Issue with Excel autosave

I have realized about a potential gap in the protection of XLSPADLOCK that I would like to clarify.
If the Excel option “autosave” is activated then the original uncompiled Excel workbook is saved automatically by Windows in the defined path.
In my case my original workbook is Application.xlsb and after closing without saving Windows has saved a workbook called “Application(Unsaved-nnn)).xlsb” which is my original uncompiled workbook (nnn is a long number generated by Windows).
How is this possible? If this is happening in the client PC anyone can have my original workbook without the protection of XLSPADLOCK.

I have tested this issue with Windows 7 + Excel 2010 32 bits and Windows 10 + Exce 2016 32 bits.
My current XLSPADLOCK is V2.1

Can this be avoided unmarking the autosave option of Excel when generating the .EXE ?

It’s a problem but fortunately this can be avoided in XLS Padlock (if you use formulas, VBA code compilation, this is already a good mean to avoid copying) but also this option:


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This will prevent Excel from creating autosave files.

We’ll also disable the autosave feature in next release.

I can not use the option you suggest because my application needs to open other workbooks.

Sorry to say this is a major security gap in XLSPADLOCK. You have an excellent tool that I have been using for more than 1 year but I am really surprised the possibility to disable autosave is not already there.
My situation now is bad because probably most of my clients have in their PCs my application in the uncompiled excel format. All my efforts to protect the file are now in serious risk.
I am using hardware locked protection with 1 year time limitation.

Please release urgently a new version with the option to disable the excel autosave feature.

It’s already under research. Even if a user manages to extract the Excel workbook, if you used password protection or XLS Padlock built-in features such as formula protection, VBA lock or better the VBA compiler, your unpacked workbook will not function properly.

I am using password protection in all sheets and the workbook structure but this is a weak protection if the user has the excel in .XLSX format. As you know, from this format it’s quite simple to unprotect the whole workbook. It is well explainned in internet.

It’s exact for Excel versions before 2010 but recent Excel versions use strong encryption.