Install PROTECT Client

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing, configuring, and uninstalling GuardWare PROTECT Client on your PC. It includes system prerequisites, installation instructions, post-installation setup, and uninstallation instructions.

System Requirements

Before proceeding, make sure the following requirements are met to avoid installation errors and ensure GuardWare PROTECT functions properly on your PC.

Specifications	Minimum Requirements
Operating System	Windows 10 or later with all the latest updates installed
Processor	Intel i5, 4 cores
RAM	8 GB
Free Disk Space	5 GB
Firewall	Open port: 443 (HTTPS)
Tools	Microsoft Azure CLI 2.80.0 or later Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (x64) 2019 or later TLS 1.2 or later enabled WebView2 latest version (For Windows 10)

Whitelist GuardWare PROTECT

To ensure smooth installation and operation of the GuardWare PROTECT client, make sure it is whitelisted in your network’s firewall and antivirus software.

The GuardWare PROTECT installer deploys several components, including file system drivers, background services, and local daemons. These may be incorrectly flagged or blocked by AV, EDR, or XDR solutions. To avoid this, add the PROTECT services to your security software’s whitelist or trusted applications list.

You can either whitelist the entire installation directory:

C:\Program Files\Guardware\PROTECT 
C:\ProgramData\Guardware

Or whitelist the following components individually:

Executable Applications (.exe)

SN	File Name	File Path
1	AZLogin.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\AZLogin.exe
2	Encryptor.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Encryptor.exe
3	Fe2Policy.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Fe2Policy.exe
4	GWDirectoryMonitor.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWDirectoryMonitor.exe
5	GWDirectoryMonitorService.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWDirectoryMonitorService.exe
6	GWProtectEncrypt.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWProtectEncrypt.exe
7	GWProtectPolicy.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWProtectPolicy.exe
8	GWZip.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWZip.exe
9	MailClientLauncher.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\MailClientLauncher.exe
10	ReadHeaderSa.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\ReadHeaderSa.exe
11	SampCheckEncryption.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\SampCheckEncryption.exe
12	SampCrypt.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\SampCrypt.exe
13	SampDir.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\SampDir.exe
14	SampUpdateHeader.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\SampUpdateHeader.exe
15	ScanDecryptService.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\ScanDecryptService.exe
16	Scanner.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Scanner.exe
17	Toast.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Toast.exe
18	WebView2DialogHost.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\WebView2DialogHost.exe
19	mip.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip.exe
20	pdfattach.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdfattach.exe
21	pdfdetach.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdfdetach.exe
22	pdffonts.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdffonts.exe
23	pdfimages.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdfimages.exe
24	pdfinfo.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdfinfo.exe
25	pdfseparate.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdfseparate.exe
26	pdftocairo.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdftocairo.exe
27	pdftohtml.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdftohtml.exe
28	pdftoppm.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdftoppm.exe
29	pdftops.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdftops.exe
30	pdftotext.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdftotext.exe
31	pdfunite.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\pdfunite.exe
32	zstd.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\poppler-24.08.0\Library\bin\zstd.exe
33	GWIconOverlayFix.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Server\GWIconOverlayFix.exe
34	GWProtectClient.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Server\GWProtectClient.exe
35	GWProtectDesktop.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Server\GWProtectDesktop.exe
36	GWProtectExplorerInjector.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Detours\GWProtectExplorerInjector.exe
37	GWProtectHooksService.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Detours\GWProtectHooksService.exe
38	GWProtectIFEO.exe	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Detours\GWProtectIFEO.exe

Libraries, Add-ins, and Modules (.dll / .lib / .tlb)

SN	File Name	File Path
1	AdobeWatcher.Net48.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\AdobeWatcher.Net48.dll
2	b64.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\b64.dll
3	ContextMenuHandlerPS.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\ContextMenuHandlerPS.dll
4	cpr.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\cpr.dll
5	FesfUtil2.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\FesfUtil2.dll
6	GWFESFPolicy.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWFESFPolicy.dll
7	GWIconOverlayHandler.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWIconOverlayHandler.dll
8	GWProtect.OfficeAddin.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Add-ins\GWProtect.OfficeAddin.dll
9	GWProtectContextMenu.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWProtectContextMenu.dll
10	GWProtectEngine.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWProtectEngine.dll
11	GWProtectExplorer32.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Detours\GWProtectExplorer32.dll
12	GWProtectExplorer64.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Detours\GWProtectExplorer64.dll
13	GWProtectHooks32.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Detours\GWProtectHooks32.dll
14	GWProtectHooks64.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Detours\GWProtectHooks64.dll
15	IconHandlers.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\IconHandlers.dll
16	libbz2-1.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libbz2-1.dll
17	libcrypto-3-x64.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libcrypto-3-x64.dll
18	libcurl.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libcurl.dll
19	libffi-8.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libffi-8.dll
20	libgcc_s_seh-1.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libgcc_s_seh-1.dll
21	libgio-2.0-0.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libgio-2.0-0.dll
22	libglib-2.0-0.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libglib-2.0-0.dll
23	libgmodule-2.0-0.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libgmodule-2.0-0.dll
24	libgobject-2.0-0.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libgobject-2.0-0.dll
25	libgsf-1-114.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libgsf-1-114.dll
26	libiconv-2.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libiconv-2.dll
27	libintl-8.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libintl-8.dll
28	liblzma-5.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\liblzma-5.dll
29	libpcre2-8-0.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libpcre2-8-0.dll
30	libssl-3-x64.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libssl-3-x64.dll
31	libwinpthread-1.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libwinpthread-1.dll
32	libxml2-2.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\libxml2-2.dll
33	libzmq-mt-4_3_5.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\libzmq-mt-4_3_5.dll
34	SQLite.Interop.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWProtect.OfficeAddin\x64\SQLite.Interop.dll
35	System.Data.SQLite.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\GWProtect.OfficeAddin\System.Data.SQLite.dll
36	WebView2Loader.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\WebView2Loader.dll
37	tinyxml2.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\tinyxml2.dll

Drivers and Driver Metadata

SN	File Name	File Path
1	Fe2Lower.cat	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Drivers\Fe2Lower\Fe2Lower.cat
2	Fe2Lower.inf	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Drivers\Fe2Lower\Fe2Lower.inf
3	Fe2Lower.sys	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Drivers\Fe2Lower\Fe2Lower.sys
4	FesfV2.cat	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Drivers\FESFV2\FesfV2.cat
5	FesfV2.inf	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Drivers\FESFV2\FesfV2.inf
6	FesfV2.man	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Drivers\FESFV2\FesfV2.man
7	FesfV2.sys	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Drivers\FESFV2\FesfV2.sys

Installation and Maintenance Scripts

SN	File Name	File Path
1	install.ps1	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Add-ins\install.ps1
2	uninstall.ps1	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Add-ins\uninstall.ps1
3	installDriver.bat	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\installDriver.bat
4	installer.bat	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Detours\installer.bat
5	uninstallDrivers.bat	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\uninstallDrivers.bat
6	uninstaller.bat	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Detours\uninstaller.bat

Databases, Logs, and Runtime Data

SN	File Name	File Path
1	mip.policies.sqlite3	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_data\mip\mip.policies.sqlite3
2	mip.protection.sqlite3	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_data\mip\mip.protection.sqlite3
3	mip_sdk.miplog	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_data\mip\logs\mip_sdk.miplog
4	sqlite3.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\sqlite3.dll
5	sqlite3.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\sqlite3.dll
6	mip_ClientTelemetry.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_ClientTelemetry.dll
7	mip_core.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_core.dll
8	mip_file_sdk.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_file_sdk.dll
9	mip_protection_sdk.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_protection_sdk.dll
10	mip_upe_sdk.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_upe_sdk.dll

Resource and Configuration Files

SN	File Name	File Path
1	Protect-Shield.ico	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Protect-Shield.ico
2	proxy_mode.dll	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\proxy_mode.dll

Folder (Directory) Exclusions

SN	Folder Name	Folder Path
1	telemetry	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_data\mip\telemetry
2	telemetry-shm	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_data\mip\telemetry-shm
3	telemetry-wal	C:\Program Files\GuardWare\PROTECT\Mip\mip_data\mip\telemetry-wal

Network Access Requirement (Azure Key Vault)

In addition to file-level whitelisting, configure a firewall exception to allow the PROTECT client to access Azure Key Vault without modifying the SSL certificate.

Firewall Rule Configuration

Parameter	Value
Application Name	GWProtectDesktop.exe
Destination URL	<KeyVaultName>.vault.azure.net
Port	443 (HTTPS)

<KeyVaultName> refers to the name of the Azure Key Vault created during the GuardWare PROTECT Server setup process.

Example: If the Key Vault is named guardware-protect, the URL will be:

guardware-protect.vault.azure.net.

Azure AD Users

For users registered with Azure AD, proceed directly to the Install GuardWare PROTECT Client section.

Local AD and External Users (On-Premises and Outside the Organisation)

If your users are registered with on-premises Active Directory (local AD), please follow the Pre-installation steps. This also applies to users who are outside your organisation, such as partners, contractors, or clients, who are not part of your organisation’s Azure AD or Local AD.

Pre-Installation Setup

Local AD users and external users need an invitation from GuardWare Australia to use GuardWare PROTECT. Once you receive an invitation, follow these steps:

1. Accept the invitation sent to your email.

2. After accepting, you’ll be prompted to send a code to your email. Click Send code.

1. Enter the code sent to your email and sign in.

2. GuardWare requests certain permissions. Read the requested permission and accept. You’ll then be directed to the Welcome page, where you can see details on how to get started.

Install GuardWare PROTECT Client

1. Double-click the GuardWare PROTECT installer file to begin the installation.

2. In the Setup Wizard, click Next to continue.

1. Read and accept the End User Licence Agreement (EULA) and click Next.

1. Choose the folder where you want to install GuardWare PROTECT and click Next. By default, PROTECT will be installed in: C:\Program Files\.

2. Click Install. The installation may take a few minutes to complete.

1. If you do not have Microsoft Azure CLI installed, a Setup Wizard will prompt you to install it. Read and agree to the licence agreement terms and click Install.

1. Once the installation is complete, click Finish to exit the Microsoft Azure CLI Setup Wizard and continue with the PROTECT Client installation.

1. During installation, a User Account Control (UAC) dialog box may appear. This is a standard Windows security feature that verifies whether you want to allow the installer to make changes to your computer. When this dialog appears:

2. Verify that the publisher is GuardWare Australia Pty Ltd.

3. Click Yes to allow the installation to proceed. Clicking No cancels the installation.

4. Once the PROTECT Client installation is complete, click Finish to exit the wizard. You’ll be prompted to restart your PC. Click Yes. After restarting your PC, follow the steps in Post-Installation Setup.

Restarting is mandatory for GuardWare PROTECT to install successfully.

Post-Installation Setup

After restarting your PC, a Welcome Wizard appears automatically. If you do not see it right away, please wait a few minutes.

1. In the Welcome wizard, click Login with Azure.

1. For Azure AD users:

   1. Select your work email address and click Continue.

      
   2. Select your Tenant ID and Subscription and click Submit.

      1. Tenant ID: The unique identifier of your Azure AD.

      2. Subscription: Defines the set of resources and the billing account.

         

      Select the Subscription that contains your Key Vault. If multiple appear, select the one where the Key Vault and Service Principal for GuardWare PROTECT are set up. If you’re not certain which subscription applies, you can verify it in the Azure Portal under Subscription or contact your administrator.

      
2. Click Exit when the setup is complete.

3. For external users:

   1. Select Work or school account.

   2. Enter the email address where you received the invitation, and click Next.

   3. Check your email for a verification code, then enter the code and click Sign in.

   4. When prompted to sign in automatically across desktop apps and browsers, select No, this app only (for better security). This ensures your Azure login is used only within GuardWare PROTECT, preventing other apps or browsers on the same device from automatically accessing your credentials. You can always sign in separately to other apps when needed.

   5. Click Exit when the setup is complete.

4. During the process, if a Windows Security prompt appears stating that Windows Firewall has blocked some features of GWProtectDesktop, click Allow. If the prompt does not appear, follow the steps below to allow GWProtectDesktop to communicate through Windows Defender Firewall. Allowing GWProtectDesktop through the firewall ensures the PROTECT Client can communicate with required services and enforce file protection policies correctly.

   1. Open Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.

   2. Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

   3. Select Change settings.

   4. Locate GWProtectDesktop in the list and enable the Private and Public networks.

   5. Click OK to save the changes.

      

✅ You can now use GuardWare PROTECT to add protection to sensitive files, set classifications, restrict access to Security Groups, add expiry dates, restrict circulation, and so on.

Uninstall GuardWare PROTECT Client

Make sure to remove protection from your protected files before uninstalling PROTECT; otherwise, you won't be able to access them afterwards.

To remove GuardWare PROTECT from your PC:

1. Double-click the PROTECT installer file.

2. In the Setup Wizard, click Next to continue.

1. You’ll get options to modify, repair, or remove PROTECT. Choose Remove, then click Remove to uninstall GuardWare PROTECT.

1. (Optional) To review or change installation settings, click Back. To exit without uninstalling, click Cancel.

2. During the uninstallation, you may see the following dialogs:

   1. Installer Information

      When the Installer Information appears, click OK to continue with the uninstallation.

   2. User Account Control (UAC) This is a standard Windows security feature that verifies whether you want to allow the installer to make changes to your computer. When this dialog appears:

      1. Verify that the publisher is displayed as GuardWare Australia Pty Ltd.

      2. Click Yes to allow the uninstallation to proceed. If you select No, the uninstallation will be cancelled.

3. After uninstallation is complete, you will be prompted to restart your PC. Click Yes.

Restarting is mandatory for GuardWare PROTECT to fully uninstall.