Set the main password
Use a password that other users of the PC do not know. It controls access to protected data and administrative settings.
Privacy Protector User Guide
How to Clean Privacy Traces and Protect Personal Data on Windows
Use GiliSoft Privacy Protector to remove Windows, browser, and application activity traces, schedule automatic cleanup, hide or lock private content, create a personal private disk, and securely delete sensitive data.
Privacy PlanClean activity tracesProtect personal dataShred sensitive files
Before the first privacy cleanup
Set recovery details and review trusted paths before deleting history or applying protection. A few minutes of preparation makes later cleanup safer and easier to reverse where appropriate.
Add a recovery email
Enter an email address for password recovery and security notifications so an avoidable lockout does not become permanent.
Review excluded paths
Exclude trusted disks, system-sensitive locations, and personal folders that should not be selected accidentally.
1. Clean Windows, browser, and application traces
Choose only the categories you intend to erase, close applications that are currently using those records, and review the selection before starting cleanup.
Windows activity history
Remove recent activity, Run and search records, recent document history, temporary traces, and other selected local usage details.
Browser privacy traces
Select browser history, cache, cookies, typed addresses, saved form information, and download records for cleanup.
Application history
Review supported desktop applications and erase selected activity records left by office, media, communication, and utility software.
Close browsers and other affected applications before cleanup. Open programs may keep files in use or recreate history when they close.
2. Schedule automatic privacy cleanup
Choose what should be cleaned and when
- Open the scheduled cleanup settings.
- Select the Windows, browser, and application history categories to erase.
- Choose the event or time when cleanup should run.
- Save the schedule and verify the result after the first automatic run.
A schedule is useful on shared, reception, training-room, or family PCs where the same privacy routine should run repeatedly.
Schedule: selected history categories and automatic cleanup timing3. Choose Hide, Lock, or Protect for personal data
These actions solve different problems. Choose the result you want instead of applying every option to the same item.
Hide
Use Hide when a file, folder, or local drive should disappear from ordinary Windows browsing and search.
Lock
Use Lock when the item may remain visible but must require the Privacy Protector password before it can be opened.
Protect
Use Protect when content should remain available for viewing but needs protection against unwanted editing or deletion.
Test the selected item after applying protection. When temporarily opening protected data, close its Explorer or application window when the work is finished.
4. Keep private content in a personal Private Disk
Private Disk: a separate personal space for documents, pictures, music, and videosCreate a dedicated private space
- Open the Private Disk tool.
- Create the private storage area and choose its settings.
- Open it with the correct password when private files are needed.
- Close the Private Disk after use so the content is no longer exposed.
Use this for personal archives that are easier to manage together than as many separately hidden items.
5. Securely delete sensitive files and folders
Use the shredder when ordinary deletion is not enough
- Open File Shredder.
- Add the files, folders, or drive data intended for secure deletion.
- Review the list carefully before starting.
- Run the secure deletion process and wait for completion.
Important: shredding and disk-wiping operations are designed to prevent ordinary recovery. Verify the target and keep any required backup before proceeding.
File Shredder: add the intended targets, verify them, and then erase6. Configure self protection and stealth settings
Self protection: wrong-password responses, alerts, temporary limits, and stealth optionsProtect the privacy tool itself
- Choose the response to repeated incorrect passwords.
- Enable email notification where alerts are useful.
- Set temporary access limits after repeated failures.
- Choose whether common program shortcuts should remain visible.
Keep at least one reliable way to reopen the program before enabling stealth options.
Privacy Protector troubleshooting and FAQ
Why does browser history still appear after cleanup?
Close the browser before cleaning, confirm the correct browser categories are selected, then rerun cleanup. A browser left open may keep files in use or recreate records when it closes.
How do I restore a hidden file or folder?
Open the corresponding Hide section, select the item, and use the unhide or restore action after entering the Privacy Protector password.
What if a trusted path is selected by mistake?
Cancel before cleanup where possible. Add important or system-sensitive locations to the Exclude List to reduce the chance of selecting them again.
What is the difference between Lock and Protect?
Lock controls opening the item with a password. Protect is intended to keep content available while restricting unwanted modification or deletion.
Can cleanup run automatically?
Yes. Use Schedule to select the trace categories and the time or event that should trigger routine privacy cleanup.
What if I forget the main password?
Use the configured recovery email route. Set and verify the recovery address before relying on hidden, locked, or stealth-protected content.
Clean traces and protect personal privacy from one Windows tool
Use Privacy Protector for routine activity cleanup, private file handling, automatic schedules, personal storage, and secure deletion.
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