Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREEPublisher's Description
From PC Tools:
PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition is a powerful personal free firewall for Microsoft Windows that protects your computer from hackers and intruders. Firewalls control the network traffic in and out of your PC by monitoring applications that connect to the network. Firewall Plus can stop Trojans, backdoors, and keyloggers from damaging your computer and stealing your private information. PC Tools Firewall Plus is advanced technology designed specially for people, not experts. Powerful prevention against attacks and known exploits is activated by default and advanced users can also easily create their own packet filtering rules to customize the network defenses. The program is recommended for use alongside of AntiSpyware and Antivirus software like AVG or Spyware Doctor to protect PC against Spyware, hackers, worms, and viruses.
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All versions:
3.3 starsout of 468 votes
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Current version:
3.7 starsout of 102 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"The best free firewall I've ever had"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
Good, good, good,......
Easy to use, install, operate. DependableCons
None what so ever in my best knowledge
Summary
I really don't get all these dissatisfaction and problems people are conveying here. Really like to get it!
I've had Pc tools along with avast for years. Both on my Pc and laptop till few months back. They were compatible and not even once had problem or infection.
Now that I've bought my new Vaio(love this Sony btw!) that comes with Kasperski per-installed, thought of uninstalling it for I'm fed up with it's pup ups! and install Avast along with PC tools BUT to be honest all these negative comments got to me and since I'm not a Pc savvy ..........!!! wish i knew what best to do. -
"DOING THE JOB ON TWO Win7 64-bit Notebooks"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
I had no problem with installing this firewall on a Compaq and Toshiba Win7 64-bit dual cone laptops. Have been using it for around 6 months and have fiddles around with the settings a bit. Application blocking particularly to see what is crucial. It has been an education, and I've learned a lot :)
I tried ZA and Comodo and MS Essentials. The first two were ARGHH! maddening! Hard to understand and adjust settings onunless you're an accomplished geek. (I'm not, but I hand in there...heh)
MS Essentials didn't seem to do much of anything.
PCTools FW actually obeys ms when I block something from connecting to the internet <g>
I've been well pleased, felt a little more "in control" with the newest version. I also run Kingsoft AV (along with its partner Kingsoft PCDoctor) along with SAS and Malwarebytes, CacheCleaner and Glary's and never seem to get invaded by anything. SO...I'm pretty pleased...or pretty deluded one!Cons
I deducted one star because I think ANY security software should tell you what all those dang "svchost.exe files that you see in TaskManager running processes actually are LINKED to...! I mean,why not tell us, you know? LOL.
Summary
I tried MANY more than I mentioned above and decided for free (Since F-Secure costs now) I don't think you can beat PCTOOLS Firewall :)
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"love the firewall and its services."
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
for free ware it has all the bells and whistle that should come with paid subscriptions. Gives me the peace of mind that I had even with a full paid subscription to kaspersky.
Cons
none that i have found
Summary
I love this firewall and have recommended it to numerous of my family members and friends.
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"Now retired by PC Tools, but good while it lasted..."
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
This WAS a very dependable and capable free Firewall. PC Tools have retired it now and have instead incorporated it into their Internet Security Suite (thanks to their merger with Symantec). HOWEVER, after uninstalling it (since it's no longer 'updateable') you might be faced with some problems.... See "Cons"
Cons
After uninstalling this great program (using Revo Uninstaller and doing a 'forced uninstall' to find extra little bits), I was still left with some "PC Tools Drivers" in my Device Manager. I had been trying for months to uninstall or delete these annoying network devices which didn't serve any purpose other than to sit there in my Device Manager with a little yellow exclamation mark saying they didn't work... but to no avail! Finally, after heaps of internet searching, I found the solution - yay!!! Ironically, it was from a PC Tools Moderator, but you can't find it on their website! See my summary below for the fix...
Summary
The problem many people have with PC Tools Firewall Plus is that since the program was retired many users have decided to uninstall it from their computers. The trouble is that it leaves the PC Tools Drivers in your PC's Device Manager with no possible way to uninstall them. BUT, I managed to find a solution... Here is the best way to uninstall these drivers:
1. Click on "Start" (or the Windows logo at the bottom left of your computer screen).
2. Click on Run (or type "Run" into 'All Programs',) then type in 'regedit', then press OK. You may have to sign in as an administrator.
3. Go to registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\S4_PCTDRIVERMP\...
You will find some sub-keys: 0000, 0001, etc.
4. Open a sub-key and look for a value with the name "Driver". It should contain something like {4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002bE10318}\00xx, where xx = a digit. It may also state the name of the PC Tools driver involved. If it does, this is your culprit.
5. Now, go back up and open the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002bE10318} and click on this to find the sub-key 00xx, where xx = the same as above.
6. Find the value called "Characteristics". Click on this and change the value from 29 to 1.
Please note: If a key does not contain the name "Characteristics", you can create a "REG_DWORD" value by going to 'Edit' - 'New' - 'DWORD (32-bit) Value', then rename it "Characteristics". Make the value "1" for each relevant key.
7. Repeat stages 4 to 6 for each appropriate PC Tools sub-key found in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ENUM\Root\S4_PCTDRIVERMP\...
8. Restart your computer and then uninstall the PCTools Drivers using Device Manager.
This method was originally posted by "Alexey", a moderator from PC Tools. There were many posts back and forth because of discrepancies and misunderstandings. However, I edited the whole thing to make it easier to understand. After months of trying to find a solution, even with Alexey's original "hard-to-follow" description that I had to deal with, I tried this method and it actually worked. I hope it works for you too! Cheers... -
"Almost had to reinstall XP"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
Pros? Are you f-ing kiddin'?
Cons
The firewall didn't even install properly. When reaching the last step of installation, pressing "next" made my PC go a fraction of a second into the blue screen of death and restart itself. Loaded the fail-safe defaults from Bios, booted into XP in safe mode, logged into my administrator account, tried to uninstall this firewall and BAM: blue screen of death and another self-restart. Tried to uninstall it with CCleaner in safe mode (awesome software I really love for keeping my PC clean), but again the uninstaller starts, I agree to uninstall this firewall and BAM-BAM: blue screen of death and self-restart. I had to go to Program Files and delete the installation folder and my PC seems to work alright once again.
Summary
This is an XP crasher! I hate it, it's an abomination and I can't believe crap like this invaded CNET lately. Download and use at your own risk, folks. I'm going to look for a good firewall that won't destroy my PC.
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"does the job reqd"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
easy to use. set it up in mnutes. windows firewall is such a pain
Cons
no complains yet
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"Numero UNO!"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
The best! Your search for the best Firewall stops here!
Cons
The best! The best! The best!
Summary
The best firewall! Not long ago someone won a security suite (antivirus and firewall) and asked me if I wanted it. I said no thank you - I am very happy with PC Tools!
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"Do not install on Windows 7 64 bit, reinstalled Windows"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
Old versions used to be good on Windows XP.
Cons
Old versions used to be good on Windows XP.
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"Cannot tell if it was working"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
None. It does not work.
Cons
Difficult to download.
Showed some kind of error every time, EVERY TIME, computer restarted.
I could not be sure the firewall was working because there was no icon on taskbar. Tried to open program from the Start menu but all I got was a box with the PC Tools logo stating "Initializing"...for five minutesSummary
I'm going back to ZoneAlarm
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"I like it a lot!"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
I always used Zone Alarm Pro, paid subscriptions for years. Then reverted back to the free Zone Alarm Firewall. Seems their last update just plain did not work. Feels funny without the Z icon on my taskbar and somewhat unsafe. I tried Comodo and couple of others and man was that aggravating. Having to reboot for every update. Well I finally got around to trying this little Firewall. I been using it now for several months and I'm totally satisfied. I'm using Windows XP Professional and Avast7 AV and no conflicts whatsoever. I'm glad too. I don't like windows firewall and the others are just insane to run, to much bleh. The Firewall and the AV is the 2 must have's on my PC. PC Tool Firewall is a winner for me. I certainly recommend it. It's simple, fast, user friendly, and easily understood. No excess baggage.
Cons
None.. I am totally pleased.
Summary
Try it out is my advice... that's what I do. For me it's my Firewall till Zone Alarm gets its act back together and then back I go LOL! 12 years with one product will do that to ya. If they don't, I will stick with PC Tool Firewall Plus. It may not be for everyone since we all have different PC's and Net habit's. From behind my screen, it works.
