WinPatrol can help you keep your computer safe from ill-intentioned applications. It focuses on detecting malware executed along with system startup. It has an intuitive tabbed interface. Thus, by clicking on the corresponding tab, you can have easy access to the desired function. However, I feel that there are too many tabs, perhaps because of the huge number of features available. Unfortunately, you will not be able to switch to some of the tabs because they are not activated in the trial version.
WinPatrol works mainly by letting you decide which programs should really start along with the system. One of its assets is that it can display not only common startup entries but those included in the so-called “secret startup locations.” It allows you to view information about startup entries, disable or delete unnecessary ones, or add new ones. Besides, you can also delay the execution of given applications so that your system takes less time to boot.
In addition to controlling your startup lists, WinPatrol can also be used to monitor Windows Task Scheduler and remove unnecessary or potentially dangerous tasks. Similarly, you can also view other lists, such as cookies, file types, hidden files, and recently executed programs.
In general, the information provided by WinPatrol can help you effectively prevent malware infections. As it runs from the System Tray, it continuously alerts when an application tries to include itself in the Startup list. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of this program depends on the user’s skills to take appropriate decisions.
v33.1 [Feb 27, 2015]
WinPatrol v33.1.2015.0
Improved History processing now includes history of any items restored. For example, when a file is removed from the Startup tab it displays “START_Remove”. If the file is restored, an entry is added “START_Restored” to give confirmation and so you can track what has been done.
Fixed bug in History Restore functionality that cause restore to fail on many occasions.
Improved automatic clean-up and removal of files no longer on your computer from the WinPatrol database.
Updated alert processing to help eliminate repeat alerts.
Added code so that users of BitDefender 2015 should be able to use AutoPilot without receiving repeated alerts.
Fixed upgrade bug that results in two versions of WinPatrol running for some customers.
Added “First Detected” column to the Delayed Start Tab.
Added “Status” column to the Startup Programs Tab. Currently we do not recognize when 64-bit programs are running, we will have a full 64-bit version of WinPatrol available later this year.
Program description now displays in WinPatrol Explorer footer when highlighting a program.
Fixed sorting on date columns.
Fixed a bug Registry Monitoring that resulted in some keys not being monitored as they should have been.
Added note to Cookies tab that recommends closing any open browsers prior to editing cookies. We also added improved processing to handle if a browser is open so that you do not lose your changes. But we still recommend closing a browser before editing it’s associated cookies because the major browsers all keep a cache of their cookies and will automatically restore anything they have not themselves removed.
