Can learners watch the protected course without internet access?

Yes. Copy Protect is designed for controlled offline Windows delivery. Test the final package on a representative learner computer before distribution.

Should a large course use GCP or EXE output?

Use GCP for larger course libraries. EXE is convenient for smaller self-running Windows releases but has a 4 GB output limit.

Can a protected course be tied to a USB drive?

Yes. Device binding can restrict the protected release to approved removable media or an authorized Windows computer.

When should I use Video DRM instead of Copy Protect?

Use Video DRM when viewer authorization, dynamic watermarks, expiry, password blacklisting, revocation, and supported desktop or mobile protected playback are central requirements.

How to Protect Course Videos on a USB Drive

Q: Can several course modules be placed in one protected package?

Yes. Add multiple lesson videos and supporting files to one release, or create separate packages when modules need different access rules.

Quick answerUse GiliSoft Copy Protect to add the final course videos, select GCP or EXE output, configure copy and capture rules, add watermark or expiry information, bind the package to the intended USB drive or Windows PC when required, and test the finished release on a separate computer.

Before you start: build a clean learner folder

Include final lessons onlyUse approved MP4 or other finished video exports, final captions, the course index, and learner-facing worksheets or reference files.

Keep source assets internalExclude editor projects, raw footage, unused takes, answer keys, instructor notes, contracts, customer records, and obsolete revisions.

Check filenames and orderUse clear module numbers and titles so learners can follow the course without seeing the internal production structure.

Verify playback firstOpen every final video, check audio synchronization and captions, and confirm that supporting links work before protection is added.

Step 1: choose GCP or EXE output

Output	Choose it when	Important consideration
GCP package	You want the standard protected-reader format or the course library is large	Best default for multi-module video courses and larger releases
EXE package	You want a self-running Windows delivery	The complete protected EXE output must remain within the 4 GB EXE limit

Do not split a course only to force it into EXE. When the protected release approaches or exceeds 4 GB, use GCP or divide the course into logical modules with clear names and matching permissions.

Step 2: add the course and configure access

Open GiliSoft Copy Protect and add the final lesson videos or the complete learner-release folder.
Confirm the displayed lesson order and remove any file that should not leave the organization.
Select GCP or EXE output and choose the destination used to build the protected release.
Set the learner password and decide whether copying, clipboard use, screenshots, Save As, printing, and virtual-machine playback are allowed.
Add a learner, customer, company, course, or department watermark where visible identity is useful.
Set an expiration date or viewing limit when access should match a training period, subscription, certification, or contract.
Bind the package to an approved USB drive or Windows PC when the release should not move with a shared password.
Build the protected package and keep the source project so the course can be revised or reissued later.

Where the main settings are configured

Add course videos and supporting files to GiliSoft Copy Protect — Add the final videos or complete learner folder, then verify the release list before building.

Set course video copy screenshot clipboard and Save As permissions — Choose the actions available to learners during protected use.

Configure administrator access for a protected course video package — Reserve administrator access for approved support and package maintenance.

Bind a protected course video package to a USB drive or Windows PC — Bind the release to authorized removable media or a learner's Windows PC when required.

Step 3: test the package on another Windows PC

Testing on the authoring computer is not enough because cached codecs, fonts, permissions, and existing software can hide deployment problems. Use a clean or representative learner PC and test the same USB model intended for distribution.

1Open from the USB drive

Confirm the learner sees the intended package and not the original source-video folder.

2Verify access rules

Test the password, device binding, expiry, viewing limit, watermark, copy, capture, and Save As behavior.

3Watch complete samples

Check the beginning, middle, and end of representative lessons, including audio, captions, seeking, and relaunch.

Restart the test PC and open the package again.
Eject and reconnect the USB drive before a second launch.
Test a standard learner account rather than only an administrator account.
Verify playback on the Windows versions and hardware used by the course audience.
Keep a support note with the course version, package type, and assigned recipient.

Step 4: duplicate and assign the course USBs

Keep one verified master USB and an internal copy of the unprotected source release.
Duplicate only the tested protected package, not the working project directory.
Label each drive with the course title and release number without printing its password on the media.
Record the learner, customer, branch, or department receiving each device-bound release.
Send passwords through a separate approved channel and keep recovery or administrator details internal.

Build the learner release with GiliSoft Copy Protect

Use one controlled Windows package for the final course videos and approved supporting files. The learner receives the course experience while the editable production library remains internal.

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How to publish a revised course version

Keep version numbers in the source archive and package name. When a lesson changes, rebuild the affected release from the approved learner folder instead of editing files directly on distributed USB drives. Retest the complete package whenever videos, captions, passwords, expiry, binding, or client rules change.

Minor correctionReplace the approved lesson in the internal release folder, rebuild the package, and retest the affected module plus its navigation.

New course editionCreate a new versioned package so old and new learner releases can be identified during support.

Copy Protect, USB Encryption, or Video DRM?

GiliSoft product	Use it for	Key distinction
Copy Protect	Offline Windows course packages containing video and related files	Controls common file-use actions after the learner opens the package
USB Encryption	Protecting the removable drive while it is lost, stolen, or locked	Files behave normally after the private area is opened
Video DRM Protection	Video-first courses requiring viewer authorization, dynamic watermarks, expiry, blacklist revocation, and protected playback on supported desktop/mobile environments	Best when ongoing playback authorization matters more than one mixed-file Windows package

Set realistic expectations for protected playback

External cameras remain possibleNo desktop software can prevent someone from filming a visible screen. Named watermarks help identify redistributed footage.

Compatibility still needs testingProtection rules do not replace course QA. Verify codecs, captions, audio, Windows permissions, and target hardware before release.

Passwords can be sharedUse USB or PC binding when access must remain with one approved device rather than anyone who knows the password.

Backups remain essentialKeep the unprotected master, source project, package configuration, and recipient records inside the internal archive.

Protection optionsUSB copy protection for training videos

General USB video deliveryProtect video files on a USB drive

Complete learner librariesProtect course materials on USB

Video-first DRM deliveryProtect e-learning videos with DRM playback rules

Course video USB FAQ

Can several course modules be placed in one protected package?

Yes. Add the complete learner-release folder to one GCP or EXE package, or create separate packages when modules use different audiences, expiry dates, or permissions.

Can learners watch the course without internet access?

Copy Protect is intended for controlled offline Windows delivery. Test the finished package on a representative offline learner PC before distribution.

Should a large video course use EXE output?

Use GCP for the standard reader and larger libraries. EXE output has a 4 GB limit, so it should be reserved for releases that remain within that size after protection.

Can the course be tied to the USB drive?

Yes. Device binding can authorize an approved USB drive or Windows PC so a copied package and shared password do not automatically move access elsewhere.

Does the learner receive the original MP4 files?

The objective is to deliver the protected GCP or EXE package instead of a normal folder containing reusable source videos.

When is Video DRM Protection more suitable?

Choose Video DRM when the video itself is the primary product and viewer authorization, dynamic watermarking, expiration, blacklist revocation, and supported desktop/mobile playback are central requirements.

Official references

Turn final course videos into a tested USB release

Organize the learner folder, configure the permitted actions, bind the package where required, and verify the complete offline course before distribution.

View GiliSoft Copy Protect