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There's more than one way to automate tasks in Windows, but the Task Manager and macro options fall far short of many users' needs. If you find yourself wishing you could automate any repetitive task in Windows, try WinParrot, the "Windows parrot." This portable freeware lets you create, record, and play macros automating virtually any task or process in Windows. While it's not difficult to use, beginners will find it a bit overwhelming. Those users with a passing familiarity with code and text files will get the most out of this flexible tool's many options and capabilities, including unique and valuable extras like automatic screenshots of macros, a Studio feature for managing recorded macros, and an online Help file.
WinParrot's interface opened with a blank document and a parrot mascot. The program's instructions are simple and clear: press the Record button, record your process, and press End when you're done. There's no need to schedule the program to play back your macro: Simply press Play. We clicked Record, which first called up a Save File dialog for naming and saving our macro. We quickly created and saved a few simple macros animating some desktop chores. Clicking Play initiated our process, displaying each step in a scrolling real-time log file in the program's document window. It's possible to automate several consecutive tasks, trace your macros, and add Location tags, logical operators, and all kinds of variables with the command line. The Help file offers a huge range of commands and many screenshots to help users customize WinParrot.
As we noted, WinParrot is a simple, easy-to-use program in the hands of the more sophisticated Windows user. Less experienced users may find it a bit too flexible for their needs, though. We recommend it, with that reservation.
Publisher's Description
From DPC:
WinParrot is the Windows parrot. If you perform repetitive tasks with no added value on Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7, it will save you much time. Start recording your tasks or your entries, WinParrot will replay them immediately without programming It generates a file with the extension "wpr" containing all your actions (mouse, key and screen shot). With a very simple language (very close to that of Excel) you can insert visual checkpoints, loops, conditions or data from Excel spreadsheets. You can control the tolerance of an image recognition, shapes or texts, change the speed of typing or moving the mouse. In order to avoid slowing down your computer WinParrot is optimized to use the least possible of memory and CPU. WinParrot requires no installation and no administration right. It verifies its signature. If a virus attempts an intrusion or if WinParrot is corrupted, it will alert you. You will find examples and video on the official website. We hope that WinParrot will help you.
What's new in this version:
- Version 2.1.1:
- It is possible to save responses in the INI file.
- Recording and playback smarter, works with sub menus.
- New functions : Verbose, IfWindow, IfProcess
- New function Studio 'Capture': You can update the screenshots.
- Control 32-bit color.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 17 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"excellent for advanced and novice users"
Version: WinParrot 2.1.3
Pros
It is free and allows for a great level of customization while still being simple for novice users.
Cons
Be sure to read the Accept/Decline statements during the install. There are three junkware products that you can decline.
Summary
Great software, just be sure to decline the junkware during install.
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"Nice and useful"
Version: WinParrot 2.1.2.1
Pros
I'm becoming a big fan of this software, it is very handy for novice Windows users, with a little, very little, help from some one with a bit of experience.
Cons
No major issue to report.
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"Very useful"
Version: WinParrot 2.1.2.1
Pros
It can automate all types of mundane repetitive tasks on your PC.
It copies your actions and can play them as many times as you like.
It is easy to stop. (This is an important feature to me.)Cons
It needs lots of memory. It is not faster than you doing it yourself. Long complicated actions are slow to translate into a ready-to-run sequence. That can be fixed by learning how to use the instructions.
Summary
A useful program. Does your boss want you to cut and paste 300 quotations into a translator and then paste the results into a separate file? This program is made to easily set up the instructions and run repetitive tasks. How I wish this program was around when I had to update the end-of-month accounts for renewal.
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"Great freeware : easy to use and reliable"
Version: WinParrot 2.1.0
Pros
It can repeat any task you just have to record them and run the playback WinParrot will do exactly the same actions.
The help online is very good and there are a lot of videos on youtube.
It can run a macro from a commmand line : useful for sceduling tasks or if you want to run a task automaticaly when you turn on your PC :-)Cons
Does not work on Windows NT
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"Seems powerful, but documentation needs work."
Version: WinParrot 2.0.2
Pros
Extensive command set
Cons
Limited capacity to call other programs, ESL user manual, needs a trial-and-error learning approach - I'm not a programmer, but I'll stick with my antique DOS .bat program a while longer.
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"Doesn't work"
Version: WinParrot 2.0.2
Pros
None
Truly none.
None at all.Cons
Doesn't work. Don't waste your time.
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"Works great for me !"
Version: WinParrot 2.0.2
Pros
Easy to use -
Cons
Did not have any problems !
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"Perfect: Records and plays back without any programing"
Version: WinParrot 2.0.1
Pros
It generate macros with usefull functions that allow me to set the mouse or keys speed. It inclued also a debug and trace mode very userfriendly.
Cons
Exists only for MS !
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"Do not slow my PC while recording it is perfect"
Version: WinParrot 2.0.1
Pros
Excellent: Do not slow my PC while recording and playback is perfect. Furthermore it is very easy to add formulas in order to do loops, checks...
Cons
Portable, do not need installation, so if you are unorganized as I am you will have many parrot with differents versions in your PC.
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"Slow and not user friendly"
Version: WinParrot 2.0.1
Pros
It seems to work.
Cons
Very slow. If you are moving cursor and typing text while recording, it is painfully slow.
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