Using the program: Settings

General

1. Run PrivacyWatcher on Windows startup - if this option is checked, then PrivacyWatcher will load and run in the background whenever Windows loads. Edit autorun item "PWatcher" with autorun manager if you want to add some switches to the command line. For example, you can force PrivacyWatcher to begin the washing every time it starts by adding "/wash" switch to the command line, like this: PWatcher.exe /wash. To learn more about command line switches, click here.
2. Start Minimized - this option tells PrivacyWatcher to start with main window initially minimized. It has the same effect as using "/min" switch in the PrivacyWatcher autorun command line.
3. Automatically Wash on Windows shutdown - this option instructs PrivacyWatcher to do washing automatically every time you shutdown your computer or logging off your account. If you abort washing on Windows shutdown, PrivacyWatcher will ask you if you want to continue the shutdown. Though PrivacyWatcher tries to hook system query for the shutdown first of all applications, some system services can be already stopped. So aborting the shutdown isn't a good idea (but it may be useful, for example, for saving the unsaved documents, etc.)

Interface

1. Language - language of the interface, program's messages, tips and (optionally) help. Use "Refresh" button to refresh the list of the available languages. You can download new language files from our web site.
2. Show tips on startup - if this option is checked, PrivacyWatcher shows tips every time it starts.
3. Hide window when minimized - hide main window when it is in minimized state. This helps to save space in the windows taskbar. PrivacyWatcher can always be accessed via tray icon ().
4. Automatically close Wash window when washing is completed - this instructs PrivacyWatcher to close wash window automatically when washing is completed. This is useful if you start washing by pressing keyboard shortcut while main window is hidden. You can set the timeout (in milliseconds, 1000 ms is equal to 1 second) before the window will be closed.

Locking

1. Password for unlocking of the computer - press "Change" button to create or change your password for unlocking the computer.
2. Enable lock screen transparency (Windows 2000/XP and above) - if this option is checked, lock screen is shown semi-transparent. This option is active only under Windows 2000 and above. You can set the degree of its transparency between 0% (totally opaque) and 99% (almost invisible).
3. Start screensaver instead of locking the computer - this instructs PrivacyWatcher to start currently selected screensaver instead of locking the computer. This may be useful if you just want to hide the computer's screen from anyone's eyes.

Hot keys

Here you can customize the hotkeys for aborting the current operation, washing and locking.

Files deleting mode

Here you can choose how PrivacyWatcher deletes files.

Simple method is most fast, but files deleted with such method often can be recovered (using unerase and undelete tools).

Wiping is the most secure method of destroying files, that you don't want to be viewed by anyone else. Wiping of important files is strongly recommended by US NSA.

Sending files to the Recycle Bin may be useful for test purposes.