What is included in GiliSoft EXE Lock?

Direct Block – Stops selected apps from launching entirely.
Password Verification – Shows a password prompt before launch.
Store App Lock – Covers supported Microsoft Store and UWP apps.
Temporary Unlock – Releases locked apps briefly without dropping the policy.
Core Capacity – Controls launch of desktop EXE and Store apps.
Important – It controls app launch, not file encryption.

What are the main benefits of GiliSoft EXE Lock?

GiliSoft EXE Lock is a Windows utility that decides which applications are allowed to start, using either a direct block or a password prompt. It manages desktop EXE programs and supported Microsoft Store/UWP apps from one local dashboard.

Two Policies – Choose a direct block or password approval.
Shared PC Control – Protects family, office, and lab computers.
No Binary Change – Original programs stay installed and intact.
Whitelist Safety – Keeps system-critical processes off the lock list.
Activity Logs – Review blocked launch attempts from one dashboard.
Command Line – Lock or unlock apps through scripts.

What does GiliSoft EXE Lock do?

GiliSoft EXE Lock controls which applications can start on a Windows PC rather than encrypting or hiding files. You add desktop EXE programs or supported Microsoft Store/UWP apps to a protected list and assign one of two policies: Direct Block, which prevents launch entirely, or Password Verification, which shows a password prompt before the app opens. It does not modify the protected program's binary, so the original software stays installed and runs normally once access is approved. A dashboard records blocked attempts and shows current protection status, which makes it easy to confirm the rule is active on a shared machine.

Who is GiliSoft EXE Lock best suited for?

It fits situations where several people sign in to the same Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer but only some should launch certain programs. A small finance team can keep accounting, payroll, or reporting tools behind Password Verification so only approved staff open them, while a school lab can apply Direct Block to games and settings utilities. The whitelist keeps system-critical processes off the lock list, reducing the chance of accidentally blocking essential Windows components. Unlike folder encryption or USB blocking tools, its specific job is stopping unauthorized app launches on a locally administered machine.

Does GiliSoft EXE Lock encrypt the files it protects?

No. EXE Lock controls app launch only and does not encrypt files or folders, nor does it change the locked program's binary code. This means it stops someone from running a protected application, but the underlying program files and any data they open are not themselves encrypted or hidden. For file and folder encryption, hiding, or secure deletion, GiliSoft positions File Lock Pro as the separate tool for that job. Because it is launch control rather than copy protection, it also will not stop a determined user from copying an executable to analyze it elsewhere.

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Can GiliSoft EXE Lock lock Microsoft Store and UWP apps?

Yes. The current version includes a dedicated Store Apps (UWP) section that is separate from the Desktop Apps (EXE) list, so you can target supported modern Windows apps as well as traditional executables. You apply the same two launch policies — Direct Block or Password Verification — to either type. This matters on Windows 11 machines, where a Store version of a tool would otherwise slip past a desktop-only lock. Coverage is limited to app targets the tool can detect, so it handles supported Store/UWP apps rather than every possible package.

What is the difference between Direct Block and Password Verification?

Direct Block prevents the selected app from starting at all, with no password prompt or extra interaction, which suits software that ordinary users should never open. Password Verification instead shows a password prompt before launch, so a parent, manager, teacher, or administrator can approve access when needed. You set the policy per app, so prohibited tools can be hard-blocked while approved-on-demand tools stay reachable with the release password. Temporary Unlock can also release a protected app briefly during maintenance or supervised use without removing its policy.

Can GiliSoft EXE Lock be controlled from the command line?

Yes. EXE Lock accepts command-line arguments to lock or unlock a program, including the target path, any launch parameters, and the password in a single command. The documented syntax locks a program with ExeLock.exe /lock followed by the executable path and the /pw password value. This lets administrators script lock and unlock actions or fold them into existing maintenance routines instead of opening the interface each time. It stays a local operation on the machine where EXE Lock is installed.

Frequently asked questions about GiliSoft EXE Lock

Does locking a program change or damage the original application?

No. EXE Lock adds password or block control without altering the program's source binary, so there is no risk of corrupting the file or breaking compatibility. The original application launches and runs normally once access is approved.

What happens if I forget the EXE Lock password?

You can set a password recovery email in Settings before sharing the PC, which gives administrators a fallback for regaining access. Setting this in advance matters, because the lock is designed so protected apps cannot be run and the tool itself cannot be removed without the password.

How does the App Whitelist help?

The whitelist and system-protected-items area keeps trusted apps and system-critical processes off the lock list. This lowers the chance of blocking essential Windows components while still protecting the applications that matter on a shared workstation.

Does GiliSoft EXE Lock run on Windows 11 and Windows 10?

Yes. The current product is built specifically for Windows 11 and Windows 10 app control and is a Windows-only utility, so there is no macOS, iOS, or Android version. If you need app-launch control on a Mac, EXE Lock is not the right tool.