Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about installing, licensing, and using Trinh Tools.

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Getting Started Installation SmartScreen Warning Trial & Licensing Privacy Refunds Uninstalling Troubleshooting Support

Getting Started

What is Trinh Tools?

Trinh Tools is a suite of six PDF workflow tools built specifically for AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) firms. They handle the repetitive PDF tasks that Revit and Bluebeam don't — merging by discipline, fixing coordinate origins for Batch Seal, building latest-revision sets, splitting permit packages by building, and batch renaming to sheet numbers. Every tool was built by a practicing MEP engineer to solve problems that come up on real projects.

What tools are included?

All six tools are included with every license — no add-ons, no upsells, no tiers: PDF Merger, Fix PDF Coordinates, General PDF Merger, Latest Full Set Builder, PDF Split Per Building, and Rename to Sheet Number.

What are the system requirements?

Trinh Tools runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit). No additional software is required — each tool is a standalone executable. No Java, no .NET runtime, no browser plugin. You do not need admin rights to install or run the software.

Is there a Mac or Linux version?

Not at this time. Trinh Tools is Windows-only. If there is sufficient demand, other platforms may be considered in the future.

Installation & Setup

How do I install Trinh Tools?

Download and double-click Install Trinh Tools.exe. All tools are bundled inside the single installer file — there is nothing else to download. It copies the tools to a local folder on your computer and creates Start Menu shortcuts so you can search "Trinh Tools" from Windows search. No admin rights are required and nothing is written to your Windows registry.

Where does it install to?

By default, the installer copies files to %LOCALAPPDATA%\TrinhTools, a user-level folder that does not require elevated permissions. You can choose a different location during installation.

Do I need admin rights?

No. The entire suite is portable. It does not modify system files, the Windows registry, or require admin access. Start Menu shortcuts are created in your user profile only.

Does it require an internet connection to run?

No. The tools work completely offline. An internet connection is only used when activating your license key for the first time and for periodic background license revalidation, which includes a generous offline grace period.

My IT department restricts software installs. Will this work?

In most cases, yes — Trinh Tools does not use a traditional installer and does not modify system-level settings. Some organizations use endpoint management tools that block all new executables regardless of install method. If that's your situation, ask your IT team to whitelist the Trinh Tools install folder by path or file hash. We can provide hash values on request.

Windows SmartScreen Warning

Windows says "Windows protected your PC" — is this safe?

Yes. This is a Windows SmartScreen warning that appears for any newly released software that hasn't been seen by a large number of users yet. It is not a virus detection and does not mean the file is harmful — SmartScreen flags unfamiliar executables regardless of whether they are safe. To proceed: click "More info", then click "Run anyway".

Why does this appear on some machines but not others?

Computers on the same company network often share SmartScreen reputation data. Once one machine on your network has trusted the file, others may skip the warning. Home computers and freshly imaged workstations are more likely to see it because they have no prior history with the file.

Will this warning go away eventually?

Yes. As more users download and run the software, SmartScreen builds reputation for the file and the warning stops appearing. A code signing certificate is planned for a future release, which eliminates the warning from day one.

Trial & Licensing

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Every download starts as a full 30-day free trial with no feature restrictions and no payment information required. Use all six tools on real projects with your actual workflows before spending a dollar. If they work for you, great. If they don't, just stop using them — no cancellation calls, no retention emails.

What happens when the trial expires?

The software will prompt you to enter a license key. You will not be able to continue using the tools until a license is activated.

How is Trinh Tools licensed?

Trinh Tools uses a one-time lifetime license. You pay once and you own it — there are no annual renewals, no subscription fees, and no recurring charges of any kind. All future updates are included at no extra cost for as long as the software is developed. No subscriptions. No renewals. No surprises.

How much does a license cost?

Visit the Pricing page for current pricing. Individual and Firm (5-seat) lifetime licenses are available. A single one-time payment covers everything.

How do I activate my license?

After purchasing, you will receive a license key by email. Open any Trinh Tools application and enter your key when prompted. The key activates all six tools at once — you only need to enter it one time.

Can I use my license on multiple computers?

This depends on your license type. An Individual license covers one computer. A Firm license covers up to five computers within one organization. If you need more seats, contact support@trinhtools.com.

What if I reinstall Windows or get a new computer?

Your lifetime license key stays yours. Email support@trinhtools.com to transfer your activation to a new machine. There is no charge for this, ever.

Are future updates really included at no extra cost?

Yes. Every update — bug fixes, new features, compatibility improvements — goes to all existing license holders at no charge. You bought the tool; you get everything we add to it.

What if I lose internet access after activating?

Trinh Tools includes a generous offline grace period after activation. If your computer cannot reach the license server during revalidation, the tools continue working without interruption for an extended period. The tools do not require a constant internet connection during use.

Privacy

Does Trinh Tools collect any data from my computer?

Only what is necessary for license validation: your license key, your computer name (used to manage per-seat activation limits), and the date and time of the check. Nothing else is collected. Your PDF files are never read, never scanned, and never leave your computer.

Does the software upload my PDF files anywhere?

No. All processing happens locally on your computer. Your PDF files, file names, folder paths, and project data are never transmitted anywhere. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Does the software work offline?

Yes. After activation, all tools run completely offline. No internet connection is required to process files, generate output, or use any feature of the software.

Refunds

What is your refund policy?

We offer a 14-day refund window after purchase, no questions asked. Combined with the 30-day free trial, you have over six weeks to evaluate the software before the purchase is final. If the tools don't save you time on real projects, you shouldn't pay for them.

How do I request a refund?

Email support@trinhtools.com with the subject line "Refund Request" and include your name, purchase email, and license key. Refunds are processed within 5 business days to your original payment method. See the full Refund Policy.

Uninstalling

How do I remove a single tool?

Open the Trinh Tools Suite launcher and go to File → Manage Tools. You'll see a list of installed tools with a Remove button next to each one. This deletes the tool's executable and its Start Menu shortcut. You can re-run the installer at any time to get it back.

How do I uninstall everything?

Open the launcher and go to File → Manage Tools, then click Uninstall Everything. This removes all tool executables, Start Menu shortcuts, and the Desktop shortcut. You'll be asked whether to keep your license data for a future reinstall.

How do I uninstall manually (without the launcher)?

Open the README.txt file in your install folder for step-by-step instructions. If you can't find your install folder, press Win+R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\TrinhTools, and press Enter. Trinh Tools does not modify the Windows registry or install system services — there is nothing else to clean up.

Troubleshooting

The app closes immediately after opening.

Your antivirus may be quarantining the executable. Add an exclusion for the Trinh Tools install folder and try again. If the issue persists, email support@trinhtools.com with your Windows version and any error messages that appeared.

A PDF is not being recognized or sorted correctly.

The tools detect sheet numbers from filenames using common AEC naming conventions (such as E2.11A, P6.07, M4.1.1). If your firm uses an unusual naming format, use Help → Export File List for Support from within the tool and email the exported .txt file to support@trinhtools.com. Support for new naming patterns can often be added quickly.

I get "Access Denied" when processing a file.

The PDF is most likely open in another application such as Adobe Acrobat or Bluebeam. Close the file in all other programs and try again.

Where do I find crash logs?

If a tool crashes unexpectedly, a log file is saved to %APPDATA%\TrinhTools\. Press Win+R, paste that path, and look for crash log files. Attach the log to your support email so we can diagnose the issue faster.

Support

How do I contact support?

Email support@trinhtools.com. For faster resolution, include your tool name, version (shown in Help → About), Windows version, and a description of what you were doing when the issue occurred. We respond to every email.

Is there a built-in user guide?

Yes. Each tool includes a Quick Start Guide accessible from the Help menu. Additional documentation is available on this website.

Have a question not answered here?

Email support@trinhtools.com