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#214328 - 2025-11-27 03:07 PM (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence
morganw Offline
Fresh Scripter

Registered: 2015-10-20
Posts: 19
Loc: UK
I am currently looking at what would happen if there is an issue running KiXtart with newer versions of Windows. The alternatives seem unsuitable for certain use cases; PowerShell does not seem suitable because its memory usage and performance would be problematic in some scenarios, plus existing KiXtart code would need to be re-written.

I wanted to enquire whether there would be any possibility of releasing the KiXtart source code under an open source licence, to allow for modification and distribution should problems arise in the future, but I don't have any way to contact Ruud (I have tried e-mail and private message).

Ruud, if you see this message, is there a possibility of releasing the KiXtart source code under an open source licence?

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#214329 - 2025-11-30 09:03 PM Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: morganw]
tallship Offline
Just in Town

Registered: 2013-06-19
Posts: 1
Loc: On the Beaches of Super Sunny ...
I loved Kixtart for login scripts and used it exclusively back in the NT4 Multiple Master Domain model days for mapping drives, executing netlogon, etc., in a very pretty, sort of retro EGA looking dialog that the user could see each morning when they fired up their workstation.

I too would like to see a more contemporary update since there's still things that I feel this scripting methodology has to offer - including adding and removing programs, enforcing password policies, etc.

Let us know okay?

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#214330 - 2026-01-23 06:48 PM Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: tallship]
NTDOC Administrator Offline
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Registered: 2000-07-28
Posts: 11629
Loc: CA
A bit late on this post, but unfortunately there will no longer be any further updates to the KiXtart scripting language.

Ruud the author and owner has retired and has expressed there will be no more updates.

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#214331 - 2026-01-24 11:44 AM Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: NTDOC]
mole Offline
Getting the hang of it

Registered: 2003-01-01
Posts: 81
Loc: Indian Head, Maryland, USA
Sorry to learn there will be no more updates. Certainly, Ruud has earned retirement. I appreciate all the effort and dedication through the years, from Rudd and everyone, with Kix.

Edited by mole (2026-01-26 12:15 AM)
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mole

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#214332 - 2026-01-24 10:06 PM Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: mole]
Allen Administrator Online   shocked
KiX Supporter
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Registered: 2003-04-19
Posts: 4565
Loc: USA
I got the impression that Ruud wasn't going to add any new features but would continue to support Kix. Getting him to respond lately has become nearly impossible though. \:\(
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#214333 - 2026-01-31 04:37 AM Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: Allen]
AndreLuiz Offline
Getting the hang of it

Registered: 2015-10-07
Posts: 90
Loc: Brasil, Joćo pessoa
There would be a possibility for Ruud to make KiXtart available as open-source for anyone interested in continuing the project.

Just like what happened with the RDS Euphoria language, which is now OpenEuphoria.

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#214334 - 2026-02-25 06:07 PM Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: NTDOC]
morganw Offline
Fresh Scripter

Registered: 2015-10-20
Posts: 19
Loc: UK
This situation is exactly why releasing the current version under an open source licence would be beneficial. It passes ongoing maintenance to someone else.
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#214335 - 2026-02-25 07:39 PM (NA) Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: morganw]
Glenn Barnas Administrator Offline
KiX Supporter
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Registered: 2003-01-28
Posts: 4402
Loc: New Jersey
I think I mentioned this before, but I would be completely AGAINST releasing Kix as open-source unless the tokenization component was changed or not included. Releasing this as-is would potentially compromise the security of existing tokenized apps, not to mention eliminating their commercial value.

Protecting the security of existing scripts/apps using the Kix language would need to be a priority.
_________________________
Actually I am a Rocket Scientist! \:D

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#214336 - 2026-02-25 11:42 PM Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: Glenn Barnas]
morganw Offline
Fresh Scripter

Registered: 2015-10-20
Posts: 19
Loc: UK
 Originally Posted By: Glenn Barnas
I think I mentioned this before, but I would be completely AGAINST releasing Kix as open-source unless the tokenization component was changed or not included. Releasing this as-is would potentially compromise the security of existing tokenized apps, not to mention eliminating their commercial value.

Protecting the security of existing scripts/apps using the Kix language would need to be a priority.

That protection has already been reverse engineered. There are utilities available to detokenize a tokenized script. Releasing the KiXtart source code in a way that permits modification actually allows someone to improve the situation.

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#214337 - 2026-02-26 08:02 PM Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: morganw]
Allen Administrator Online   shocked
KiX Supporter
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Registered: 2003-04-19
Posts: 4565
Loc: USA
Would you mind adding a link to the utility you mentioned?
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#214338 - 2026-02-26 10:13 PM Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: Allen]
morganw Offline
Fresh Scripter

Registered: 2015-10-20
Posts: 19
Loc: UK
Here is a Medium post which describes how the protection works:
https://medium.com/@th4jouke/reversing-and-decrypting-a-case-of-kixtart-7ecc4350dd6a

Here is the C code for the detokenizer written by the author of the Medium post:
https://gist.githubusercontent.com/dvice...x-Decryptgist.c

Here is a different detokenizer which is written in Python:
https://github.com/jhumble/Kixtart-Detokenizer

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#214339 - Yesterday at 12:12 AM Re: (FAO Ruud) Releasing KiXtart source code under an open source licence [Re: morganw]
Allen Administrator Online   shocked
KiX Supporter
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Registered: 2003-04-19
Posts: 4565
Loc: USA
Wow! Thanks for posting, although I'm not sure I'm happy to see this.
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