The Ultimate Python Code Protection & Compilation Suite
PyShield converts your Python source code (.py) into compiled binary files (.pyd) using Cython,
making it extremely difficult to reverse-engineer. It then packages everything into a standalone
Windows executable (.exe) that runs without requiring Python installation on the target machine.
Transform your Python scripts into secure, compiled Windows executables with military-grade protection
Features • Installation • Quick Start • Screenshots • Contributing
PyShield is designed for legitimate software protection purposes only.
This tool is intended to help developers:
- Protect intellectual property and proprietary algorithms
- Distribute commercial Python applications securely
- Prevent casual reverse engineering of source code
❌ DO NOT use this tool to hide malicious code, malware, or any software intended to harm users.
The developer assumes no responsibility for misuse of this software. By using PyShield, you agree to use it ethically and in compliance with all applicable laws.
PyShield is a powerful, all-in-one solution for protecting and distributing Python applications. It combines Cython compilation (converting .py to binary .pyd files) with PyInstaller packaging to create secure, standalone Windows executables.
| ❌ Problem | ✅ PyShield Solution |
|---|---|
| Python source code is easily readable | Compiles to binary .pyd files - unreadable! |
| Distributing apps requires Python installed | Creates standalone .exe - no Python needed! |
| Complex PyInstaller configuration | One-click automated build with smart detection |
| Selenium/Playwright apps fail after packaging | Auto-bundles browser drivers & browsers |
| Manual dependency management | Intelligent import scanning & bundling |
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PyShield automatically detects and properly bundles these frameworks:
| Requirement | Details | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) | - |
| Python | Version 3.10 or higher | Download Python |
| Visual Studio Build Tools | 2019 or newer with C++ | Download Build Tools |
📥 Click to expand Python installation guide
-
Download Python from the official website:
-
Run the installer with these settings:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Python 3.14.2 Setup │ │ │ │ ☑️ Install launcher for all users (recommended) │ ☑️ Add python.exe to PATH ⬅️ IMPORTANT! CHECK THIS! │ │ │ [ Install Now ] [ Customize ] │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘⚠️ CRITICAL: You MUST check "Add python.exe to PATH" or PyShield won't work! -
Verify installation - Open Command Prompt (Win + R, type
cmd):python --version
✅ Expected output:
Python 3.14.2.x(or your installed version)pip --version
✅ Expected output:
pip 24.x.x from ...
🔧 Click to expand Build Tools installation guide
Visual Studio Build Tools provides the C++ compiler required for Cython to convert Python to native binaries.
-
Download Build Tools:
-
Run the installer and select the following:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Visual Studio Installer - Workloads │ │ │ │ ☑️ Desktop development with C++ ⬅️ SELECT THIS! │ │ └── MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ x64/x86 build tools │ │ └── Windows 11 SDK (10.0.22621.0) │ │ └── C++ CMake tools for Windows │ │ │ │ 📦 Installation size: ~6.5 GB │ │ │ [ Install ] │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ -
Wait for installation - This may take 10-30 minutes depending on your internet speed
-
Restart your computer after installation completes
-
Verify installation - Open Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022 in your windows 10/11:
cl
✅ If you see "Microsoft (R) C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version..." you're ready!
❌ If you see "'cl' is not recognized", try opening "Developer Command Prompt for VS" from Start Menu
| 📦 Download Option | 📝 Description | 🔗 Link |
|---|---|---|
| 🚀 EXE (Recommended) | Ready-to-run Windows executable No Python installation required! |
|
| 📁 Source Code | Full source code (for developers) Requires Python & Build Tools |
👨💻 Option A: How to use this ?
run .exe 🎉 PyShield is now ready to use!
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 🛡️ PyShield v5.0 ─ □ ✕ │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ 📁 Project Path
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ [Browse] │
│ │ C:\Users\You\MyPythonProject │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ ⚙️ Build Options
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ ☑️ Enable Cython Compilation (.py → .pyd)
│ │ ☑️ Create Standalone EXE
│ │ ☐ Request UAC Admin Privileges
│ │ ☐ Show Console Window
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ 🎨 Icon: [shield.ico] [Change Icon]
│ │
│ ┌──────────────────────┐ │
│ │ 🚀 BUILD NOW │
│ └──────────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ 📋 Build Log
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ [16:30:01] ✓ Scanning project imports... │
│ │ [16:30:02] ✓ Detected 15 Python files │
│ │ [16:30:03] ✓ Compiling main.py → main.pyd │ │
│ │ [16:30:05] ✓ Compiling utils.py → utils.pyd │ │
│ │ [16:30:08] ✓ Creating executable... │ │
│ │ [16:30:45] 🎉 BUILD SUCCESSFUL! │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
- Select Project → Choose your Python project folder
- Configure Options → Enable/disable features as needed
- Click Build → Watch the real-time build progress
- Get Your EXE → Find it in the
dist/folder
| Option | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
Cython Compilation |
Convert .py files to .pyd binaries | ✅ Enabled |
Create EXE |
Generate standalone executable | ✅ Enabled |
UAC Admin |
Request admin privileges on launch | ❌ Disabled |
Console Window |
Show/hide console window | ❌ Hidden |
Custom Icon |
Use custom .ico file for EXE | shield.ico |
One-File Mode |
Bundle everything into single EXE | ❌ Disabled |
❌ "Python not found" or "'python' is not recognized"
Cause: Python is not in your system PATH.
Solution:
- Uninstall Python completely
- Download Python again from python.org
- During installation, ✅ CHECK "Add python.exe to PATH"
- Restart your computer
- Open new Command Prompt and verify:
python --version
❌ "Unable to find vcvarsall.bat" or Cython compilation fails
Cause: Visual Studio Build Tools not installed or missing C++ components.
Solution:
- Download VS Build Tools
- Run installer and select "Desktop development with C++"
- Make sure these components are checked:
- MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ x64/x86 build tools
- Windows 11 SDK
- Restart your computer after installation
❌ Build completes but EXE crashes on startup
Cause: Missing dependencies or imports not detected.
Solution:
- Check build logs for any warnings
- Ensure all data files (images, configs) are in project folder
- Test running from source first:
python main.py - Check if antivirus is blocking the EXE
❌ Selenium/Playwright "driver not found" in EXE
Cause: Browser drivers not bundled with the EXE.
Solution: PyShield automatically bundles drivers, but ensure:
- Drivers are installed via
pip install webdriver-manager(Selenium) - Browsers are installed via
playwright install(Playwright) - Rebuild the project
Contributions are what make the open-source community amazing! Any contributions you make are greatly appreciated.
- 🍴 Fork the repository
- 🌿 Create your feature branch
git checkout -b feature/AmazingFeature
- 💻 Commit your changes
git commit -m "Add some AmazingFeature" - 📤 Push to the branch
git push origin feature/AmazingFeature
- 🔃 Open a Pull Request
# Clone your fork
git clone https://github.com/samay825/PyShield.git
cd PyShield
# Create dev environment
python -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
# Install dev dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt
pip install pytest black flake8
# Run tests
pytest tests/
# Format code
black src/This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
MIT License
Copyright (c) 2026 Samay825
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files...
If PyShield helped you protect your Python code, consider supporting the project:
Special thanks to these amazing projects that make PyShield possible:
- Cython - C-Extensions for Python
- PyInstaller - Freeze Python applications
- PyQt6 - Python Qt bindings
- Python - The best programming language
Made with ❤️ by Samay825
⭐ Star this repo if you found it helpful!

