cloakshare is an open-source tool for sharing documents and videos securely. It gives you control over how you share files by adding watermarks, tracking views, and setting expiration dates on links. You can run it yourself, keep your files safe, and know who accesses them. This tool works well for anyone who needs to share important files without losing control over them.
Before installing cloakshare, make sure your computer meets these requirements:
- Windows 10 or later (64-bit preferred)
- At least 4 GB of RAM
- 1 GHz or faster processor
- At least 500 MB of free disk space
- Internet connection to download and activate features
No special hardware or software is needed. cloakshare runs easily on typical home or office computers.
This section walks you through how to get cloakshare up and running on your Windows PC. You do not need to know programming. Just follow the steps carefully.
Go to the cloakshare release page here:
This page has the latest version of the software. Each version has files you can download. Look for the latest setup file for Windows.
On the release page, find the file named similar to cloakshare-setup.exe or cloakshare-x.x.x-win.exe. Click the file to download it to your computer.
The file size should be around 20-50 MB.
Once the download is complete, open the file by double-clicking it.
If Windows asks for permission to run the installer, choose “Yes.”
Follow the instructions on the screen:
- Choose the folder where you want cloakshare installed.
- Agree to any terms shown.
- Click “Install” to start.
The installer sets up all the needed files and tools for cloakshare to work.
After installation, look for the cloakshare shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
Click it to open the app.
The user interface is simple and clear. Here is how to start sharing your files securely.
- Click the "Upload" button.
- Choose documents or videos you want to share.
- Your files will upload to the app server.
- Select the file you want to share from your list.
- Set options like watermarks or expiration time for the link.
- Click "Create Link."
cloakshare will generate a secure link that you can send by email or message.
The app shows how many times a link was opened and where. You can check this anytime in the "Analytics" section.
You can add watermarks to your documents or videos. Watermarks show who the file is shared with to help prevent leaks.
Set a date or number of views after which the link stops working. This keeps your files safe after people have seen them.
cloakshare is designed to work out of the box. You can adjust some settings if needed:
- Change default watermark style and position
- Set default link expiration times
- Enable or disable analytics tracking
- Manage user accounts and permissions
You can find these options under the "Settings" menu in the app.
- Secure file sharing for documents and videos
- Watermark application on shared files
- View analytics for each shared link
- Expiring links to limit access time
- Easy-to-use Windows installer
- Self-hosting option for advanced users
- Links use strong, unique keys making them hard to guess.
- Watermarks reduce risk of unauthorized sharing.
- Expiring links automatically disable after your chosen settings.
- Analytics show IP addresses and times to monitor access.
When you open cloakshare for the first time, the app may take a moment to initialize. It will check your system and prepare everything needed.
If you close the app, it saves your settings. The next time you open it, your files and preferences will be there.
You can update the software by repeating the download steps to get the latest version.
Click the button to visit the page where you can find the latest Windows installer and other files.
If you face any issues or have questions, you can check the repository’s Issues page on GitHub or look for a support community related to open-source secure file sharing apps.
For users who want full control, cloakshare can be self-hosted. This means running the software on your own server. It requires some technical knowledge about servers and networking.
Self-hosting lets you keep all data private and customize cloakshare beyond the default app.
The setup involves installing Docker and running cloakshare containers, but that is beyond the scope of this guide. For details, see the official documentation on the GitHub repository.