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For staff: install Guard and connect to the office server

What you will do: install the Prixl Guard app on your Windows computer, type in the code your office sent you, and then open Remote Desktop to reach the office server. You do the installation once. After that, you open Guard whenever you want to work on the office server.

Time: about 10 minutes the first time. You need:

  • A Windows computer (64-bit) with internet. Guard does not work on a Mac, iPhone, iPad or Android phone.
  • The invite code from your office. It is a long line of 26 letters and numbers. It works once and only for 24 hours.
  • The server address to use in Remote Desktop. Your office gives you this; it is also shown in the Guard app once you are connected.
  • An administrator password for this computer, or your office IT person sitting with you. Windows asks for it when you install Guard.
  • Your usual Windows username and password for the office server.

Part 1: Install Guard (one time only)

  1. On your computer, open this link to download the installer: https://downloads.prixl.io/guard/PrixlGuard.msi. The same link is in the email from your office.
  1. Open the downloaded file PrixlGuard.msi (usually in your Downloads folder).
  2. A window shows the licence agreement. Tick the box to accept it, then click Install.
  3. Windows asks whether to allow the app to make changes. Click Yes. If Windows asks for an administrator’s name and password instead, ask your office IT person to type it in.
  1. When the installation finishes, Guard opens by itself. Windows may ask for permission again: click Yes.

Part 2: Enter your invite code (one time only)

  1. A small window called Prixl Guard – Setup opens. It says Enter the invite code provided by your admin:.
  2. Copy the whole code from the email or message, then click in the box marked Invite code and paste it (hold Ctrl and press V). Do not type it by hand; it is easy to mix up letters. Capital or small letters and extra spaces do not matter.
  3. Click Connect. The window shows Connecting… for a moment, then closes.

Do not close the setup window before clicking Connect. If you do, Guard closes too; open it again from the Start menu and repeat steps 6 to 8.

Part 3: Check that Guard is connected

  1. Look at the bottom-right corner of the screen, near the clock. A Prixl Guard icon appears there. If you cannot see it, click the small up arrow (^) next to the clock to show hidden icons.
  2. Rest the mouse pointer on the icon. When it says Prixl Guard – Connected | RDP to followed by an address, you are connected. That address is the one you will use in Remote Desktop. Windows may also show a short message Connected to with your own address.

Part 4: Open Remote Desktop to the office server

  1. Click the Start button, type Remote Desktop Connection and open it.
  2. In the Computer box, type the server address your office gave you, which is the same address Guard shows after “RDP to”. Your office may give it with a colon and a number at the end. If so, type it exactly like that, colon and number included. Do not use the server’s old address or name from before Guard.
  3. Click Connect and sign in with your usual Windows username and password for the office server. Guard does not change your password.

Tip: once it works, save the connection to your desktop in Remote Desktop (Show Options, then Save As) so you do not have to type the address again.

Every working day after this

  1. Guard does not start by itself when you switch on the computer. Click Start, find Prixl Guard and open it.
  2. Windows asks for permission each time Guard starts. Click Yes.
  3. Guard connects on its own. Wait until the icon near the clock says Connected, then open your saved Remote Desktop connection.
  4. When you finish, click the Guard icon (or right-click it) and choose Disconnect, or Quit to close Guard completely. The connection to the office only works while Guard is open.

Known issue: Windows asks for an administrator password every time

Guard needs administrator permission to make its secure connection. If your Windows account on this computer is not an administrator account, Windows may ask for an administrator’s password every time you open Guard, not only when you install it. This is a known limitation of the current app. Ask your office IT person what to do: they can enter the password for you, or arrange a different set-up for your computer. Do not ask a colleague to share their own password.

Check it worked

  • The Guard icon near the clock says Connected.
  • Remote Desktop opens the office server’s sign-in screen and you can sign in.

If something goes wrong

  • An error appears after you click Connect with a word such as INVITE_EXPIRED or INVITE_ALREADY_REDEEMED: the code is too old or already used. Ask your office for a new code.
  • The icon stays on “Connecting…” or says “Connection Failed”: check your internet, wait a minute, then click the icon and choose Connect. If it still fails, tell your office IT person.
  • A message says “Prixl Guard is already running”: Guard is already open. Look for its icon near the clock (click the ^ arrow).
  • Guard says Connected but Remote Desktop cannot reach the server: check that you typed the address Guard shows after “RDP to”, including any colon and number. More help for your IT person: Troubleshooting Guard.

If several people share this computer, each person who signs in to Windows needs their own invite code.

Next

For admins: previous Invite a staff member, next Lock Remote Desktop to Secure Access only. Back to Prixl Guard (Secure Access) guides.