Shadowfix™ FAQ

Common questions about privacy, licensing, and installation.

Privacy & Data

Does Shadowfix collect my data?

No. Nothing leaves your machine unless you explicitly opt in to telemetry — and even then, what's sent is minimal and anonymous (see below).

What happens if I opt in to telemetry?

Only patch failure information is reported: the patch ID, patch name, error message, your Shadowfix version, and your Windows version. No identity, no machine identifier, nothing that could be linked back to you. We use this data solely to improve patch reliability. You can opt out at any time in Settings.

Do you know who I am?

No, and that's by design. Shadowfix is built on an anonymous purchase model. We do not collect your name, email address, or any personally identifying information. Your license key validates your subscription — it is not linked to your identity.

Where is my license stored?

Locally, in Windows Credential Manager — the same secure storage Windows uses for saved passwords. It is never written to disk in plaintext and never leaves your machine.

What does Shadowfix store on my machine?

Registry (HKCU\SOFTWARE\Shadowridge\Shadowfix): Your app preferences — view mode, theme, window position, notification settings. Nothing else.
Windows Credential Manager: Your license key and seat key, encrypted by Windows.
ProgramData\Shadowridge\Shadowfix\Logs\verify.log: A local log of each automatic verify run — what was checked, what was re-applied, any errors. This log stays on your machine. It is never sent anywhere.

How Shadowfix Works

What does Shadowfix actually do?

Shadowfix applies privacy patches to Windows — registry values, service startup states, and scheduled task states — that reduce telemetry, advertising, location tracking, and other data collection built into Windows. Every patch shows you exactly what it changes, before and after.

Windows keeps resetting my privacy settings after updates. Can Shadowfix fix that?

Yes — and this is one of the core reasons Shadowfix exists. Windows routinely resets privacy-related settings after feature updates. Shadowfix installs a background Scheduled Task that runs automatically, checks every patch you've enabled, and silently re-applies anything Windows has reverted. You don't have to do anything. You can see exactly what was checked and re-applied in the History tab.

Will Shadowfix break anything?

Recommended patches are safe for all users — they are high-impact, well-tested, and applied by default. Optional patches are safe but opinionated; read what each one does before applying. Advanced patches are power-user level and may affect Windows functionality — they are unchecked by default and shown with a warning. Every change is fully reversible from the History tab at any time.

What are the severity levels?

Recommended: Safe, high-impact patches applied by default with one click.
Optional: Safe but opinionated — you should understand what each one does before applying.
Advanced: Power-user patches that may affect Windows functionality. Unchecked by default, with a warning.

Does Shadowfix require administrator privileges?

Some patches modify system-level registry keys or Windows services and require administrator rights. Shadowfix will prompt for elevation via the standard Windows UAC dialog when needed — only for the specific operations that require it. The installer itself also requires administrator privileges.

Will my antivirus flag Shadowfix?

Shadowfix is signed with an EV (Extended Validation) code signing certificate, which establishes verified publisher identity and significantly reduces false positive flags from antivirus and Windows Defender SmartScreen. If you do see a warning from security software, it is a false positive. You can verify the publisher signature on the installer before running it.

Can I undo changes?

Yes. Every fix can be individually reverted, and entire sessions can be undone from the History tab. Shadowfix records the before and after state for every change it makes.

Can I export my activity history?

Yes. The History tab lets you export any batch or your full history as a plain-text report — patch name, action, before/after state, and result.

Installation & Updates

What version of Windows does Shadowfix require?

Shadowfix requires Windows 11. No earlier versions are supported or tested.

How do I install Shadowfix?

Download the installer from shadowridgesystems.com/product/shadowfix. Run the installer, accept the license agreement, and Shadowfix will be ready. Some patches require administrator privileges — the installer requests the necessary elevation.

How does Shadowfix update itself?

Shadowfix checks for updates automatically. When one is available, you'll see a notification. Updates are optional unless a version falls below the minimum supported version, in which case core functionality is restricted until you update. All update installers are SHA-256 verified before installation.

Can I remove Shadowfix completely?

Yes. Uninstall through Windows Settings or Control Panel like any other application. The uninstaller removes:

The Shadowfix application and all its files
The Shadowfix registry keys under HKCU\SOFTWARE\Shadowridge\Shadowfix
The Windows Scheduled Task registered at install
The Start Menu and Desktop shortcuts

If Shadowfix is the only Shadowridge product on your machine, the parent Shadowridge registry key is removed as well. Nothing is left behind.

Licensing

What license types are available?

Monthly, Annual, and Lifetime subscriptions are available. Trial, Beta, Complimentary, Press, and Reviewer licenses are also supported. See the pricing page for current options.

What happens when my license expires?

Trial and subscription licenses expire. You'll see the expiry status in the License tab in Settings. After expiry, Shadowfix will prompt you to renew.

Can I use Shadowfix on multiple machines?

Yes. A paid license (Monthly, Annual, or Lifetime) covers up to 3 devices. Install Shadowfix on each machine and activate it with the same license key.

Each activation binds to that machine's hardware — not to you. To move a license to a new PC — or after a change big enough that Shadowfix reads a different machine, such as a clean Windows reinstall — deactivate the old device from the License tab in Settings to free its slot, then activate the new one.

Trial and evaluation licenses are single-device. Need more devices or have another licensing question? Contact us at [email protected].