> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.guardware.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.guardware.com/documentation/protect/users-and-devices/protect-users.md).
# PROTECT Users
The **PROTECT Users** section allows you to view and manage users on devices that have PROTECT installed. You can see each user’s login activity, Security Groups, assigned policy, device, account status, and log collection status.
Use the **Search** and **Filter** options to locate specific users.
From here, you can perform the following actions:
1. [Update Settings Version](#update-settings-version)
2. [Assign User Policies to Users](#assign-user-policies-to-users)
3. [Assign Security Groups to Users](#assign-security-groups-to-users)
4. [Encrypt Files](#encrypt-files)
5. [Decrypt Files](#decrypt-files)
### Update Settings Version
The **Update Settings Version** button prompts PROTECT agents to automatically pull the newest configuration from the server and push the latest settings to all connected devices. This is useful when you have made changes to policies or settings and want them to take effect immediately on client devices, without waiting for the next automatic update.
### Assign User Policies to Users
1. Navigate to **END USERS > PROTECT**.
2. Search for the user and click **Assign Policies**.
3. Select the policy you want to assign and click **Confirm**. If the user already has an assigned policy, it is removed and replaced with the new policy.
### Assign Security Groups to Users
1. Navigate to **END USERS > PROTECT**.
{% hint style="info" %}
External users appear on the list only after they have accepted the invitation and installed GuardWare PROTECT. For details on how to invite external users, see [Invite External Users](/documentation/protect/users-and-devices/invite-external-users.md).
{% endhint %}
2. Search for the user and click **Assign Security Group** in the **Actions** column. You’ll see the list of all Security Groups.
3. Select the Security Group and click **Assign Security Group**.
### Encrypt Files
**Encrypt Files** applies protection to all files on the device. Files are encrypted according to the assigned user policy.
1. Navigate to **END USERS > PROTECT**.
2. Search for the user and click **Encrypt Files** in the **Actions** column.
3. Click **Yes** in the confirmation alert.
### Decrypt Files
**Decrypt Files** removes protection from all protected files on the device. This step is especially required before uninstalling PROTECT from a device. Uninstalling PROTECT without first removing protection from your protected files will make them inaccessible afterwards.
1. Navigate to **END USERS > PROTECT**.
2. Search for the user and click **Decrypt Files** in the **Actions** column.
3. Click **Yes** in the confirmation alert.
---
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