N.M STUDIOLINK GUARD
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LINK GUARD · WINDOWS

Windows user guide

A quick start for link checks, code scanning and Guardian.

Get it from Microsoft Store

Follow each numbered action in order. Labels may differ slightly depending on the app version and your device language. If an option is not visible, skip that optional feature and contact support.

01

Install Link Guard from Microsoft Store

  1. Open the Microsoft Store link on this website.
  2. Check the app name Link Guard – Code Scanner and publisher.
  3. Select the available install or subscription option and read the terms.
  4. Wait for Windows to finish installing.
  5. Launch Link Guard from the Start menu.
What to expect: The Link Guard main screen opens.
If it does not work

If the Store reports an error, check your Microsoft account, Windows updates and available storage.

02

Check a link by copying and pasting it

  1. Copy the entire web address.
  2. Open Link Guard.
  3. Find the link-check field and paste the address.
  4. Select the check button.
  5. Read the risk information and verify the real destination before opening it.
What to expect: The result view shows what Link Guard could determine about the link.
If it does not work

A network or service error does not mean the link is safe. Try again later or verify the address independently.

03

Optional: use Link Guard for web links

  1. Open Windows Settings.
  2. Go to Apps and then Default apps.
  3. Find Link Guard in the list, or search for it.
  4. If Windows offers HTTP and HTTPS protocol associations for Link Guard, select them and confirm the requested change.
  5. Test with a harmless link from another application.
What to expect: Supported links can pass through Link Guard according to your Windows associations.
If it does not work

Do not change associations that are not offered. Some applications use their own internal browser and may bypass this setting.

04

Scan a QR code with your camera

  1. Open Link Guard and choose the camera scanning tool.
  2. Choose the correct camera if several are connected.
  3. Allow camera access in Windows Privacy & security settings if prompted.
  4. Place the code fully in view and wait for recognition.
  5. Read the detected content and check any URL before opening it.
What to expect: The application displays the recognized code or link.
If it does not work

Check lighting, camera selection and the Windows camera permission. Try an image file instead if needed.

05

Read a code from an image, clipboard or screen

  1. Choose Image, Clipboard or Screen Capture in the app, whichever is available.
  2. For Image, select a local picture containing the entire QR code.
  3. For Clipboard, copy a supported image or content before using the clipboard option.
  4. For Screen Capture, select the area containing the code when the feature is available.
  5. Review the recognized content and its destination before taking action.
What to expect: Link Guard shows the recognized information when the source is readable.
If it does not work

A small, cropped or blurred code may fail. Capture a larger image and retry. Permission prompts vary by version.

06

Inspect web links inside a PDF

  1. Open the PDF link inspection feature.
  2. Select the PDF file you want to inspect.
  3. Wait for the program to list any web addresses it can extract.
  4. Select the relevant address for a security check.
  5. Only open a link after reviewing its domain and result.
What to expect: Found PDF links appear as a list when extraction is supported.
If it does not work

A scanned or image-only PDF may not have extractable text links. No links found does not prove the PDF is harmless.

07

Open Guardian and read network activity

  1. Open Guardian or Network Watch from the Link Guard main view.
  2. Look for the network-traffic and connection views.
  3. Check that the connection list is updating as your computer uses the network.
  4. Open an individual connection or warning if details are available.
  5. Compare the displayed address, time and status before interpreting an alert.
What to expect: Guardian displays the information supported by your installed version and Windows permissions.
If it does not work

These views concern the computer’s available network data; they do not automatically show every other device connected to your router.

08

Review protected DNS settings

  1. In Guardian, open the DNS settings or Protected DNS section.
  2. Read which provider and protection status are currently shown.
  3. Before changing the DNS provider, record the current setting so you can restore it.
  4. Choose a provider only if the option is available, then apply the change as instructed.
  5. Verify the displayed status after applying the change.
What to expect: The selected option should be reflected in the app when the setting is supported.
If it does not work

A label changing does not by itself prove that Windows DNS traffic changed. If it does not apply, restore the previous configuration and report the issue.

09

Use botnet address protection

  1. In Guardian, open Botnet Protection or Bottivahti.
  2. Check whether the protection control is enabled and whether the current version reports it as active.
  3. If a blocked-address list is available, open it to see what was blocked and why.
  4. Review any allowed manual rules carefully before editing them.
  5. Check the event log for new events during normal computer use.
What to expect: Blocked or suspicious events may appear when the feature detects relevant traffic.
If it does not work

An empty block list does not prove that protection is broken. Do not visit malicious sites to create a test event.

10

View warnings and events

  1. Open Guardian’s event log or alert history.
  2. Choose the recent time range if the interface offers one.
  3. Select an event to examine its time, destination and reason where available.
  4. If there are no events, perform a normal safe link check and review the appropriate log again.
  5. Do not share private addresses or other sensitive details when asking for support.
What to expect: Available event details help explain what the app observed.
If it does not work

If an Open log button opens the wrong location or nothing happens, include that symptom and the app version in a support request.

11

Troubleshooting and support

  1. Check for Link Guard and Windows updates.
  2. Restart Link Guard after changing settings.
  3. For scanning problems, check camera access, file availability and Internet connectivity.
  4. For Guardian issues, note which feature or switch does not work and what status is displayed.
  5. Send the Windows version, Link Guard version and exact error to N.M Studio support without confidential information.
What to expect: A precise description makes it easier to reproduce the issue.
If it does not work

Do not disable Windows security features or change firewall rules merely to make Link Guard work.