aCrypt can be used in two different modes: GUI mode and Batch mode. We can tune more precisely the execution of aCrypt in GUI mode using the command line options.

We can also run aCrypt in pure Batch mode, if all necessary parameters are provided on the command line. By "all necessary parameters", we mean a destination option
(-p or -u, see below), and at least one filename to encrypt.

GENERAL SYNTAX:

aCrypt [options...] [files...]

FILES:

[files] specify some files to encrypt. We can give aCrypt filenames, file patterns, or folders.

OPTIONS:

-m[inimized] : This option directly minimize aCrypt's main window at load time. This option can only be used in GUI mode.

-n[ote] "note to add" | <note file> : This option set a note for all encrypted executables. Remark this note will take precedence over an existing user or anonymous note. We can specify a note directly on the command line, or extract if from a text file.

-o[utput] [output folder][output file] : This option permit us to specify an output folder, and eventually an output file. This output folder will receive all encrypted files. An output file can only be specified in Batch mode, and must necessarily end with a .EXE extension. If an output file is specified, and an output folder is'nt specified, the encrypted file will be stored in the default output folder.

-p[assword] "passphrase" : This option specify all files will be encrypted using the specified passphrase. Logically, this option cannot be used with the -u option (see below). If no filename are specified on the command line, aCrypt will start in GUI mode, and print an adequate message in the main window's title bar. aCrypt will then encrypt all files using this passphrase, until you access the address book.

-u[ser] "username" : This option specify that all files will be encrypted using the password of a specified user. This option cannot be used with the -p option. The specified user must exist in aCrypt's address book. If no filename are specified on the command line, aCrypt will start in GUI mode, and print the name of the selected user in the title bar of the main window. Like for the -p option, aCrypt will encrypt all files using this user's password until you access the address book.

-y : This flag force overwriting of existing files in the output folder. In Batch mode, existing files are automatically overwriten, without any intervention of the user, and this flag cannot be used.

By using those different parameters together, we can easily create shortcuts to facilitate the use of aCrypt.

For example, you can create a shortcut to a user to which you regulary send encrypted documents:

aCrypt -u Administrator

You can also specify a different output folder for each of those shortcuts:

aCrypt -u Administrator -o c:\MailsTo\MyAdministrator\

Or we can easily build big encrypted archives in Batch mode:

aCrypt -o c:\MyEncryptedArchive.exe -n "This is my encrypted archive" -p "password" *.*