Getting started — Install and start

What you need

  • Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
  • .NET Framework 4.8 or later (Windows 10/11 usually already have it)
  • The download zip for NEXTGEN Widget Encrypt3

The zip contains NextGenWigetEncrypt3.exe and NextGenWigetEncrypt3.exe.config. Keep both in the same folder after you extract.

Install

  1. Download the zip and extract it to a folder you will keep, for example
    C:\Program Files\NEXTGEN Widget Encrypt3\
    or a folder under Documents.
  2. Open the extracted folder and confirm both files are there:
    • NextGenWigetEncrypt3.exe
    • NextGenWigetEncrypt3.exe.config
      and the Help folder if it was included.
  3. Do not separate the exe from the .config file. Do not copy only the exe to the Desktop.
  4. Optional: create a shortcut to the exe on the Desktop or Start menu.
  5. If Windows marks the files as blocked (downloaded from the web), right-click each file → Properties → Unblock → OK.

You do not need Administrator rights to run the program. Per-user Explorer integration is turned on later from Settings.

A purchased license is locked to one PC. After you start the program, Help → About shows the machine code for that computer. If you replace the PC, send the new machine code with your purchase email so a replacement license can be issued. Only one replacement is included per purchase.

First start

  1. Double-click NextGenWigetEncrypt3.exe in the extracted folder (or use your shortcut).
  2. If this is an evaluation copy, the license / evaluation window appears first. Choose Continue Evaluation or enter a license code. Closing an expired evaluation exits the program.
  3. The sign-in window opens.

No vault yet

  1. Choose Create account.
  2. Enter a username and a login password (and confirm it). This password protects the vault, not an OpenPGP key.
  3. Complete creation, then sign in with the same username and password.

Vault already exists

  1. Enter your username and password.
  2. After three wrong passwords the program exits.
  3. On a successful sign-in you should see the key store (empty until you compose or import keys).

After sign-in (once)

  1. Open Settings → Key store and note the vault path (.ngw3). That file is your key database.
  2. Optional: Settings → Security — set idle lock and, if you want, Explorer Encrypt/Decrypt for this user.
  3. Optional: Settings → Software update & license — allow a check every 30 days.
  4. Open Help → About to confirm version, build date, and machine code.

If the program does not start

  • Extract the zip again and confirm the .config file sits next to the exe.
  • Run the exe from that folder, not a lone copy of the exe.
  • Evaluation expired: start again only with a valid license or a new evaluation, per the license window.

Next

Go to Getting started → Create your first key (or Import a key) after the key store is on screen.