Question 1

How does BirdGuard complement Microsoft Defender?

Accepted Answer

BirdGuard focuses on Windows security and privacy settings. Keep Microsoft Defender turned on: it continues to protect you against malicious files.

Question 2

Do I have to use the AI assistant?

Accepted Answer

No. The AI assistant is off by default. Without it BirdGuard works in full, just with pre-written texts.

Question 3

What exactly is sent to AI?

Accepted Answer

Only a description of the finding after anonymisation – without user names, paths, IP addresses and device names. You see the exact text before it is sent.

Question 4

Can a fix break something?

Accepted Answer

Every fix is applied only after your approval and stores the original state. If you do not like something, you undo it with one click.

Question 5

How much does BirdGuard cost?

Accepted Answer

We are preparing BirdGuard as a free app without ads. The optional AI assistant requires your own API key from Anthropic.

Question 6

Does it support Windows 10?

Accepted Answer

We are currently targeting Windows 11. Windows 10 support is not planned.

Question 7

Do I need administrator rights?

Accepted Answer

Fixing system settings requires an account with administrator rights. Make a change only after you have read its impact.

Question 8

How many system resources does BirdGuard use?

Accepted Answer

BirdGuard is designed to be a lightweight helper: around 0.02–0.2 % of the processor and on the order of 45 MB of memory at rest (measured in limited mode without administrator rights). Actual usage may vary depending on your computer and current activity.

Question 9

Is using the AI free too?

Accepted Answer

We are preparing BirdGuard as a free app without ads. The optional Claude assistant uses your own API key; its use may be charged according to Anthropic's terms and price list.

Question 10

When will BirdGuard be available?

Accepted Answer

We are preparing version 1.0 and are not promising a fixed date yet. On the Download page you can sign up for a single notification at launch.

Question 11

Does BirdGuard send data about my computer?

Accepted Answer

No. Checks and monitoring run locally; the app has no account, no author's server and no telemetry. On its own it only downloads public lists, and data about you leaves only on your explicit action, for example when you ask the AI.

Question 12

Will BirdGuard change settings without my knowledge?

Accepted Answer

No. Every fix is applied only after your approval and you see beforehand what will change. A change that has been made can be undone in History.

Question 13

Do I have to install BirdGuard?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the chosen mode. You can run a one-off check without installing, or turn on permanent protection in the background with change monitoring.

Question 14

Does BirdGuard need an internet connection?

Accepted Answer

Basic checks run locally. The internet is needed only for optional features (the AI assistant, password or e-mail breach checks, verifying a file on VirusTotal) and for downloading public lists, for example of malicious addresses.

Question 15

What happens when I undo a fix?

Accepted Answer

Before a fix BirdGuard stores the original state of the setting. Undoing restores the setting to how it was before the fix, and a record of that stays in History.

Question 16

Does BirdGuard work on a work computer?

Accepted Answer

On a work computer the settings may be managed by your organisation, so some fixes may not be possible. In that case contact your IT administrator.

Question 17

Where is the key for the AI assistant stored?

Accepted Answer

In Windows Credential Manager. Never in files, the registry or logs. Never attach the key to a bug report.

Question 18

Is my file uploaded to VirusTotal?

Accepted Answer

No. A file check runs only on request and only its digital fingerprint is sent, never the file itself.

Question 19

What if I do not have administrator rights?

Accepted Answer

BirdGuard will run in limited mode. Checks work, but short-lived processes and connections may be missed and some fixes cannot be applied.

Question 20

What is AI agent oversight and what can it stop?

Accepted Answer

BirdGuard records the sessions of AI agents (for example Claude Code): which programs they launched, which files they read and changed and where they connected. By default it only records. You can stop a suspicious session; its whole process tree is terminated.

Question 21

Does BirdGuard read the content of my files?

Accepted Answer

No, with one exception: the sensitive-file check scans the Desktop, Documents and Downloads for private keys, passwords and card numbers. Only the file name and the kind of finding are stored; the content is neither stored nor sent.

Question 22

Can BirdGuard prevent an attack in advance?

Accepted Answer

It recognises most things only after the fact and alerts you. It can prevent things for the network (blocking a program in the firewall), for the camera and microphone and for its own fixes. That is why you should use it alongside Microsoft Defender, not instead of it.

Question 23

How do I report a bug or suggest a change?

Accepted Answer

Write to the e-mail address on the Support page. Include the BirdGuard version, the Windows build and the steps to reproduce the problem, and remove personal data from the text.

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