Install & upgrade guide

AntiBrute runs on Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows 11, and Microsoft Windows Server 2016 or later. Installation requires Administrator rights because AntiBrute installs a Windows service and applies Windows Firewall rules.

1. Fresh install

1. Download AntiBrute-Setup-0.1.8.exe from the downloads page.
2. Verify the SHA-256 in PowerShell:

   Get-FileHash .\AntiBrute-Setup-0.1.8.exe -Algorithm SHA256

   The Hash value must match the checksum shown on the downloads page.
3. Right-click the installer and choose Run as administrator.
4. Step through the installer. On the final page, leave Open the AntiBrute dashboard checked to launch the app immediately.
5. Continue to Activate your license.

2. Upgrade an existing install

Run the new installer over the existing installation. AntiBrute 0.1.7 and later stop the Windows service and tray application automatically before replacing files, then start the service again when the install completes.

• Your license key and configuration in C:\ProgramData\AntiBrute\ are preserved.
• If an older release is still running, the installer will close the dashboard and stop the service for you.
• If a file is locked, Windows will finish the replacement on the next reboot.

3. Activate your license

1. Open AntiBrute and go to the About tab.
2. Paste the license key from your purchase email (format ABRT-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX).
3. Click Activate License. The app contacts https://antibrute.com/api/public/license/validate.
4. On success the header shows Licensed. Click Restart Windows Service to enable protection (Windows will prompt for UAC).

Standard plans are single-seat. The key is bound to the server's machine ID on first successful activation. Activating the same key on a second server returns “Activation limit reached for this license” — the second server keeps running its free trial.

Didn't receive your key after purchase? Check spam/junk, then contact support.

4. SmartScreen & antivirus

Until our OV code-signing certificate is enabled, Windows SmartScreen may warn “Windows protected your PC — Unknown publisher”. After verifying the SHA-256, click More info, then Run anyway.

If ESET, Defender, or another antivirus quarantines the installer, add C:\Program Files\AntiBrute\ and C:\ProgramData\AntiBrute\ as exclusions and re-run the installer.

5. File locations

• Program files: C:\Program Files\AntiBrute\
• Configuration & data: C:\ProgramData\AntiBrute\ (preserved on upgrade)
• Service log: C:\ProgramData\AntiBrute\logs\service.log (local timestamps)
• Windows service name: AntiBruteService

6. Troubleshooting

• Installer fails with “Administrator privileges required”: right-click the installer and choose Run as administrator.
• Activation says “Activation limit reached”: the key is already bound to another machine. Buy a Multi-Server license or contact support to rebind.
• Header still shows “Trial: X days left” after activation: restart the AntiBrute Windows service from the About tab.
• Log timestamps look wrong: AntiBrute 0.1.4+ writes logs in local time. The footer of the Logs tab shows the offset (e.g. UTC+02).