Deskman

Changelog

A detailed list of version changes.

Version 13 is the current release.

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13.0.693, July 11, 2025 (Download)

  • Fixed bug that prevented saving files when using the "Disable file renaming on File Explorer" option

SHA-256 checksum: 9f542a17788ae64a5ad89bf1cfcc227a07a19225f2df898049150d07c4fd90ce

13.0.691, July 2, 2025

  • New restriction: "Block file deletion attempts on File Explorer"
  • Updated documentation

SHA-256 checksum: 8b7490f0a2c4a0a02a0cc25ead2912aa7e04447fb95b65e3e3e1e82b42aeba5f

13.0.678, April 7, 2025

This is a new major release. Check the release notes for more details.

New
  • New license engine for added flexibility and security
  • Stronger sign-in policy, following current password standards
  • Added setting to allow weak passwords for evaluation/testing purposes
Improved
  • Deskman Manager updated to support new license engine, with some UI tweaks and bug fixes
Changed
  • "Disable Copilot" removed because Copilot is now an app that can be uninstalled
  • "Disable Chat" removed because Chat is now Microsoft Teams and can be uninstalled
  • Updated setup
  • Updated documentation
  • Updated diagnostics
Fixed
  • Fixed bug that would prevent suspension via hotkey when only specific restrictions are active

SHA-256 checksum: 1fe0c6411907e05e441696744a1cf7a94481e5bc19a36cb2983674c24a1c28d8

12.0.627, March 21, 2025 (Download)

  • Fixed bug where "Block File Explorer" could block printing and others on Windows 11
  • Added link to the changelog on the dashboard
  • New version checks and alerts deprecated
  • Updated setup
  • Updated documentation

SHA-256 checksum: 7d0a61f5f1c4ed62769234f235c8fa97a8822e798a17fea0c06b2e09bbf25732

12.0.612, January 8, 2025

  • New restriction: "Disable file renaming on File Explorer"
  • Updated documentation

SHA-256 checksum: 375ce5143a295a766cf42e3a42a1ef6c28db6227a5185d5eedfbe60811bbe0bd

12.0.604, December 3, 2024

  • Improved support for non-English Windows versions
  • Improved license validation
  • Updated documentation

SHA-256 checksum: b2222155374aef711dd34dd4a6505408fc0fcf451a3c9ef93a03ac1a39efcab8

12.0.590, July 11, 2024

This is a new major release. Check the release notes for more details.

New
  • Windows 11 24H2 support
  • New restriction: "Pause Windows Update"
  • New restriction: "Hide the Recycle Bin"
  • Reduced process list view on dashboard
  • New option in Settings to show expanded process list on dashboard
  • The dashboard now lists installed apps
  • The dashboard now lists physical drives and their used/free space
  • Connected/disconnected drive events are automatically logged
  • Installed/uninstalled application events are automatically logged
  • Application auto-update events are automatically logged
  • Additional suspension hotkeys added
  • Log entry created when data is exported from Settings
Improved
  • Main data-saving function revised to minimize issues under power-loss circumstances
  • Restrictions page texts revised for clarity
Changed
  • 'Disable ability to edit or delete desktop files' renamed to 'Protect desktop icons'
  • 'Disable action center' renamed to 'Disable notification center'
  • 'Block access to Mail account settings' deprecated
  • Revised internal diagnostics function
  • Management page revised for clarity, renamed to Advanced, moved to Settings
  • Updated documentation
Fixed
  • Some restrictions were not described properly in the log when applied

SHA-256 checksum: B12E1E5F9CDDC7B4DE1C5A983491DB0B374AD743428DC521C7AF5235ADC991B7

11.0.487, October 2, 2023 (Download) [L]

  • New restriction: "Disable Copilot"
  • "Disable top menus and ribbon on File Explorer" updated to support latest Windows 11 release
  • Fixed minor interface issue on Firefox
  • Updated documentation

SHA-256 checksum: 6A2843A64FBDD44C5AD5F353AE58F5FF1BD43278336BF62B505B00C532FEC116

11.0.465, May 20, 2023

  • Fixed issue on "Block option menus on web browsers"
  • Stability improvements

11.0.452, April 24, 2023

  • New restriction: "Disable taskbar"
  • New restriction: "Disable drag & drop"
  • "Disable system tray" now blocks access to the hidden icons menu
  • The folder filter now allows access to Home by default
  • Restarting Windows no longer recommended after changing restrictions, signing out is enough
  • Revised texts to keep up with current Windows terminology: "sign out" instead of "log off"
  • Other changes related to Windows 11 22H2 compatibility
  • Updated documentation

11.0.377, January 16, 2023

This is a new major release. Check the release notes for more details.

New
  • Deskman Manager integration
  • Windows 11 ARM support
  • Take desktop screenshots from the dashboard
  • New restriction to disable widgets for all users
  • New restriction to disable chat for all users
Improved
  • Revamped custom Start Menu with light/dark mode support
  • "Disable action center" now also blocks the quick settings panel on Windows 11
  • "Block administrative and command line tools" blocks Windows Terminal on Windows 11
  • Better support for non-English Windows versions
  • Better support for latests Windows 11 releases
  • User interface has more space on mobile
Changed
  • Revised texts following current Windows terminology
  • Updated documentation
  • Updated setup
Fixed
  • Fixed bug on "Block option menus on web browsers" on latest Firefox versions

10.2.293, June 23, 2022 (Download) [L]

  • Fixed Windows 11 issue on "Disable notification area"
  • Fixed Windows 11 issue on "Disable Quick access on File Explorer"
  • Improved "Block ability to change apps, shut down or sign out on Start Menu"
  • Fixed reporting memory bug on diagnostics
  • Added product version to all pages
  • Other minor changes

SHA-256 checksum: 76CAFACC6311BB3484A01A79C457DA07FF8616C5CD575985EA546B59D61778C1

10.2.269, January 6, 2022

  • New folder filter
  • Fixed bug on syncing limit
  • Fixed bug on "Disable context menu on File Explorer and desktop"
  • Fixed bug on "Disable top menus and ribbon on File Explorer"
  • Fixed bug on "Disable navigation pane on File Explorer"
  • Updated documentation

10.1.227, October 7, 2021

  • Windows 11 support
  • Deskman Manager support
  • Search logs bar relocated, always visible
  • Updated documentation

10.0.804, August 16, 2021

  • "Hide the notification area" option tweaked to support recent Windows 10 updates
  • "Restrict access to settings on web browsers" option revised to support recent Firefox versions
  • "Enable Safe Task Manager" now makes sure the Windows Task Manager is always blocked
  • Revised maintenance expiration details on License
  • Setup now creates the Deskman shortcut in common folders
  • Fixed potential connection issue when the web browser terminates contact
  • Fixed inconsistent date/time display on Dashboard and Sync
  • Fixed minor UI glitch on Sync

10.0.751, March 9, 2021

This is a brand new version, with a new architecture under the hood, new user interface, tons of improvements and many changes. Check the blog post for more details.

New
  • Completely new architecture, built for speed, ready for the future
  • Brand new UI, modernized, designed for usability, safety and future updates
  • New restriction to log off users when idle
  • New restriction to block ability to change apps, shut down or sign out on Start Menu
  • Exclude users from restrictions
  • Weekly data backup option
  • Current log view can be exported to csv
  • Protect user accounts with 2-factor authentication
  • Kill processes from the dashboard
  • Remove installations from the syncing list
  • Deny/permit applications from the UI
  • Import domains from file
  • Add up to 20 user accounts
  • Light theme
  • Designed and optimized for Windows 10
Improved
  • Improved performance on all fronts
  • Greatly optimized memory and cpu usage
  • The dashboard now shows processes and more critical information
  • Logs are optimized, more detailed and standardized
  • The Custom Start Menu is more responsive, with better configuration options
  • Syncing is faster, consistent, optimized for high data transfer
  • Streamlined Sync UI with better feedback
Changed
  • Start Menu restrictions moved to Start Menu tab
  • Lock PC when idle moved to Desktop tab
  • License moved to its own section
  • Diagnostics moved to Export data in Settings
  • Profiles renamed to Presets
  • Account renamed to Profile
  • Control Center renamed to Sync
  • Sync Hub renamed to Syncing Bridge
  • Default suspension hotkey is now ctrl-shift-0
Deprecated
  • Ability to take desktop snapshots
  • Internet Explorer support
  • Windows 7 support
  • 32bit support
  • Accept weak password option
  • Store logs option, substituted for automatic weekly backup option
  • Brand option
  • Proxy server option
  • Language option
  • Disable left mouse button restriction
  • Internet Explorer kiosk mode restriction
  • Hotkey selection, now limited to a predefined list
  • Web analyze option
  • Resync option
  • Startup section
  • Log off from Sync
Fixed
  • Fixed bug that prevented Custom Start Menu application icons from being shown properly under certain screen resolutions

9.0.7720.34769, February 22, 2021 (Download) [L]

  • Fixed bug when parsing unusually high volumes of logs

SHA-256 checksum: B96CD599EFC75D3B9743AFD6FB1CF75C833D5D94D745603C250F9E383B5B43FC

9.0.7660.34402, January 4, 2021

  • Improved Alt-Tab restriction to block also Ctrl-Alt-Tab
  • Fixed issue on notifications that would not show the icon properly
  • Fixed issue when restricting access to web browsers that would block new tabs on Google Chrome
  • Fixed issue that prevented "Restrict access to settings on web browsers" from working properly on Firefox
  • Fixed issue when disabling the task view button

9.0.7539.44419, August 24, 2020

  • Fixed issue that could misconfigure the proxy server on Windows 10

9.0.7499.31923, July 21, 2020

  • Fixed bug when blocking access to settings on recent Edge versions
  • Memory usage optimizations

9.0.7437.37138, May 17, 2020

This is a new major release, adding new features, improvements and bug fixes.

New
  • Added system restriction to lock the PC when user's idle for X minutes
  • Added system restriction to block access to option menus on web browsers
  • Added option to extract a data backup, including logs, from Settings
  • Added ability to set the session timeout from Settings
  • Added full support for the new Microsoft Edge
Improved
  • Added support for native notifications on Windows 10
  • Added option to Lock PC in Custom Start Menu
  • Activity log keeps track of locked/unlocked PCs
  • Activity log now shows parent process when blocking apps
  • "Hide action center" reinforced and renamed to "Disable action center"
  • "Disable context menu on File Explorer and desktop" now also applies to open/save dialog boxes
  • "Disable top menus and ribbon on File Explorer" now also applies to open/save dialog boxes
  • "Disable navigation pane on File Explorer" now also applies to open/save dialog boxes
  • Tweaked license section in Settings
Changed
  • Instead of starting/stopping maintenance, restrictions can now be suspended/resumed, same functionality
  • Default session timeout set to 30 minutes
  • Reorganized restrictions in System, for clarity
  • "Disable search and run and Cortana" renamed to "Disable search and run on the Start Menu"
  • Executables signed with new certificate
  • Revised documentation
  • Multiple minor changes
Fixed
  • Fixed password issue with certain unicode characters
  • Fixed profile and group issue with certain unicode characters
  • Multiple minor fixes

8.0.7306.34492, January 6, 2020 (Download) [L]

  • Revised confirmation panels for improved legibility
  • Fixed bug that allowed sync to be turned on unnecessarily
  • Fixed issue that caused custom Start Menu to be closed without interaction
  • Added Firefox and Microsoft Edge kiosk mode options in custom Start Menu
  • Updated documentation
  • Other minor changes and fixes

SHA-256 checksum: F944A510874059D5B0D6BE6EA000460D234F1A498EA30EEE752F762BD4B3CEFF

8.0.7248.63420, November 8, 2019

  • Improved support for Windows 7 and Windows 10 when using language packs
  • CPU/memory bars return to the dashboard, optimized and documented
  • Other minor changes

8.0.7177.61561, August 30, 2019

  • Restricting access to settings on Firefox and Chrome is now tighter, also blocking DevTools and Incognito Mode
  • Winkey restriction tweaked to avoid potential glitches and improve effectiveness
  • Added initial support for new version of Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
  • Fixed bug when changing passwords from Account
  • Updated diagnostics
  • Updated documentation

8.0.7072.31961, May 25, 2019

This is a new major release, adding new features, improvements and bug fixes.

New
  • Profiles, to help you manage multiple configurations
  • User accounts, to help you create multiple permission-based accounts
  • New restriction to disable media keys
  • New restriction to disable edge swiping using touch
  • New restriction to disable Quick access on File Explorer
  • New restriction to remove special folders from This PC
  • Health check endpoint for monitoring
  • Support for latest Windows 10 release
Improved
  • Group feature moved to the control center with improved functionality
  • Revised control center interface, now showing version, host and status icons and syncing group option
  • Activity log now shows more entries, specific usernames instead of generics and multiple format and/or language corrections
  • Sync response generally improved, particularly when changing groups
  • Custom Start Menu button functionality improved
  • Reinforced restriction "Disable top menus and ribbon on File Explorer", which now hides the ribbon when possible
  • Reinforced restriction "Disallow making changes to the Start Menu", which now works better on Windows 10 tiles
  • Reinforced restriction "Disable task view", which now blocks the button and the task view screen
  • Updated internal data folder permissions, for increased security
  • Improved support for Windows in Portuguese, French and Japanese
  • Revamped interface, with new style, fonts and tons of small changes while keeping the same functionality
Changed
  • "Protect desktop files from tampering" renamed to "Disable ability to edit or delete desktop files", for clarity
  • "Disable access to All Programs list" renamed to "Hide list of installed apps in Start Menu", for clarity
  • "Disable task view button" renamed to "Disable task view", for clarity
  • Activity log now shows license number on licensed copies
  • Revised login, removing outdated "remember me" option and updating session time
  • Revised documentation
  • Revised internal diagnostics
  • Other minor changes
Fixed
  • Fixed issue when manually resyncing that would not sync restrictions
  • Fixed issue when changing interface language
  • Other minor fixes

7.0.6922.41265, December 17, 2018 (Download) [L]

  • Minor bug fixes
  • Updated internal diagnostics

SHA-256 checksum: EDA7005CF1FFF616F1D1AC0D5C968E22AED97460C6F3F1FF6E64919521D8CEA9

7.0.6884.38917, November 12, 2018

  • New restriction to disable the notification area, leaving elements visible but protected
  • Excessive consecutive login attempts are now detected and tracked in the activity log
  • "Disable taskbar context menu" option renamed "Disable taskbar settings menu"
  • Revised documentation
  • Other minor changes

7.0.6857.35216, October 23, 2018

  • Optimized memory and network usage when sync is disabled
  • Optimized memory usage on helper module
  • Improved internal data file management
  • Updated setup with high DPI support
  • Updated docs
  • Updated diagnostics
  • Other minor changes and fixes

7.0.6731.36411, June 9, 2018

  • Fixed bug that blocked access to event.log
  • Disabling Ctrl now also disables Ctrl-Esc
  • Improved support for non-English languages when disabling Cortana and Activity Center
  • Other minor changes

7.0.6697.38032, May 3, 2018

  • Fixed uncommon Start Menu bug that could disable space and enter
  • Other minor fixes

7.0.6667.43391, April 15, 2018

This is a new major release, adding new features, improvements and bug fixes.

New
  • Single sign-on support
  • Revamped dashboard, with more clarity and less clutter
  • New restriction to block mail account settings on Windows 10
  • New restriction to disable writing to USB drives
  • New restriction to disable the backspace key
  • New restriction to disable the task view button on Windows 10
  • New restriction to disable navigation pane on File Explorer
  • Ability to view last logon time on the dashboard
  • Ability to log off, restart and shut down multiple installations from the control center
  • Latest Windows 10 release supported
Improved
  • Improved support for Windows in Chinese, Japanese and Hindi
  • Stronger internal control over interface usage permissions
  • Optimized internal tasks to reduce CPU usage, specially on low security levels
  • Reinforced restriction "Disable context menu on File Explorer and desktop", which now also blocks the Organize menu in Save As/Open dialogs
  • Reinforced restriction "Disable access to drives on File Explorer", which now also hides disabled drives
  • Reinforced restriction "Restrict access to settings on Firefox, Chrome and IE", which now also blocks file:/// and works on private mode
  • Reinforced restriction "Disallow making changes to the Star Menu", which now also blocks the right-click menu on Windows 10 tiles
  • Reinforced restriction "Disable top menus and ribbon on File Explorer", which now works much faster
  • Reinforced restriction "Disable Control Panel and Settings", which now also blocks access to the Windows Defender Security Center
  • Reinforced restriction "Hide the desktop", which now is more persistent and compatible
  • Optimized safe task manager, limiting CPU usage
  • Disabling copy & paste now also disables secondary keys: Ctrl-Ins and Shift-Ins
Changed
  • Removed default presets
  • License registration now available from Help menu in Settings
  • Import/Export buttons moved to Tools menu in Restrictions
  • App key renamed as Menu in Restrictions
  • Revised documentation
  • Other minor changes
Fixed
  • Fixed login bug when using non-latin characters as password
  • Fixed interface issue when trying to save settings with errors
  • Fixed bug when analyzing unicode domains

6.0.6532.41690, December 15, 2017

  • Improved diagnostics
  • Disabling F10 now also disables Shift-F10 menus
  • Better data integrity protection and restoration
  • Multiple internal memory optimizations

6.0.6458.37565, September 9, 2017

  • New version notification on dashboard
  • Pressing hotkey during maintenance stops maintenance, after 1 minute buffer
  • Activity log tweaks and fixes
  • Support for recent Windows 10 updates
  • Improved IE11 compatibility
  • Minor bug fixes

6.0.6409.36084, July 20, 2017

  • Added support for unicode-based domains in web filter
  • Fixed bug when checking credentials on domain-based users
  • Minor UI fixes
  • Updated documentation

6.0.6382.39496, June 28, 2017

  • Option to disable access to All Programs in Start menu now also works on Windows 10
  • Fixed bug in web filter when entering domains in uppercase
  • Fixed user interface disarray on certain resolutions
  • Revised documentation
  • Other minor changes

6.0.6339.59966, May 15, 2017

  • Improved restriction when disabling winkey+g and other combinations
  • Improved restriction when disabling ctrl key with combinations
  • Removed ineffective option to block system dialogs

6.0.6313.33352, April 22, 2017

  • Fixed license registration bug under restrictive network settings
  • Tweaked default service recovery setup
  • Updated documentation
  • Other minor changes

6.0, February 12, 2017

This is a new major release, adding new features, improvements and bug fixes.

  • Revamped user interface
  • Guest user account
  • Sync hub, allowing syncing from external networks
  • Startup section
  • New restriction: disable control key combinations
  • New restriction: block administration tools
  • New restriction: block open, save and confirm windows
  • Custom Start Menu is now fully configurable, multiple shutdown options allowed
  • Simplified safe task manager option
  • Improved activity log with restriction details and exporting
  • Improved licensing system
  • Improved emergency code security and validation
  • Revised: presets
  • Revised: disabling delete no longer disables backspace
  • Revised: IE kiosk mode no longer disables multiple hotkeys
  • Moved Start Menu restrictions back to Desktop
  • Added deployment option in setup
  • Added option to store logs
  • Added support for latest Firefox and Chrome versions
  • Deprecated: keep always running option
  • Deprecated: boot to desktop on Windows 8.1
  • Fixed custom Start Menu startup glitch
  • Fixed uninstallation issue that prevented full removal
  • Fixed potentially critical bug when loading logs at startup
  • And many minor fixes, tweaks and improvements

5.2.6241.34890, February 12, 2017

  • Fixed custom Start Menu startup glitch
  • Fixed potentially critical bug when loading logs at startup
  • Improved license validation

5.2.6096.43214, September 14, 2016

  • Updated setup and executables, supporting Microsoft's signing requirements for 2017
  • Updated filter exception list, allowing Windows Update

~Older entries no longer available.