Technical Specifications

Secure Desktop 12 is a 32-bit application and is 64-bit aware. We tested Secure Desktop 12 in Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022. Legacy versions of Windows are available by purchasing Secure Desktop 10.

Configuration Data

We store Secure Desktop 12 configuration data in the registry. We do not use the sdesktop.xml file like Secure Desktop 7, 8, 10, and 11. Secure Desktop 12 does not overwrite previous versions of Secure Desktop.

We automatically back up the configuration data. There is also a manual backup and restore.

Windows Win32 Application Launching

Secure Desktop 12 provides several import mechanisms to bring in program data from Start Menu Shortcuts, Startup Group Shortcuts, Registry Startup, Desktop Shortcuts, Program Files, and My Computer.

Import an Icon (application) quickly using the Import button in the Icon Configuration. Set any additional details for an imported icon and manually browse for a program to launch.

You can restart an application if it's been closed by the user. Or run a Single Instance Only of that application. You can set an Icon to Run As Administrator, should they need Administrator access.

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Secure Desktop Icon Configuration

Startup Tab

Secure Desktop 12 does not automatically start everything that the Explorer Shell starts. The system always starts services, regardless of what shell is running. Still, you must configure any other program you wish to auto-start in Secure Desktop's Startup Tab (not visible to the user). There are several advantages to this when Secure Desktop 12 is running as the shell:

• Unknown applications will not automatically start from the registry
• Start Secure Desktop applications in a specific order
• You can specify a time delay for each application to ensure that one has begun before the next

Passwords

Each icon, group tab, or toolbar button may be individually password-protected. You can assign a keyboard shortcut to bring Secure Desktop 12 to the top of the Z-order, which may also be password-protected. Using the Supervisor feature, passwords can change dynamically by requiring a calculated passcode to any Secure Desktop 12 password. We base this calculation on the computer system date and a 5-digit PIN. Secure Desktop password data is stored as a hash.

Secure Desktop Shell

The Secure Desktop 12 shell is a toolbar window that spans the user's screen width - place it at the top or the bottom. Set the shell to the top or the bottom of the Z-order. Set icon mouse clicks to single or double. Change the icon background color. Function keys for the icons can be on or off. Remove the tab bar if only one tab is visible. Hide the status bar. Disable mouse clicks for the Tray Icons. System icons (Volume, Network, Power) can be displayed, although they are less secure due to the start of unknown programs.

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Secure Desktop Shell

Audit

Secure Desktop 12 stores the audit data in CSV files, the Window Event Log, or both. We store the window titles and the current user name in this data.

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Secure Desktop Audit

Disable Keyboard Shortcuts

Secure Desktop can disable over 400 keyboard shortcuts, tuned for the specific operating system in an independent hardware fashion. Please see the sidebar for the complete list.

Disable Clipboard

This Secure Desktop feature listens to the clipboard. If the contents change, Secure Desktop clears the clipboard.

Included Utilities

View Audit data with sAudit. Show a wallpaper using sWall.

Secure Utilities 12, included with Secure Desktop 12

sExplore File Explorer. sCopy File. sMenu Start Menu. sNote Viewer. sImage Viewer. sKeyboard On-Screen Keyboard. sRun Program. sControl Panel. sEject Device. Logon, Drive Hiding, Touch/Pen Disabling, and Auto Logoff registry settings.

Window Wizard

The Window Wizard can manipulate a window. Secure Desktop 12 identifies windows by title, class name, or min/max buttons. Then, we act on the window to hide it, force it to min or max state, close it, or disable menu items for windows with the older style. Send Alt + N (No button) and other keyboard shortcuts to a message window.

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Secure Desktop Window Wizard

File Access and File Open, Browse and Save As Dialogs

Disable part of the standard user interface for File Open, Browse, or Save As Dialogs.

The File Open, Browse, or Save As Dialogs are mini versions of File Explorer. Secure Desktop can disable relevant mouse clicks and keyboard shortcuts while the dialog is on top, preventing unwanted file editing or manipulation. We provide a similar feature for the Print Dialog.

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Secure Desktop Dialog Features

System Features

Secure Desktop 12 can close applications immediately by specific window class names.

We include applications used by administrators, the registry editor, Settings in Windows 10 or 11, console windows, file explorer, control panel, task manager, and the mobility center.

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Secure Desktop Setting Features

Windows Win32 Application Launching

Most Visual Automation customers use Secure Desktop in mission-critical settings such as manufacturing, the pharmaceutical industry, or retail point of sale. When using Windows 10 in a mission-critical environment, Microsoft recommends using Windows 10 Enterprise Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) Edition. This LTSC Edition does not support Universal Windows applications. Although Secure Desktop works on any Windows 10 or 11 Edition (except Windows 10S or 11S), we recommend that our customers carefully research the various Editions to ensure a stable system. Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC Edition may be the best Edition of Windows 10 for your mission-critical setting.