EverKey Version 6 Release Notes

2023_07_08 EverKey v6.8.2 Released.

• This release only contains one minor update to the Renew program.  Here is what was changed:
  • Per Customer Request, the Version Number of the Renew program is now shown in the Windows Title Bar.  This makes it easier to insure that the End User is using the latest version of Renew.exe.

2023_04_04 EverKey v6.8.1 Released.

• All the core Date Functions were rewritten to support Calendar Dates thru 2027.  Here is what was changed:
  • Operation and Renewal of Date-Protected software is now supported from 2023 thru 2027.  Software without a Date Limit did not have issues and will continue to work for the foreseeable future.  However in prior versions, Date-Protected software would typically fail with Error 6144-xxxx-xxxx (Program is being operated prior to Last Time/Date used).  Also in prior versions, the Renewal of Date-Protected software after January, 2023 would typically fail with Error 6074-xxxx-xxxx (Could not Renew the specified Limit).  In order to use Date-Protected software from 2023 thru 2027, the Rockeys and Renew Codes will need to be built with the latest KeyBuild program and your Customer will have to use the latest version of the Renew program. 

2022_08_27 EverKey v6.7.5 Released.

• This release has core updates to add compatiblility with the Microsoft compiler used to build the Release versions of all the EverKey programs.  Here is what was changed:
  • Compiler Optimization was "breaking" the Release version of the Renew program so that it sometimes produced an Error Code instead of performing the Renew operation. We changed our code to prevent this from happening but since it was in core modules, all EverKey programs were rebuilt to prevent future unpredictable errors.

2015_02_03 Renew v6.7.3 Released.

• This release adds some additional backward-compatibility and a little polish to the Version 6 Renew program.  Here is what was changed:
  • Support was added for a new /T Command-Line option.  This option specifies a Terse mode for messages so that the "Number of Days Added" or "Number of Runs Added" is not displayed once the Renew operation completes successfully.  This is similar to the information displayed in the Version 2 Renew32 program.  For Developers that don't wish to use a Command-Line option, the Terse mode will be used if the Renew program is renamed to Reset.exe.
  • The Error Summary Messages used in the Title Line was shortened so they were not truncated when certain Windows themes and fonts were being used.  The full text explanation of the Error in the Message Box was not changed.

2014_11_09 Version 6.7.2 Released.

• Rewrote the C#, C++ and Visual Basic Example Source Code programs that demonstrate how to use the KeyChk DLL.  Now all programs use the same method of operation and display the same SCB fields with the same screen layout.  Also added lots of Comments to explain what the code is doing. 
• To simplify usage and documentation, added the internal function name of KeyChk to both the Win32 and x64 versions of the KeyChk DLL.  All other function names (KECHK, KECHK32, KECHK64 and KEYCHK) were kept to preserve backward compatibility with all existing Source Code.  Updated the KeyHammer and KeyHammer64 programs to use the new function name.
• Updated the KeyBuild Defaults for the "Build Key" panel to use non-Unlimited values for the "Uses Limit" and "Time Limit" options.  This makes it much easier for new Users to learn how to use EverKey for producing Trials and Evaluation packages. 

2014_09_28 KeyBuild and Renew v6.7.1 Released.

• A new option was added to the KeyBuild Renew Codes panel to specify if the built Renew Codes will Expire in 7 days.  Previously, Renew Codes could be used at any time.  The KeyBuild Build Renew Codes Summary dialog and KeyBuild Log now reflect what type of Renew Code was built, Expiring or Non-Expiring. 
• The Renew program was updated to support Expiring Renew Codes.  Non-Expiring Renew Codes are still supported and are backward compatible with previous versions. 
• KeyBuild Batch Mode support for the /F Command-Line option was updated:
  • You can now preceed any Feature-Flag# with a Minus sign to indicate that all specified Feature-Flags will be turned OFF. 
  • You can now easily specify all 16 Feature-Flags as a hexadecimal word value. 

2014_06_20 Version 6.6.4 Released.

• The Renew Codes panel was added to the KeyBuild program.  Previously, Renew Codes were built with the separate Kecodes program, which is no longer needed.  Built codes are fully backward-compatible with earlier versions of the Renew program, v2.31.009 and later. 
• Updated Renew to report exactly what was updated by the Renew operation. 
• Updated KeyShow to report more details about the Key's Time Limit.  For example, it will now display the both the Expire-Date and Expire-Time.  If a Key has already expired, it will display the date that the Key expired. 
• Made minor tweaks to KeyBuild, KeyShow and Renew Logging to improve readability. 
• Made minor tweaks to KeyBuild entry of numeric fields to eliminate popup errors when invalid characters are entered. 
• Renew was incorrectly reporting Error 6073 caused by a Bug in a date calculation function.  This was fixed. 
• KeyShow Logging was Turned On by default.  This was fixed to be Turned Off by default. 

2014_02_09 Renew v6.6.3 Released.

• This is the first release of Renew in EverKey Version 6.  There are MANY improvements since Renew32 Version 2.  Here are the major features:
  • The program name "Renew32" was changed to simply "Renew" since this Release works with all recent Windows platforms. 
  • The User Interface was completely redesigned to make operation much simpler and easier for the End User. 
  • Renew now works with the Newer and Faster Driverless Rockey4ND Keys.  Older Rockey4 Keys produced by any version of EverKey are still fully supported.
  • This Release supports the new Feature-Flags which can be Turned On, Off or Set with a Version 6 Renew Code.  For backward compatibility, Renew supports all types of Renew Codes used by EverKey Version 2, including updates to the User-Data Flags.
  • The Renew program can be renamed and when this is done, the program "assumes" the identity of the new Name for all prompts and messages.
  • Renew now supports Logging which is turned Off by default.  When turned On, all program activity is stamped with the local Date and Time so you have an easy-to-read record of exactly what was done and when it was done. 
  • Support for Batch Mode was added, which allows Renew to be run from a parent program or batch file.  This gives you the ability to reduce human error by automating the entire Renew process. 
  • When a "Number of Days" is added to a Time Limit that has already expired, the "Number of Days" is now added to the current Date.  Previously, the "Number of Days" was added to the original Expiration-Date.
  • Error Processing was redesigned and expanded so the 12-digit Error Code provides more information to diagnose what went wrong.
  • This Release supports all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP-SP2 thru Windows 8.1, including Pro and Enterprise Editions.  Windows RT (ARM Tablet) is not supported.

2013_12_13 KeyChk v6.6.3 Released.

• The only update to this version of KeyChk is to support older languages, such as VisualBasic6, that do not automatically terminate a string field. 

2013_11_19 Version 6.6.2 Released.

• KeyBuild was updated to support the /I Command-Line Option to set all 3 Registration Information fields of Name, Company and Other, while operating in Batch Mode. 
• KeyBuild now supports an additional method of using the /U Command-Line Option so up to all 16 bytes of the User-Data can be set when operating in Batch Mode.  Previously, only the User-Data Flags (last 2 bytes) could be set with /U. 
• KeyBuild now Logs the Description field from the Options File when Building Keys. 
• KeyHammer Defaults were changed to use '0' as the Serial Number.  This makes the Utility more friendly to new Users. 
• KeyShow now saves an entered PIN, even if it is incorrect for the currently shown Key.  This allows that PIN to be used to display the User-Data of Keys that are shown later, before KeyShow is Quit. 
• KeyBuild received a Bugfix to not ignore the Preferences setting for Key Types Allowed To Build, unless it's operating in Batch Mode. 

2013_11_08 Version 6.6.1 Released.

• This is the first release of KeyBuild in EverKey Version 6.  There are MANY improvements since Kebuild Version 2.  Here are the major features:
  • This Release supports all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP-SP2 thru Windows 8.1, including Pro and Enterprise Editions.  Windows RT (ARM Tablet) is not supported.
  • The Driverless and Faster Rockey4ND Keys are supported. 
  • You can now program multiple Keys at once, up to 10 Keys. 
  • Rockey4 Keys Built with KeyBuild v6 are completely backward compatible with ALL Version 2 programs. 
  • 16 Feature-Flags have been added to make it easy to sell add-on Products without shipping a new Key.  Feature-Flags can be turned On, Off or Set with the Version 6 Renew program.  They are completely separate from the User-Data.
  • Registration Information can now be securely stored in each Key.  There's room for Name, Company and Other (Email, Phone, etc.).  All three fields support Unicode for non-English characters.  Registration Information can be retrieved by KeyChk and displayed with KeyShow. 
  • KeyBuild now supports Logging which is turned on by default.  All program activity is stamped with the local Date and Time so you have an easy-to-read record of exactly what was done and when it was done. 
  • Unicode characters can be used for the Product-ID, Options File Description and Encryption-Key.  Also, the User-Data is displayed as both a UTF-8 and UTF-16 Unicode string. 
  • Support for Batch Mode operation has been expanded to include every Build Option. 
• KeyShow received a Bugfix to display the Feature-Flags correctly.

2013_10_13 Version 6.6.0 Released.

• The main purpose of this release is to add support for internal features used by all programs.  Logging, Saved Preferences, Increased Unicode Support and Batch Mode are the major additions to this version's functionality. 
• KeyShow now supports optional Logging of all program activity to a human-readable text file.  Non-English Key-IDs will now be displayed properly and the User-Data is displayed as both UTF-8 and UTF-16 Unicode strings.  Batch Mode was added, which allows KeyShow to be run from a parent program or batch file.  This gives you the ability to reduce human error by automating your quality control test procedures. 
• Both the 32-bit and 64-bit KeyChk DLLs now support Product-IDs with non-English UTF-8 Unicode characters. 
• The KeyHammer Utility program now saves the SCB values last used so you don't have to re-enter them on the next run.  The Product PIN is encrypted in the saved Preferences.  And, of course, non-English Product-IDs are now supported. 

2013_05_18 KeyChk v6.5.8 Released.

• This version of KeyChk has been optimized to dramatically reduce the total number of writes to the Rockey.  Not only does this increase the speed of a KEYCHK call, it significantly reduces the chance of corruption (Error 6021) since that can only occur if a write is interrupted.
• The Win32 version of this DLL has been renamed to KeyChk.dll and the API function is now KEYCHK.  Previously, the v6 DLL module was named KeyChk32.dll and the function was KEYCHK32.  This proved to be very confusing to early adopters.  For compatiblity, your source code can still call KECHK32 or KEYCHK32 as the API Function.  The x64 DLL module is still named KeyChk64.dll and the x64 API Function is KEYCHK64.

2013_03_29 KeyShow v6.5.7 Released.

• Support 16-byte User-Data area completely separate from 16 Feature-Flags.
• User-Data can be revealed by providing the User-Data PIN.  Previous versions required the Secret Product PIN.
• Rockey4ND Keys are supported under all versions of Windows 8 Pro.
• Demo operation built-in to show how KeyShow works.
• Previously named Keshow.exe.

2012_07_25 KeyChk v6.5.5 Released.

• First public release at Version 6. 
• Released separate DLLs for Win32 and x64 platforms. 
• KeyChk64.dll is a new module.  KeyChk32.dll was previously named Kechk32.dll.

2011_03_08 AzRockey.exe v6.2.6 Released.

• Fixed Operating System identification that was failing on the Service Pack 2 release of Windows Vista Business Edition. 
• Rebuilt the Setup EXE with the latest version of all libraries to minimize the chance of future incompatibilities. 

2010_02_23 Keshow.exe v6.2.5 Released.

• More explanatory messages are displayed when no Keys are found and the Rockey4 drivers have not been installed. 
• You may now enter up to 8 PINs as Command-Line options. 
• PINs that are entered on the Command-Line or through the "?" Help buttons are now "remembered" until Keshow is closed. 
• Froze all feature updates to the core internals in order to complete the new KeyChk and KeyBuild programs. 

2010_02_20 AzRockey.exe v6.2.5 Released.

• Updated to include the latest Rockey4 Device Drivers from Feitian. 
• These Device Drivers offer better support for Windows 7. 

2010_02_17 Keshow.exe v6.2.4 Released.

• Beta status has been dropped which means that all feature updates to the core internals have been frozen. 
• Support was added for separate PINs for the Feature-Flags and User-Data.  Now you can selectively display the Feature-Flags and/or User-Data without divulging the Product's "secret" Primary PIN. 
• Help buttons "?" now display explanations why information is not shown if there is an Error or a PIN is required. 
• The "Expire Date" is now displayed in the correct format based on the System Local Region settings. 
• Many cosmetic and usability improvements. 
• All iButton support was removed to simplify the system. 

2009_10_22 AzRockey.exe v6.2.4 Released.

• Supports for "silent install" was added so you can suppress all Az-Tech screens and logos. 
• The Installation Engine was upgraded to the latest version so all Windows 7 editions would be supported. 

2008_03_31 Keshow.exe v6.2.3 Beta Released.

• The Rockey4ND "fingerprint" needed to be changed for stronger security and better compatibility. 
• iButton support was added for Parallel Holders. 
• Diagnostic messages for missing Device Drivers were added to eliminate the need for a separate Azshow.exe program. 

2007_10_21 AzRockey.exe v6.2.2 Released.

• This single-click setup program makes it EASY to install the latest Rockey4 Device Drivers on any 32-bit or 64-bit system from Windows 2000 thru Vista, including Server Editions.  It replaces both InstDrv32.exe and InstDrv64.exe setup programs. 

2007_09_17 Keshow.exe v6.2.2 Beta Released.

• The display of Rockey4ND devices was enabled even though all devices will show up with a 6021 Error because they have not been programmed with Everkey.exe.  You can now show the presence and Lasered-ID of all inserted Rockey4 and Rockey4ND devices.
• The display of the User-Data was changed to show all 16 bytes instead of 14.
• The ASCII and Unicode character display of the User-Data was changed to show all characters even if there are terminator characters embedded in the string.  An embedded terminator character (binary zero) is represented by a "." (period).

2007_08_28 Keshow.exe v6.2.1 Beta Released.