- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (Some features limited); $24.95 to buy
- Operating system: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98
- Date added: June 20, 2005
- Total Downloads: 1,388,398
- Downloads last week: 1,125
- See full specifications
A newer version of WinPatrol is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 459 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
This program uses a simple yet effective method of fighting all kinds of malicious programs. It inspects several spots in the Windows system malware is most likely to alter, including programs launched at start-up, browser helper objects, scheduled tasks, services, and cookies. WinPatrol consumes few resources and doesn't slow your PC. You can set the interval between checkups; the default is every three minutes. If something new installs on your PC, the program notifies you and asks whether you want the newcomer. This won't cure serious infections, but it will save you from annoying adware and malicious sites that hijack your browser home page. You can view full reports in HTML format, and the app even lets you manage which programs launch on system start-up. Improved cookie handling is taken care of by Pinky the Squirrel, who eats "cookies with nuts"--that is, cookies that contain user-defined nuggets of text, such as ads. Users who install a lot of new software will find the program invaluable.Publisher's description
From BillP Studios :WinPatrol sniffs out worms, adware, keyloggers, spyware, cookies, and Trojan horses. This program puts you back in control of your computer with no need for constant updates. WinPatrol's goal is to help you better understand what programs are running on your computer and to alert you to any new programs added without your permission. Unlike traditional security programs, WinPatrol doesn't scan your hard drive searching for previously identified threats. Instead using a heuristic approach, a snapshot is taken of your critical system resources, and WinPatrol alerts you to any changes that occur without your knowledge.
Version 9.5 adds R.I.D. (Real-time Infiltration Detection).
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User reviews of WinPatrol 9.5
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 459 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 6 user reviewsSee all 6 user reviews
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: WinPatrol 9.5
Pros: It's a one stop listing of the many things your computer is doing and hiding from you. Everything from programs loaded at startup, programs currently running, programs scheduled, etc. I was pleased to see the the version number of the programs is usually listed. One feature I like and rely upon is when a program tries to set itself to automatically run at startup, WinPatrol will ask you if that's ok. This has saved me from headaches many times.
Cons: The "prompt" feature is a minor annoyance when I'm installing software. It does ask me to confirm the new startup program as it should - but often when installing a program there are many hidden changes to the system, and it can be quite tedious confirming them all. What I often do before installing a program is to shut WinPatrol down, and restart it before I do anything else afterward.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: WinPatrol 9.5
"Don't Run Your Computer Without It!"
Pros: An extremely useful program and very easy to use. You want a particular program to start each time you start your computer? Then just add it to WinPatrol. For example, I have a utility on my computer called "StatBar," which I like, but it had a nasty habit of disappearing on me. Since I added it to WinPatrol, it appears every time I start my computer. WinPatrol also shows you which versions of the programs you're running. Scotty also does an excellent job of watching out for little "nasties" for me. Best of all, all of WinPatrol's informational and protective features are FREE for the downloading and installing. I have no idea where C|net gets the $24.95 purchase price from, but the version I use is completely FREE! It's never cost me one red cent! Also, there's a newer version out, WinPatrol 9.7.
Cons: No "cons" whatsoever!
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: WinPatrol 9.5
"Excellent Windows Utility Tool!"
Pros: This is a very simple to use and easy to navigate Windows security and management tool that is a small sized download and easy on system resources. It is listed many places as an "anti-spyware" application....but it is much more than that. It allows you to manage your startup programs, view and disable active tasks, control which browser helpers are operating on your system, view and protect your HOSTS file, and more. It is quick to alert you to any changes by third party and other applications to your registry and other protected areas, and presents you with the option to approve or deny those changes. I've used it to disable certain startup programs, and it has greatly improved the bootup time for my PC. It has also alerted me to changes that didn't need to be taking place within my system. And all this for free! The one-time fee for the PLUS upgrade gives you additional info that can prove to be invaluable, as well as real-time infiltration protection. Definite 5 stars for this nice little utility.
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: WinPatrol 9.5
"Woof Woof ! Gotta love Scotty the watchdog ."
Pros: I use the free version (6.5) and it's fantastic. A Must have.
Cons: Free version does not include all the features of the paid for version - who cares, it's still great !
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: WinPatrol 9.5
Pros: I installed the software without problems and I sawed what it can do.It is helpful meaning that it has categorized some tasks that you also can perform under Windows by your self.Extra are the monitoring function and that it gathers some aplication's information normally hard to find.
Cons: The monitoring function I haven't got the chance to try it because after I closed my computer, Windows anounced me that an eror ocured and I had to boot Windows in Safe Mode and unistall the aplication and after restart everythig was ok.
Evidently this problem don't happen to every user and why it happen't to me I don't know.I modified nothing with the aplication and the eror still ocured.A meaningful rating I can't give because I haven't got the opportunity to fully test the software.
- See all 6 user reviews Write review
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