The added option allows you to enable/disable shell protection optimization. When enabled, the Integrator attempts to wrap the executable with the technique that is more friendly to anti-virus software. This helps to avoid the issue that some anti-virus software may flag the protected application as suspicious. However, some executable can't be optimized. Disabling the option will allow you to protect more types of the executable.

The added Key location option allows the Key files to be created on the User Profile (%USERPROFILE%) folder. This option enables the Key system to be specific for a user account. As a result, the protected application will not be licensed by machine. Instead, it will be licensed by user account or Terminal Server session.

The KeyCheck class libraries were updated to change the error code constant ERR_DISK from 6 to 262. This error code is returned when the system detects that the hard drive signature has changed, and needs to remake the Key.

The ElecKey system libraries (DLLs) were updated to solve the problem that may cause the error message "Incorrect EKAG20NT.EXE version" on some system.

The .NET Encryption shell protection was updated in response to a specific, rare problem reported by an end-user, which results in an improved reliability.

The error message "Invalid Machine Type" was updated to be clearer as "This program cannot run on a virtual machine." This error message occurs when the protected application runs on a virtual machine, by which making the license on virtual machines is disabled.

The UpdateRemoteKey() function of the KeyCheck API that supports the RKUB (Remote Key Update Broadcast) feature was improved, allowing you to set the default directory of the RKU file.

The fix solved the problem that the fixed expiration feature worked only if the account was already activated, but not for a newly created account. The fixed expiration feature enables the Activation Server to save the date the account is activated for the first time. For subsequent activations, the Activation Server automatically calculates and issues a replacement license with the remaining Max-Day from the original activation date.

USB LicenseKey Manager now allows you to create a distributor tool called USB LicenseKey Maker. The tool can be provided to a distributor or third party whom you authorize to make the USB License Keys (dongles) on your behalf. You can have full control over the maker tool to set the number of USB License Keys allowed to be made. This feature is available in ElecKey EX Internet, ElecKey EX Enterprise, and ElecKey EX Ultimate.

The added sample code demonstrates how to interface the KeyCheck API to C# and VB .NET WPF applications.

The KeyCheck API and NetKey License Server (NKLS) now support concurrent user licensing for ASP.NET web applications. The solution provides a simple and easy way to enable the web application to connect to the NKLS, in which you can control the number of concurrent users (or sessions) through License Key (PC License) or USB dongle (USB License). By using the provided NetKey Manager, you can also remotely monitor the active users accessing the web application.

The added sample code demonstrates how to interface the KeyCheck API to the ASP.NET web application to connect to the NetKey License Server (NKLS), which controls the number of concurrent active users or sessions.

USB LicenseKey Manager now supports making USB License Key via USB hub. This can enable you to make the USB dongles in bulk faster and easier.

The feature allows you to specify the content files such as your application. When making the Key, USB LicenseKey Manager can automatically load the content files into the USB dongle.

The USB Key installation utility (Instkey.exe) now supports command line interface. This can be useful to allow the application to run the utility in silent mode, in order to install the Key from the USB dongle to a hard drive automatically.

The ElecKey Integrator Console (EkIntCon.exe) now supports command line interface for UpdateShield Builder. This allows you to include UpdateShield Builder as one of the stages in the build process. Therefore, you can automatically create all index files, as well as the Online Installer.

When running NetKey License Server (NKLS) in the GUI mode, the default configuration file is loaded from the folder %APPDATA%\NETKEY40EK\NKLS.INI. When running NKLS as a service, depending on the operating system, the default configuration file is loaded from the folder %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\APPLICATIONDATA\NETKEY40EK\NKLS.INI or %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\NETKEY40EK\NKLS.INI.

The improved license enforcement algorithm can detect BIOS update, which does not signify a different machine. Therefore, when the user updates BIOS, the protected application will not cause an invalid Key device error, nor ask to remake the Key.

The PayPal KeyGen, which provides interface between the Activation Server and PayPal IPN, now supports more transaction types including eCheck, Express Checkout, Cart Checkout, and Web Accept.

The fix solved the EAccessViolation problem, which may occur on some Windows 2003 and 2008 machines, when accessing the web service for online activation.

The algorithm of writing to the flash-based and SSD-based dongle device (in case of evaluation and limit license mode) is updated to optimize the life cycle of the USB License Key.

The Update Server can now keep track of automatic software update performed by the user. The log information includes date/time, version, and status (from downloading, installing, until up-to-date). The update log feature allows you to easily determine which version the user is using, which can be very helpful in several scenarios e.g. when providing technical support. This feature is available in ElecKey Enterprise PLUS, ElecKey Ultimate PLUS, ElecKey EX Enterprise PLUS, and ElecKey EX Ultimate PLUS.

The new activation policy for secure evaluation enables the Activation Server to accept the activation request if one or more of the hardware signatures is different from those from the previous activation. When distributing software as secure evaluation, this new activation policy ensures that the user cannot reuse the Activation Key to activate the trial software on the same machine.

The KeyCheck .NET Component is improved to handle automatic search for various types of the Key, including local PC License, network PC License, local USB License, and network USB License. This can be useful if you want to protect and distribute your application as a single version that supports any license types.

The added sample code demonstrates how to interface the KeyCheck .NET Component to automatically search and detect the available Key, in the following order: local USB License, network USB License, local PC License, and network PC License.

The ElecKey Reference Help is updated with more information about the Activation Server, including deployment instructions and tutorials. It also includes instructions for installation on a shared hosted server using the Parallels Plesk Panel control panel. The online version of the Activation Server documentation is now available at: https://www.sciensoft.com/docs/activationserver/.

In LicenseKey Manager / USB LicenseKey Manager, you can now enable and specify both ExpiredDate and Max-Day limits. In this case, the protected application will be expired when whichever limit is reached first.

The end-user utilities for the protected application now support the silent mode (without UI) for online activation, including activating, deactivating, and destroying license. You can execute the utilities by passing the Activation Key (e.g. Register 0123-4567-89AB-CDEF-0123).

The Instant KeyCheck API added new function 'InstantProtectionParam' to support the end-user utilities running in the silent mode.

The General Evaluation licensing allows the user to start using the trial version immediately after installation. But, to extend the trial period, the user must obtain an evaluation License Key. In case you issue a new evaluation release, you can enable this new feature so that the user can update the trial version to a newer release, and start a new trial period without having to obtain an evaluation License Key.

You can make the USB License Key (dongle) for time-based licensing (e.g. for evaluating or leasing the application) by specifying the Max-Day limit. In this case, the Day-Count of the license will start when the USB License Key is used to unlock the application for the first time.

This new feature gives an additional option for time-based licensing. By default, the Activation Server issues the license based on the limits set in the MasterID/MasterLicense. If you allow reactivation, the Activation Server will issue a replacement license with the full Max-Day that could extend the original license. By enabling this new feature, the Activation Server can save the date the user account is licensed for the first time. For reactivation, the Activation Server automatically calculates and issues a replacement license with the remaining Max-Day to the original fixed expiration date.

You can now build the Updater as an Online Installer that can automatically download the software, and then execute the embedded script files to perform the installation. The Online Installer can also perform automatic update to check for the new software version.

The code examples demonstrate how to use the KeyCheck API to implement PC License/USB License to protect and license applications.

The Updater now features download resume capability that can resume unfinished download due to any reason such as lost connections, slow servers, computer shutdowns, etc. The resume capability can restart the download in the middle, without having to restart all over again.

This new feature gives you the option to embed the System Image to your executable, instead of creating and deploying it as a SIF file.

The Key system is improved to solve the problem (although rare in occurrence) related to Key loss for an unknown reason.

The fix solved the problem that KeyCheck .NET Component, KeyCheck .NET CF Component, and KeyCheck .NET C# class library do not return the last data of the KeyData property.

The fix solved the problem related to FTP password that causes a failure to FTP download.

This new feature gives you the option to allow USB License Key installation to add licensed Module IDs to the previously installed Harddisk Key.

The fix solved the problem that, after the Key is removed from a computer back to the USB License Key, it could not be installed to another computer.

The .NET Encryption shell protection is improved to be more compatible with applications targeting .NET Framework 4.0.

ElecKey Integrator added the option to allow more customization of the license registration/activation dialog box. You can set the dialog box to include license registration only, online activation followed by manual activation, manual activation followed by online activation, or online activation only.

The 'Send Email' button is added for the activation accounts that allow you to click to send email containing the Activation Key to the user.

The PayPal KeyGen is an interface that is compatible with the PayPal IPN (Instant Payment Notification) protocol and messages. It enables you to integrate the Activation Server with the PayPal payment gateway service, and allows you to automate the whole process of selling and licensing software, including accepting PayPal payments, generating Activation Key, and sending order confirmation email.

The code examples demonstrate how to use the KeyCheck API to implement USB License dongle to protect and license MS-Access, MS-Excel and MS-Word Macro applications.

The shell protection wrapper is improved to support DOS applications compiled by Free Pascal compiler.

The fix solves the problem that, in some machines, the agent Ekag20nt.exe gives the error message "Access Violation".

The new NetKey Manager is a program that can access the NKLS service process remotely through the network. It enables you to monitor and control the NKLS from any workstation. The NetKey Manager program is provided with full source code in C# for customization.

The NetKeyManager .NET Component is a powerful and easy-to-use component for developing an application to monitor and control the NKLS service process.

While the NKLS provides client authorization based on IP address, it can now detect NAT connections. You can specify whether or not to allow the specified client IP addresses behind a NAT to connect to the NKLS. You can also specify and restrict the NAT IP address.

The new Updshl Service (Updshsvc.exe) is a Windows Service program that is designed to overcome the problem of the limited user account that does not have installation privileges. As a Windows Service, the Updshl Service is started before the user logs into Windows and has the system account with more privileges. When the Updater (Updshl10.exe) runs under the limited user account, it interfaces with the Updshl Service that helps to install program and complete the automatic update task.

The fix solved the problem that the Updater is sometimes halted when the protected application is closed.

The fix solved the problem that you cannot run the ElecKey Integrator console from outside of its directory.

The new KeyCheck ActiveX Automation Server allows you to integrate the protection and licensing system to web browser-based applications. The ActiveX Automation Server supports both Local Key and Network Key.

The code examples demonstrate how to use JavaScript and VB6 to interface the KeyCheck ActiveX in web browser-based applications.

ElecKey 2.0 Release 7 now supports both PC License and USB License. PC License is software-based protection that the Key is implemented on the hard disk drive. USB License is dongle-based protection that the Key is implemented on a USB drive. Using USB License, the user must attach the USB dongle to the computer to run the protected application.

USB LicenseKey Manager is the tool for licensing the application protected as USB License. You can easily make and turn a USB drive into a USB License Key (dongle) to license your application.

ElecKey EX is the new version that offers both software-based and USB dongle-based protection and licensing solutions.