Frequently Asked Question

Use this article to install DeskCamera silently, activate a license, and apply settings during deployment.

Important: Run the installer and the first DeskCamera configuration command with administrator privileges.

Silent setup

Use the actual installer file name from your DeskCamera package:

SetupDeskCamera_x64.exe /install /quiet /norestart

If the file name includes a version number, include it in the command.

Installer options

Installer variables use Name=Value. For example:

SetupDeskCamera_x64.exe /install /quiet /norestart InstallFolder="C:\Program Files\DeskCamera" INSTALLREMOTECONTROL=0

Before running DeskCamera commands

• Close DeskCamera first. If it is already running in the same Windows session, the command does not apply its options. For how to stop automatic restarts, see the renewal steps below.
• Every option below needs a value. Put paths or values containing spaces in quotes. Option names are case-insensitive.
• The examples use Command Prompt or batch-file syntax. A caret (^) continues the command on the next line.

If an App Password is set and the installed license is valid, protected settings cannot be changed by command. Remove the App Password before changing those settings, then set it again. For first-time setup, you can include /SetAppPassword in the same command as the other settings.

License renewal is an exception: /ImportAct alone can replace the license without removing the App Password. Follow the renewal steps below.

Test Multi-user mode changes on one PC before deployment. On Windows Server, Remote Desktop hosts and Azure Virtual Desktop, DeskCamera does not allow Shared. Use Per-user. See Multi-user Mode and Lock Settings.

First-time perpetual license setup

Choose one licensing method below. These examples also set the camera login, Multi-user mode, Hidden mode, and App Password. Replace the example paths and passwords with your own.

The camera username and password are the ONVIF login used by the NVR/VMS, not the Windows login or browser management password. See NVR/VMS Asks for a User Name or Password.

Online activation

For PCs with Internet access, use your license file (.lic):

"%ProgramFiles%\DeskCamera\DeskCamera.exe" ^
 /ImportLic "C:\Deploy\LicenseFile.lic" ^
 /SetCameraInstanceMode peruser ^
 /SetCameraUsername onvifUser ^
 /SetCameraPassword onvifPass ^
 /SetHiddenMode 0 ^
 /SetAppPassword appPass

Offline activation

1. Create a request file on the DeskCamera PC:

   "%ProgramFiles%\DeskCamera\DeskCamera.exe" /CreateReq "C:\Deploy\DeskCamera.req"

2. Generate an activation file at the activation portal using the request (.req) and license (.lic) files.

3. Import the activation file and apply the settings:

   "%ProgramFiles%\DeskCamera\DeskCamera.exe" ^
    /ImportAct "C:\Deploy\ActivatedLicense.act" ^
    /SetCameraInstanceMode peruser ^
    /SetCameraUsername onvifUser ^
    /SetCameraPassword onvifPass ^
    /SetHiddenMode 0 ^
    /SetAppPassword appPass

The combined command above is for first-time setup without an existing App Password. Check that the license imported successfully; a rejected activation file does not prevent the other settings from being applied.

Local License Server

Use the server's full URL:

"%ProgramFiles%\DeskCamera\DeskCamera.exe" ^
 /LicServer "http://192.168.1.2:8088" ^
 /SetCameraInstanceMode peruser ^
 /SetCameraUsername onvifUser ^
 /SetCameraPassword onvifPass ^
 /SetHiddenMode 0 ^
 /SetAppPassword appPass

First-time subscription license setup

Use your subscription ID and secret key. /SubSerial must be a GUID and requires /SubSecretKey:

"%ProgramFiles%\DeskCamera\DeskCamera.exe" ^
 /SubSerial "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000" ^
 /SubSecretKey "subscription-secret-key" ^
 /SetCameraInstanceMode peruser ^
 /SetCameraUsername onvifUser ^
 /SetCameraPassword onvifPass ^
 /SetHiddenMode 0 ^
 /SetAppPassword appPass

For a Local Subscription Server, add /SubServer with its full URL, for example /SubServer "https://192.168.1.2:8078". See Use a Subscription Floating License Without Internet Access.

To check the result, press Ctrl+Alt+D. If an App Password is set, type it and click Unlock. Check for Started Cameras (1) and, in License information, Activation: Completed.

Renew or replace a license

You need an activation file (.act) for this PC. If you already have it, skip the three request steps below. Replace the example paths with your own; the request folder must already exist.

If an App Password is set and the installed license is valid, use /ImportAct as the only option. The replacement license must end on the same date or later than the installed license. Do not combine it with settings changes or /CreateReq.

These steps are for the signed-in user's Windows session. Renewal through SCCM, Intune, or the SYSTEM account has not been validated. Test your deployment account before using it on other PCs.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

2. Stop the Watchdog (KeepAliveGuard.exe) first, then DeskCamera, in all Windows sessions. If you stop only DeskCamera, the Watchdog starts it again.

   taskkill /F /IM KeepAliveGuard.exe
   taskkill /F /IM DeskCamera.exe

3. If you do not have the new activation file, create a request on this PC:

   "%ProgramFiles%\DeskCamera\DeskCamera.exe" /CreateReq "C:\Deploy\DeskCamera.req"

   DeskCamera closes after it creates the request.

4. On a computer with Internet access, create the .act file at the License Activation portal from the .req file and your new .lic file.

5. Copy the .act file to the DeskCamera PC.

6. Run the import command. Replace the example path with your activation file:

   "%ProgramFiles%\DeskCamera\DeskCamera.exe" /ImportAct "C:\Deploy\ActivatedLicense.act"

7. Check DeskCamera.log in the folder for the Windows account that ran the command, under C:\ProgramData\DeskCamera\Log. The ProgramData folder is hidden. Paste the path into the File Explorer address bar. Look for was imported or is already installed. See Cannot Import a License Activation File for errors.

8. Restart the PC. DeskCamera and the Watchdog start as usual.

9. In License information, check that Activation shows Completed.

DeskCamera keeps running after /ImportAct. Do not interrupt the import. A command's exit code does not confirm success; check the log.

If /ImportAct rejects the file, the installed license is not changed. If installation fails, DeskCamera attempts to restore the previous license; check the log before restarting. This protection does not apply to importing through the application window.

/ImportLic, /LicServer, and /SubSerial remove the installed license first. A failed activation can leave the PC without a license, so check file paths and server access carefully.

DeskCamera command reference

Use one licensing method per command: /ImportLic, /ImportAct, /LicServer, or /SubSerial with /SubSecretKey. Do not repeat an option.

In managedperuser mode, command-line changes to Hidden mode, App Password, camera username, and camera password are ignored. These changes apply only when the command also switches to shared or peruser.

See Multi-user Mode and Lock Settings, Hide the DeskCamera Tray Icon (Hidden Mode), and Protect DeskCamera with an App Password for these settings.

Example batch files

Download the example batch files for online and offline activation.