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The trial is the evaluation period; purchases are final after the license key is emailed. See No refund policy.

Getting started

This walkthrough takes you from the first launch to one successful encrypt and decrypt. Do that before you use the program with real files.

1. Install and start

Copy the program files into a folder you control. You need at least:

  • NextGenWigetEncrypt3.exe
  • NextGenWigetEncrypt3.exe.config

Double-click the executable. If a license or evaluation window appears, continue or enter a license code. If the configuration file is missing, the program cannot run reliably—put the .config back next to the exe.

2. Create your account

On first run there is no vault yet. Choose Create account.

  • Pick a username and a strong login password. Confirm the password.
  • This password opens the vault. It is not the passphrase of an OpenPGP key.
  • The vault file (.ngw3) is created in the default location. You can move it later under Settings → Key store.

Sign in with the same username and password.

3. Meet the key store

After sign-in you see the key grid. That is home. Menus along the top open compose, import, file/folder/text tasks, settings, and help.

If the welcome line reports failed sign-in attempts, someone (or you) typed the login wrong since the last successful sign-in.

4. Add a key

You need at least one key that can encrypt, and a secret key if you will decrypt.

Compose a new pair

Keys → Compose key. Enter name and optional email, choose the algorithm (Ed25519+X25519 is a good default), set expiry or never expire (evaluation copies cannot use “never” and cap new keys at 30 days), set a key passphrase, then create. Optionally mark it verified.

Import a key you already have

Keys → Import, or import from clipboard if you have an armored block (BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY / PRIVATE KEY). Confirm the fingerprint before you trust it.

5. Encrypt a test file

  1. Open File Task.
  2. Choose Encrypt file.
  3. Select a small test file (not your only copy of anything important).
  4. Choose the recipient key (the public key of who should open it).
  5. Optionally turn on ASCII armor and Also encrypt to me if you want a recovery copy for a second key you select.
  6. Encrypt. Note where the output file is saved.

6. Decrypt the same file

  1. Stay on File Task → Decrypt file.
  2. Select the file you just created.
  3. Choose the secret key that should open it and enter that key’s passphrase.
  4. Confirm the restored file matches the original.

If decrypt asks for a passphrase, that is the key password, not the vault login.

7. Optional but useful

  • Settings → Security: idle lock minutes; Explorer right-click Encrypt/Decrypt.
  • Settings → Software update: optional check every 30 days, or Check for update now.
  • Help → About: version, build date, machine code (needed if you buy a license).
  • Back up the vault from the backup command after you have keys you care about. Test that the backup opens before you need it.

If something fails

  • Wrong login three times: the program exits. Start it again and use the vault password.
  • “Policy” or weak key: 1024-bit and similar obsolete keys cannot be used to compose or encrypt. Import may warn; use a stronger key.
  • Expired or revoked key: decrypt with a secret key may still work; encrypt and sign will not.
  • Explorer encrypt while the app is locked: sign in on that prompt, or unlock the running session first.

When this loop works (account → key → encrypt → decrypt), you are ready for folder, text, watch folder, and bulk import. Those are covered in their own topics