Start here · Overview
Start here
Overview
What SimLock does, the two operating modes, and the three programs that make it work.
SimLock is a full-screen lock screen for Windows golf-simulator bays. It sits in front of your simulator software and decides when a golfer may use the bay. Returning golfers unlock with a 4-digit code or a reservation. First-time golfers watch a tutorial video before they play. Staff manage everything from a password-protected Admin panel.
The splash screen is the first thing a golfer sees in Process Monitor mode.
Choose an operating mode
SimLock runs in one of two modes. You pick the mode in the Admin panel under General > Operating Mode, and you can switch at any time.
| Mode | When the lock screen appears | How a golfer gets in |
|---|---|---|
| Process Monitor (default) | The moment your simulator software starts (for example gspro.exe) |
Taps Returning Golfer and enters the 4-digit unlock code, or taps First Time? Watch Tutorial and watches the video to the end |
| Reservation Mode | Always. The bay shows an idle screen until a booking starts | A Google Calendar event for this bay becomes active, the golfer's name appears, and they tap Tap to start |
Process Monitor mode
Use this mode for walk-in play or when you sell time at the counter. SimLock watches for one process name. When that process starts, the lock screen launches on top of it. Nobody can reach the simulator until they unlock. When the golfer unlocks, the lock screen closes and SimLock waits for the next launch of the monitored program.
Reservation Mode
Use this mode when golfers book bays online and the bookings land in Google Calendar. SimLock syncs the calendar for this bay, shows a personalised welcome screen when a booking is active, hides itself while the golfer plays, and relocks the bay when the booking ends. It also keeps a customer database so it knows who has visited before. Reservation Mode needs a Google account connection; see Calendar.
One mode per bay
Each kiosk PC runs its own copy of SimLock with its own settings. Different bays can run different modes.
Know the three programs
The installer puts three programs in the SimLock folder. You will mostly use the first two.
| Program | What it is | How you use it |
|---|---|---|
SimLock.Admin.exe — SimLock Admin |
The configuration panel | Open it from the Start Menu or desktop shortcut, log in with the admin password, change settings, click Save |
SimLock.Monitor.exe — SimLock Monitor |
A small background program with a shield icon in the system tray | It starts with Windows, watches for the simulator process or the calendar, and launches the lock screen when needed. Right-click the icon for Open Admin Panel, Launch Lock Screen, Reload Config and Exit; an End Maintenance Mode item appears only while a Manager Override is active. Every tray action except End Maintenance Mode asks for the admin password |
SimLock.exe — the lock screen |
The full-screen kiosk window golfers interact with | You rarely start it yourself. The Monitor launches it automatically. The Admin panel's Test button launches it on demand |
A fourth file, SimLock.Launcher.exe, is a convenience shortcut that checks for the .NET runtime and then starts SimLock.exe. The Start Menu entry Launch SimLock points at it.
The Admin panel opens on the Dashboard, which shows license status, the current mode and recent activity.
Understand what the lock screen blocks
While the lock screen is up, SimLock blocks the Windows key, Alt+Tab, Alt+F4, Alt+Esc and Ctrl+Esc. If you accepted the kiosk hardening options during install, the Ctrl+Alt+Del screen also loses Task Manager, Lock, Sign out, Switch user and Change password, the PC never sleeps on AC power, and Windows Update will not reboot while someone is signed in.
Staff can always get out. A Manager Override button in the top-right corner of the lock screen accepts the admin password and unlocks the kiosk until you relock it. See The lock screen, screen by screen.
Know where your data lives
All settings and data are stored in C:\ProgramData\SimLock:
| File or folder | Contents |
|---|---|
config.json |
Every setting from the Admin panel, including activation |
customers.db |
The customer database used by Reservation Mode |
Videos\ |
Downloaded tutorial videos |
Assets\ |
Logos and background images you upload |
The installer keeps this folder when you upgrade, and asks whether to keep it when you uninstall.