PresenceLock

PresenceLock — Free Download. App protection

PresenceLock adds a password to individual Windows applications, similar to locking a single app on a phone. You select which programs to protect, including banking, email, chat, journal, or work tools, and each one requires unlocking before it opens. Unlock methods include Windows Hello face or fingerprint, a backup PIN, a trusted Wi-Fi network, or a nearby phone over Bluetooth. The software automatically re-locks protected apps when you step away from the desk, with adjustable timing. A separate friend password, schedules, activity log, and pause mode are included. All data remains on the PC with no cloud account or tracking.

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Download PresenceLock (Official links)
File size: 197.5 MB
The latest version of PresenceLock is: 1.0.0
Operating system: Windows
Languages: English, Italian, Portuguese, French, German, Spanish
Developer: Hearth Software
Price: $5.00 USD (Commercial product)
  • Per-app password protection. PresenceLock lets you choose exactly which Windows applications require authentication before opening. Unlike locking the entire computer, this targets specific programs such as banking software, email clients, chat tools, personal journals, or work-related utilities. Each protected app shows an unlock prompt before its window appears, preventing unauthorized access even if the Windows session is already active.
  • Windows Hello support. The program accepts face recognition or fingerprint scanning through Windows Hello for unlocking protected applications. This biometric method removes the need to type a password each time. If Windows Hello is not configured or available, the backup PIN remains usable, ensuring access is still possible on devices without compatible cameras or fingerprint readers.
  • Backup PIN. A numeric or alphanumeric PIN serves as an alternative unlock method when biometric authentication is unavailable or fails. This PIN is stored only as a salted one-way hash encrypted with Windows DPAPI, never in plain text. Changing the PIN requires the current code, preventing unauthorized modifications even by someone with physical access to the computer.
  • Trusted Wi-Fi networks. PresenceLock can treat specific wireless networks as unlock signals. When the computer connects to a home or office network you designate as trusted, protected applications open without prompting. Leaving that network automatically restores the lock, so devices remain protected on public or unknown connections without manual intervention.
  • Bluetooth phone proximity. A paired phone can act as a presence key over Bluetooth. While the phone is near the computer, protected apps stay unlocked; moving the phone out of range causes them to lock again. This method requires no action on the phone itself after initial pairing and works independently of Wi-Fi or network conditions.
  • Auto-lock on absence. PresenceLock monitors user presence and re-locks protected applications when you step away from the desk. The sensitivity is configurable, ranging from immediate locking to a relaxed delay for short breaks such as getting coffee. This ensures private apps do not remain open on an unattended machine.
  • Friend password. A separate friend password grants temporary access to the computer without revealing your own unlock code. This allows another person to use the laptop for a minute or perform a quick task, while your protected applications remain locked unless that specific friend password is entered. It provides controlled sharing without compromising your primary credentials.
  • Lock schedules. Chosen applications can be locked automatically during set hours, such as overnight, weekends, or outside work time. Each protected app can have its own schedule, giving granular control over when it requires unlocking. This blocks access during high-risk periods even if the PC remains powered on and signed in.
  • Activity log. PresenceLock records when protected applications are opened, unlocked, locked, or denied access. The log shows timestamps and unlock methods used, providing a clear history of access attempts. This helps identify unauthorized attempts or review personal usage patterns without sending data outside the computer.
  • Pause mode. Locking can be paused on demand for presentations, screen sharing, or extended work sessions where repeated unlocking would interrupt. Pausing, quitting, and changing settings all require the correct unlock code first, preventing someone else from disabling protection silently. The pause remains active until manually resumed or until a configured condition restores locking.
  • Task Manager resilience. If someone ends the PresenceLock process through Task Manager, the program restarts automatically within about one minute and re-locks protected applications. This prevents a simple process kill from bypassing protection. The short window exists for system stability, but access remains blocked immediately after restart.
  • Local-only storage. All configuration data, protected app lists, schedules, and the activity log stay on the local PC. No cloud synchronization, user account, or remote tracking is involved. This design minimizes exposure of sensitive information and keeps the program functional without an internet connection.

PresenceLock was created by Hearth Software, a developer focused on privacy and convenience utilities for Windows. The first public version appeared in 2023 after internal testing that began in 2022. The application is written in C# using the .NET platform, chosen for deep integration with Windows security APIs including DPAPI and Windows Hello. Development focused on lightweight operation, local data handling, and compatibility with modern Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems.

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