Start here · Install SimLock
Start here
Install SimLock
System requirements, the installer walkthrough, the kiosk hardening options, and where SimLock puts its files.
Installing SimLock takes about five minutes on a bay PC. You need an administrator account on that PC and an internet connection.
Check the requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit |
| .NET 8 Desktop Runtime | Required. The installer checks for it and offers to download and install it if it is missing |
| Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime | Used by the optional Instructions screen. The installer installs it silently if it is missing; a failure here does not stop the install |
| Internet connection | Needed for the runtime downloads, license activation, Google Calendar sync and YouTube video downloads |
| Account | The installer requires administrator rights and shows a UAC prompt |
The .NET runtime is downloaded, not bundled
If .NET 8 is not already on the PC, the installer shows ".NET 8 Desktop Runtime is required. Click OK to download and install it automatically." Click OK. If the download fails, install it by hand from https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet/8.0 and run the installer again.
Download the installer
- Go to https://simlock.golf/download. Your browser saves
SimLock_Installer.zip. - Extract the zip. It contains one file,
SimLock_Setup_v<version>.exe(for exampleSimLock_Setup_v2.10.8.exe). - Double-click that installer and accept the UAC prompt.
Walk through the installer
The installer is a standard Windows setup wizard. SimLock installs to C:\Program Files (x86)\SimLock on a 64-bit PC.
On the Select Additional Tasks page you will see these checkboxes. All of them are selected by default.
| Checkbox | What it does | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Create a desktop shortcut | Puts a SimLock Admin shortcut on the desktop | Optional |
| Start SimLock Monitor with Windows | Adds SimLock Monitor to the all-users Startup folder so the lock screen is armed after every reboot | Keep it on for a real bay |
| Apply kiosk hardening (recommended for production kiosks) | Parent option for the four items below | Keep it on for a real bay |
| Disable Task Manager, Sign Out, Switch User, Lock, Change Password (Ctrl+Alt+Del options) | Registry policies that remove those items from the Ctrl+Alt+Del screen | Keep it on |
| Disable sleep / hibernate / display-off on AC power | Runs powercfg so the bay never goes dark mid-session |
Keep it on |
| Add SimLock data folder to Windows Defender exclusions (improves database performance) | Excludes C:\ProgramData\SimLock from real-time scanning |
Keep it on |
| Block Windows Update auto-reboot while a user is signed in | Stops Windows from rebooting the bay during play | Keep it on |
Hardening applies to the whole PC
The kiosk hardening policies affect every Windows user on that PC, not just SimLock. Leave them unchecked if you are installing on an office PC to try SimLock out. Uninstalling SimLock removes the registry policies it added.
On the final page two boxes are checked:
- Start SimLock Monitor starts the tray icon right away.
- Open Admin Panel to configure settings opens the login window so you can continue with First-time setup.
Click Finish.
Upgrade an existing install
Run the new installer over the old version. The installer detects the existing copy and asks what to do:
- Yes — Update/Reinstall. Keeps all settings, the customer database and the license activation. This is the normal choice.
- No — Uninstalls the existing version first, then installs. Use this if an install is damaged.
- Cancel — Exits.
The installer stops any running SimLock processes before it copies files, and remembers the task checkboxes you chose last time.
Know the file layout
| Location | Contents |
|---|---|
C:\Program Files (x86)\SimLock\ |
SimLock.exe (lock screen), SimLock.Admin.exe, SimLock.Monitor.exe, SimLock.Launcher.exe, a Tools folder with the Uneekor launcher helpers, and the uninstaller |
C:\ProgramData\SimLock\config.json |
All settings, including activation. Created on first run |
C:\ProgramData\SimLock\customers.db |
Customer database (Reservation Mode) |
C:\ProgramData\SimLock\Videos\ |
Downloaded tutorial videos |
C:\ProgramData\SimLock\Assets\ |
Uploaded logos and backgrounds |
C:\ProgramData\SimLock\yt-dlp.exe, ffmpeg.exe, deno.exe |
Helpers for YouTube downloads. They are not part of the installer; the Admin panel downloads them the first time you click Download Video from URL |
Start Menu entries under SimLock: SimLock Admin, SimLock Monitor, Launch SimLock, and Uninstall SimLock.
Uninstall SimLock
Use Apps & features in Windows Settings, or Uninstall SimLock in the Start Menu. The uninstaller stops the Monitor, the lock screen and the Admin panel, removes the program files, the hardening registry policies and the Defender exclusion, then asks:
Do you want to keep your SimLock data for a future reinstall?
Click Yes to keep C:\ProgramData\SimLock (settings, customers, license, videos). Click No to delete everything.
Deactivate before moving to a new PC
A license activation is tied to the machine. Before you retire a bay PC, open SimLock Admin, go to the Dashboard and click Deactivate so the activation is free for the replacement. See Licensing.