WinPatrol2009 – Free, PLUS and Portable Versions

This post was written by admin on March 24, 2009
Posted Under: Security Tools, Technology

Updated October 2009 - Click here for all new WinPatrol 2010

WinPatrol 2009 is a small and compact program that you really don’t want to be without.

Since 1997 it has gone from strength to strength and is a very simple program for users to master. There are three versions, the free version, the Plus version and the USB portable version, ideal for those who use portable applications to troubleshoot other PC’s.

Version 16 has added features which allow users to oversee the following with an intuitive tabbed interface:

Detect and review Startup Programs which list all programs that start when you boot up.

Review, add or remove Delayed Start programs which will speed up your boot time by moving non-essential programs from Startup to Delayed Start.

View ActiveX registered to Internet Explorer and disable them if required or not needed.

IE Helpers such as BHO’s and Toolbars that are installed which you can easily remove.

Scheduled Tasks which lists programs scheduled to run through the Windows Task Scheduler.

List of Services that are installed on your computer.

Active Tasks show what is currently running and if malicious programs are there then simply kill the process.

Cookies that you can set filters for and also view cookies stored by Internet Explorer and Firefox.

File Types and which programs are associated with them.

Hidden Files, the majority of which are required by Windows.

Recent which allows you to track changes to your computer, especially useful if malware has installed itself and allows you to monitor other recent changes made when adding new programs as well as the option to ‘Kill Task’.

PLUS is to upgrade to the paid version.

Options where you can customize WinPatrol to suit your needs. The default settings are adequate for the majority of users and will detect changes made to your Home and Search Pages, will warn of changes made to your Hosts and critical System Files.

Users can view their Hosts File, create a HiJackThis Log and submit it to one of the many forums for troubleshooting, export a Spreadsheet Report, view the WinPatrol Log which opens in a browser window, view the History, Export the Settings and Restore All Delayed settings back to the original state.

This is an excellent program that uses very low resources and will not hinder your surfing but will add a layer of protection. ‘Scotty’ sits quietly in the Taskbar and will warn you of changes made and you can view them at any time.

The portable version is just as powerful as the installed version and allows those who monitor or troubleshoot other computers to do so with ease.

WinPatrol is behavior based that has little or no conflicts with users existing security programs and it must be stressed that this is NOT a replacement for antivirus or antimalware programs as it is designed to run seamlessly alongside them adding that extra layer of security.