 11\sAdmin.exe /Shell Switch
      • Check the Run As Administrator checkbox for this icon
      • When the user clicks on this icon:
        • The user will first see a UAC prompt (Administrator privileges are necessary)
        • The user will be asked if they want to switch the shell from Secure Desktop to Explorer
        • Or from Explorer to Secure Desktop
        • Finally, the user will be asked if they want to logoff from Windows
    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    Changes for 11.03

    • Fixed small installation scripting problem with installing Secure Utilities

    Changes for 11.02

    • Small problem with sdesktop.dll fixed, introduced in version 11.01
      • If using 11.01, please upgrade to version 11.02
    • Tested in Windows 10 May 2020 Update, Version 2004

    Changes for 11.01

    • Version 11.00 of Secure Desktop was not compatible with the first build of Windows 10
    • This has been corrected

    New Features for 11.00

    • Removed legacy Windows support
      • Window 10, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019 support only
      • New support for Windows 10 on ARM using X86 emulation
      • No support for Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10 in S Mode
      • Secure Desktop 10 is available for purchase to support legacy Windows
        • Secure Desktop 10 will receive fixes as needed, but no new features
    • Removed Internet Explorer specific features
      • Secure Desktop 10 is available for purchase to support the legacy browser Internet Explorer
      • Classic Windows Platform Browsers (New Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Brave, Firefox, Opera) can be launched
      • UWP Browsers (Old Microsoft Edge) can not be launched
      • Removed Internet Explorer URLs and system-wide keystrokes from Audit feature
    • New Secure Utilities 11
      • Secure Utilities is a new package of utilities
        • This is version 11 because some of these utilities have shipped in previous versions of Secure Desktop
        • Secure Utilities is available as it's own package
        • Secure Utilities 11 is included with Secure Desktop 11
      • Window 10, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019 support only
      • Secure Desktop utilities such as sExplore, sCopy, sNote and sLogOff are now packaged into Secure Utilities
      • New utilities include a new sControl, sEject and sRun
        • New sControl launches the system Control Panel dialog
        • New sEject launches the system Eject Device dialog
        • New sRun launches the system Run dialog
        • New sUtility provides utility help and registry setting utilities
          • Secure Desktop Tools Administrator tab Logon and Drives functionality now part of Secure Utilities (sUtility.exe)
        • Removed Timed and Shutdown tabs from Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Icon button
          • Please consider using the Windows Task Scheduler for timed application starts
        • Small visual improvements throughout
        • Removed ability to disable 'Alt' keystroke by itself
        • Removed ability to disable the Left Mouse button
        • Removed feature to Set Shell to Explorer for [All Users] and Log Off
          • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Shutdown tab
        • Removed mouse click option for tray icons
          • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Icon tab | Disable Mouse Click for Tray Icons checkbox
          • Mouse clicks are always disabled for the tray icons
        • Removed Disk and Memory monitor features from Secure Desktop shell status bar and audit feature
        • Data in sAudit RSS XML files is arranged differently than Secure Desktop 10 and earlier
        • Secure Desktop Tools - Secure Desktop tab - Dialog button - Console tab
          • Added the ability to auto close Windows Terminal if it is the topmost window
    • User Interface Improvements
      • Secure Desktop and Secure Utilities are now DPI Aware (Dots Per Inch)
        • Icons and images within applications look better on high resolution monitors
      • Removed On Screen Keyboard buttons
      • Removed Control Panel, Eject Device and Program Run toolbar buttons
        • New Secure Utilities applications can be launched as regular applications instead
    • Configuration file sdesktop.xml compatible
      • Secure Desktop 11 is file configuration compatible with Secure Desktop 7, 8 and 10 for all retained functionality
    • Secure Desktop launches Classic Windows applications (CWA) Only
      • A Classic Windows application uses the Classic Windows Platform (CWP) (e.g., COM, Win32, WPF, WinForms, etc.)
      • A Universal Windows app is built on the Universal Windows Platform (UWP)
        • The UWP requires the Explorer shell on Windows 10
        • Secure Desktop provides security by replacing the Explorer shell
        • Universal Windows apps (UWA) are not supported
    • Tested on Microsoft Surface Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro X

    Upgrade from Version 10.xx to 10.99.12

    https://visualautomation.com/download/sup1099C.exe (14M)

    New Features for 10.99.12

    • Changed the API used to display Free Memory in the Status bar of the Secure Desktop shell
    • Previously used the API GlobalMemoryStatus, now using API GlobalMemoryStatusEx
    • If Free Memory was not displayed correctly in previous versions, it should display correctly now

    New Features for 10.99.11

    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab |
      Disable File Editing Features in File Open, Browse and File Save As Dialogs checkbox
    • Shift + Backspace has been added to the list of keyboard shortcuts that are disabled
    • Recommended upgrade if using this feature

    New Features for 10.99.10

    • In Windows 10 Only
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Windows Shell tab | user section
      • Instead of setting the user shell in
        HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersions\Policies\System\Shell
      • The user shell is now set in
        HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersions\Winlogon\Shell
      • With this change, the user no longer needs to be an Admin to set/clear the user shell

    Changes for 10.99.04

    • Serial Number and Copyright update

    Changes for 10.99.03

    • Improved the Base Folder feature for File Open/Save As Dialogs
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab | Set Base Folder for all File Open, Browse and File Save As Dialogs
      • This is a recommended update if using this feature

    Changes for 10.99.02

    • Serial Number and Copyright update
    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    New Features for 10.99.01

    • Tested in Windows 10 October 2022 Update, Version 22H2

    Changes for 10.99

    • Serial Number update

    Changes for 10.98

    • Added error messages for a failure of file folder creation

    New Features for 10.97

    • Tested in Windows 10 November 2021 Update, Version 21H2
    • Fixed Icon import issue with 64-bit Win32 applications
    • Fixed an issue with sExplore.exe
      • Recommended update if using the sExplore.exe utility
    • Copyright update

    Changes for 10.96

    • Re-compiled with new versions of compiler
    • Serial Number update
    • Secure Desktop 10 is not designed or tested for Windows Server 2022
    • Secure Desktop 10 is not designed or tested for Windows 11

    Changes for 10.95

    • Improved the Base Folder feature for File Open/Save As Dialogs
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab | Set Base Folder for all File Open, Browse and File Save As Dialogs
      • This is a recommended update if using this feature

    Changes for 10.94

    • Re-compiled with new versions of compilers

    Changes for 10.93

    • Serial Number and Copyright update

    Changes for 10.92

    • Tested in Windows 10 October 2020 Update, Version 20H2
    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    Changes for 10.91

    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    Changes for 10.90

    • Tested in Windows 10 May 2020 Update, Version 2004

    Changes for 10.89

    • Fixed an error related to the clipboard in Secure Desktop Tools
    • Small change related to clicking on the keyboard button in the Password dialog in Secure Desktop Shell

    Changes for 10.88

    • This is a recommended update if using features:
      • Disable Right Mouse button
      • Auditing
    • Fixed problem with disabling right mouse clicks and other mouse buttons
    • Small changes made to Tray Icon Notification area
    • Fixed small problem with clipboard copy/paste functionality
    • Fixed a problem with the Audit feature
      • An sAudit XML file could become corrupted if the power to the computer is interrupted during a "write" operation
      • Now, when an sAudit XML file has an error, it is renamed as possibly corrupt
      • A new sAudit XML file is created and the audit function is resumed
    • Added a feature to Dialog
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | Popup Menu tab | Close Popup Menus with Class Name #32768 when Visible checkbox
        • If checked, Secure Desktop sends an Escape key to the menu, so that it immediately closes.
        • This is for context menus (right mouse button) and also classic menus, such as click on File in Notepad and other older applications.
    • Added a feature to Settings
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Setting button | File Explorer tab
        • Added ability to close windows with class name of NativeHWNDHost if top most
        • This will close windows such as Map Network Drive and Add Network Location
    • Fixed a problem:
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Administrator tab | Supervisor button | Calculation Passwords tab
      • If there is no PIN number and any of the checkboxes are checked, an error message will appear when clicking OK
      • User should not be able to append calculation passwords with no PIN specified
      • If a no PIN situation exists in an existing configuration, the Secure Desktop Shell will not append a calculation to passwords
    • Windows Shell tab All Users section field was not read-only
    • Safe Mode tab All Users section field was not read-only
    • USB tab All Users section field was not read-only
    • Secure Desktop shell tabs defaulted to the name Group 0, etc. Changed to Tab 0, etc.
    • Secure Desktop shell error messages now have the same title as the Secure Desktop shell
    • Fixed a problem with:
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Icon tab | Hide the Tab Bar if only the First Tab is Enabled checkbox
    • The Use Default Settings checkbox in Secure Desktop Tools was sometimes not properly hiding/showing checkbox based on Default user selection
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab | Disable File Editing Features in File Open, Browse and File Save As Dialogs checkbox
      • Fixed an issue with disabling the right mouse button when dialog was not yet on top
      • Fixed an issue with disabling search in newer versions of Windows 10

    Changes for 10.87

    • Administrator tab All Users section field was not read-only
    • Help text for All Users Logon dialog had incorrect font
    • Fixed small enable/disable issue in Windows Shell tab
    • Re-compiled in new version of compiler

    Changes for 10.86

    • Fixed a small problem with dragging a shortcut into Secure Desktop Tools
      • Introduced in version 10.85
      • Recommended upgrade if using Secure Desktop 10.85
    • Re-compiled in new version of compiler

    New Features for 10.85

    • Tested in Windows Server 2019
    • Tested in Windows 10 Version 1903 and 1909
    • Re-compiled with new version of compilers
    • Fixed a small bug with Audit with Enter key forcing a keystroke log

    Changes for 10.84

    • Improved the File Open/ Save As Base Folder feature
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab | Set Base Folder checkbox
      • Improvement should eliminate crash that some customers reported
      • Recommended update if using this feature

    New Features for 10.82

    • Removed use of Delete key in several Secure Desktop file utilities
      • sCopy, sExplore and sNote
      • Other Default Key Handling removed also

    New Features for 10.81

    • Enhanced sExplore.exe
      • Now there are 2 panes with a splitter in between
      • Left pane is a tree view of folders
      • Right pane is the list view of files and folders
    • Fixed a copy/paste error in sTools regarding the Run As Administrator checkbox
    • Fixed a small problem with the new sCopy utility
    • Fixed a problem with Exit toolbar button when clicking the No button
      • Recommended upgrade if using version 10.71 or later
    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    New Features for 10.80

    • New sCopy.exe utility
      • Securely provide a method for a user to copy data files
      • Simply specify a source folder, destination folder and wildcard filters via command-line
      • User can not navigate up from folders, but can navigate to sub-folders
      • User is prompted if data file to be copied already exists in destination folder
    • Minor changes made to sDesktop.dll
    • Re-compiled with new version of compilers

    Changes for 10.77

    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler
    • Tested in Windows 10 Version 1809

    New Features for 10.76

    • Can now configure warning message in the Secure Desktop Auto Logoff screen saver
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Administrator tab | [user section] | Logon button | Auto Logoff tab
    • New End User License Agreement built into the install program. Please read before Secure Desktop installation

    Changes for 10.75

    • Windows 10 update changed the on screen keyboard
    • The onscreen keyboard button in Secure Desktop stopped working because of this Windows 10 update
    • In Windows 10, Secure Desktop now launches the older on screen keyboard (osk.exe)
    • In Windows 10 64-bit, this is accomplished using a new Secure Desktop file named sKey64.exe

    Changes for 10.74

    • Fixed a problem with the Always-On-Bottom setting when used with Wallpaper
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Icon tab | Secure Desktop Window pull-down
      • When this was set to Always-On-Bottom with this checked:
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Startup tab | Display Wallpaper when Secure Desktop is the Shell checkbox
      • A flickering of the Secure Desktop shell window would happen
      • The Secure Desktop shell window and the Wallpaper were fighting for the bottom of the z-order
      • This has been fixed.

    Changes for 10.73

    • Fixed small problem with Window Wizard
      • If matching a window title did not contain a '-', but Before or After dash was selected
      • Window match would potentially fail
      • This has been corrected
      • And the user interface will now prevent that configuration

    New Features for 10.72

    • Added new command-line parameters to sva1072 setup for silent install
      • /USERNAME="User Name String"
      • /ORGNAME="Company Name String"

    Changes for 10.71

    • In rare cases, the right mouse button was enabled when it was configured to be disabled
    • This happened when a delay was set for icons in the Startup tab
    • All delays in Secure Desktop have been improved, including:
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Icon button | Startup tab
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Icon button | Shutdown tab
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Window button | Close A Program During Shutdown radio button
    • Fixed a problem related to disabling the Alt key that caused problems with the keyboard and mouse
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Key..Mouse tab | left checkbox list | Alt checkbox

    New Features for 10.70

    • Tested in Windows 10 Version 1803
    • Secure Desktop Tools | USB tab
      • Added Local Group Policy Editor button when in Windows 7 or 8
      • This is a 2nd method as an alternate to the existing method for Windows 7 or 8
      • Windows XP has the original method only
      • Windows 10 has the 2nd method only
    • Added option to disable the Keyboard button in the Password dialog
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Icon tab | checkbox list
    • Fixed a problem with the Keyboard button in the Password dialog in Windows 10
    • Added a feature to Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Setting button
      • Added new tab named Internet Explorer
      • If checkbox is checked, Secure Desktop will close any window with IEFrame class (Internet Explorer)
    • Added a read-only field to the Secure Desktop shell Info dialog to show the full path to sdesktop.xml

    Changes for 10.69

    • Disable File Editing Features in File Open, Browse and File Save As Dialogs
      • Fixed a problem with disabling the Address Bar
      • Recommended upgrade if using this feature

    New Features for 10.68

    • Added a new feature to Disable File Editing Features in File Open, Browse and File Save As Dialogs
      • Now a Base Folder can be set for all File Open, Browse and Save As Dialogs in Windows 7, 8 or 10
      • When a new dialog is opened, the Base Folder is presented
      • The user can navigate to sub-folders, but not above the Base Folder
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab
    • Also, fixed small bug with Set Shell to Explorer for [All Users] and Log Off checkbox
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Shutdown tab
    • This is a recommended update if using either feature

    New Features for 10.67

    • The included sExplore.exe and sNote.exe utilities now have a 3rd file view option
    • In addition to Small and Large Icons, there is now a Detail view
    • This presents the files/folders in a spreadsheet type of view
    • The 4 columns are Name, Size, Item type and Date modified
    • By clicking on the column header, the files/folders can be sorted alphabetically or chronologically

    New Features for 10.66

    • The included sExplore.exe utility is no longer a single instance application
    • Multiple sExplore.exe instances (windows) may be opened at the same time
    • This enables the ability to cut/copy/paste files using Ctrl-X, Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V from one instance to the other instance

    New Features for 10.65

    • New Secure Desktop Shutdown feature:
      • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Shutdown tab
      • New checkbox: Set Shell to Explorer for [All Users] and Log Off
      • If checked, a new option will appear on Windows Shutdown dialog
      • This will require an Admin UAC prompt in Windows 7/8/10
      • Registry will be set to Explorer.exe and the User will be Logged Off
    • Our sExplore.exe utility has new command-line parameter of /p
      • A new Print button will be added to the toolbar
      • One or more selected document files can be printed to Default printer
    • Small documentation updates to sManual.pdf

    New Features for 10.60

    • Windows Server 2016 support
    • Minor user interface change to:
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Option button | Audit tab

    New Features for 10.57

    • Tested in Windows 10 Fall Creator's Update
    • The following checkbox now disables Ctrl-V while the File Open Dialog is top most window
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab | Disable File Editing Features... checkbox

    Changes for 10.56

    • Fixed a problem introduced in version 10.55
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Open/Save As tab | Disable File Editing Features... checkbox
    • Recommended update for customers using version 10.55

    New Features for 10.55

    • Added support for Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server due to multiple customer requests
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | System and Dialog button features are now available in Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server
    • Previous versions of Secure Desktop automatically enable/disable the ability to for hidden files to be displayed
    • This has been removed as many antivirus products protect this registry value

    New Features for 10.51

    • Windows 10 Anniversary Update changed the on screen keyboard
    • The onscreen keyboard button in Secure Desktop stopped working because of this change
    • This has been corrected
    • The Windows 10 version information in Secure Desktop Tools and Secure Desktop Shell will now display one of the following:
      • Fall Creators Update
      • Creators Update
      • Anniversary Update
      • November Update
      • Initial Release

    Changes for 10.50

    • Removed support for Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server

    New Features for 10.33

    • Added the ability to immediately close the File Properties Dialog
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Dialog button | File Properties tab

    New Features for 10.32

    • New enhancement for Dialog feature introduced in version 10.30
    • This pertains to Disable File Editing Features in File Save As Dialog
    • File name field is no longer disabled
    • Instead, the ": ; \ |" keys are disabled
    • So only a file name may be inputted, not a drive/folder/filename

    New Features for 10.31

    • Added option to hide the Universal Time from the Status Bar
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Icon tab | checkbox list

    New Features for 10.30

    • For Windows 7, 8 and 10: Two new buttons added to user configuration - Setting and Dialog
      • The Setting feature provides a method to immediately close many setting-related editing apps, should they be opened by any application
      • The Dialog feature provides a method to immediately close dialogs such as File Open, File Save As, Print, Run and Internet Options
      • The Dialog feature also provides a way to disable file editing features in dialogs File Open, Browse and File Save As and printer editing features in Print
    • Secure Desktop shell timer loop is now significantly faster
    • Tested in Windows 10 Creators Update

    Changes for 10.26

    • Re-compiled with new version of compilers

    Changes for 10.25

    • Re-compiled with new version of compiler

    New Features for 10.24

    • When clicking an icon, Secure Desktop will change the mouse pointer to the Busy (hourglass) before launching the application
    • After launching the application, the mouse pointer will be restored to what it was at the time the icon was clicked

    Changes for 10.23

    • Fixed a problem related to launching Internet Explorer introduced in Secure Desktop 10.00
    • Recommended update for anyone using Secure Desktop 10.00 or later if launching Internet Explorer

    Changes for 10.22

    • Fixed another problem related to Canadian Multilingual Standard Keyboard layout when Keystroke auditing was enabled
    • This fix slightly changed the format of the keystroke audit file

    Changes for 10.21

    • Fixed a problem with Start Explorer in Addition to Secure Desktop checkbox for Windows XP, 7 and 8
    • Removed Start Explorer in Addition to Secure Desktop checkbox feature for Windows 10
    • This feature is not technically possible in Windows 10
    • Added documentation to clarify that applications started with Run As Administrator checkbox are in a different security context
    • Disabled hot-keys or mouse buttons will not be disabled for these applications due to the different security context

    New Features for 10.20

    • Added Ctrl-Ins and Shift-Ins to list of hot-key combinations that may be disabled
    • Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Option button | Key..Mouse tab | Disable Windows Hot-Keys list

    New Features for 10.12

    • Tested in Windows 10 Anniversary Update
    • Application files and installation files are now dual signed (sha1 and sha256)

    Changes for 10.11

    • Fixed a problem related to Canadian Multilingual Standard Keyboard layout when Keystroke auditing was enabled
    • Fixed a problem related to Secure Desktop Tools | Secure Desktop tab | Icon button | Import button | Browse button

    New Features for 10.10

    • Date/Time information within the audit XML files now shows Local time in addition to Universal Time (UT)
    • Date/Time information within the sdesktop.xml file now shows Local time in addition to Universal Time (UT)
    • Audit XML file names continue to be in Universal Time (UT) format

    New Features for 10.00

    • Windows 10 Support
      • If Mission-Critical, Consider Using Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB Edition
      • Also Supports Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8
      • 32-bit Classic Windows Application
      • 64-bit Aware
    • New Setup Program
      • Now Using Inno Setup instead of Wise installer
      • Setup program is now signed
      • Setup files are now smaller
    • User Interface Improvements
      • Design improved for Touchscreen
      • New Icons throughout
      • On Screen Keyboard Support
      • The Edition of Windows 7, 8 or 10 is shown with version (Home, Pro, Enterprise, etc.)
    • Configuration XML File Management
      • Copy HostName.DomainName/UserName to Default
      • Edit UserName
      • Ignore HostName.DomainName option, UserName Only for Lookup
      • Duplicate Existing HostName.DomainName/UserName
      • Auto Backup sdesktop.xml
      • Manual Backup and Restore sdesktop.xml
      • Same sdesktop.xml file as Secure Desktop 7 and Secure Desktop 8
    • Auto Export Registry Subkeys Modified by Secure Desktop
      • Feature available for Windows 8 or Windows 10 only
    • Added sNote.exe utility for viewing and printing text files
      • Launch sNote.exe with a command-line parameter of a file path surrounded by quotes
      • Example: sNote.exe "C:\Users\User Name\Documents"
      • The sNote.exe left pane will display files and folders in that path. No right mouse clicks
      • Navigate down in folders, but not higher than initial path
      • Optional second parameter is a wildcard filter (default is *.txt)
      • Example: sNote.exe "C:\Users\User Name\Documents" "*.txt"
      • Optional third parameter is /NOPRINT to remove the print button
      • Alternate optional third parameter is the name of the printer to use instead of the Default printer
    • Disable Task Manager and Shutdown in Ctrl-Alt-Delete screen for All Users
    • Secure Desktop launches Classic Windows applications (CWA) Only
      • A Classic Windows application uses the Classic Windows Platform (CWP) (e.g., COM, Win32, WPF, WinForms, etc.)
      • A Universal Windows app is built on the Universal Windows Platform (UWP)
        • The UWP requires the Explorer shell on Windows 10
        • Secure Desktop provides security by replacing the Explorer shell
        • Universal Windows apps (UWA) are not supported
    • Browser Support
      • Secure Desktop 10 has specific features to lock down Internet Explorer 11
      • CWA Browsers (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Opera) can be launched
      • UWP Browsers (Edge) can not be launched
    • Tested on Microsoft Surface Pro

    Secure Utilities 12

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