WatchDog for Windows

By WatchDog
Trial version
User Rating

Used WatchDog for Windows?

Using active surveillance applications may interfere with your system's Antivirus and/or Security protection. Download.com cannot guarantee the security of surveillance software because of their nature.

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 29, 2024

WatchDog gives you comprehensive control over how your computer is used, and how it monitors various activities. The program's bland but straightforward and familiar interface makes it easy to set permissions for users and to assign users to specific groups.

Basically, the program overrides the native Windows Task Manager and gives the Administrator the keys to the car. You can control not only what programs other users can access, but when they use them and even when the computer can turn on. You can shut down the PC after a specified period of time, or allow or block access for any hour or day of the week.

The newly-added URL filter builds on the full array of functions that the app presents. Hard drives, the Start menu and the Control Panel can be hidden from view, and the screenshot and keylogging functions give WatchDog some serious heft.

One drawback is that the Web filter is based on URL keywords and blacklists, so there's a strong possibility that some undesired content could make it through. Given the depth of control the app provides, we'd recommend WatchDog both for parents and for very small businesses.

What’s new in version 9.3

Version 9.3 allows users to log in when the application is running, monitors URLs and keystrokes, and periodically takes screenshots.

WatchDog for Windows

By WatchDog
Trial version
User Rating

Used WatchDog for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: February 29, 2008

Latest update: February 29, 2024

Version: 9.3

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 10
Windows 2000
Windows XP

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 118,217

Downloads Last Week: 1

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3.1/5

10 User Votes

Terrible interface, hard to use
shirley2828January 10, 2011
Pros
Actually none.
Cons
The cluttered interface is terrible, takes hours to set it up. Even then you don't know what is protected actually.
Summary
I've spent a lot of time trying to get it to work.
stasdan008October 8, 2009
Pros
I've been using the product and have spent a lot of time trying to get it to work on Vista...I've been evaluating various parental control software, and found that Time Boss is exactly what I want.
Cons
Vista support....
Summary
good
pedahms05June 3, 2008
Pros
Cons
later
Summary
Finally some control over my kid's computer use
collinsejSeptember 30, 2007
Pros
I have had this installed on my computers for about 2 weeks now. I had no trouble downloading and installing the product on a PC with Windows XP (service pack 2). I can set restrictions on the total amount of time, the times of the day, the programs, and the websites that my son uses. We used to argue and yell about my son getting off the computer games after playing for several hours. No longer, he now just accepts that he only has an hour a day (with an extra hour on Saturdays) without any whining. I like the precise control that this allows.<p>I will be happy to pay for the product at the end of the evaluation period.
Cons
I am still learning how to set up the controls so I don't exclude necessary functions (like printing a document) when I use the tightest level of controls.
Summary
Watchdog trashed my internet connection, had to reinstall windows
jebuniMay 18, 2007
Pros
it appears to have many nice features (but due to the severe problems caused by installing the program i never got to try them out.
Cons
Installing the program killed my internet connection, all network connectivity ceased to function, even as a parent user in monitoring only mode. I had to reinstall windows as uninstalling the program did not help. Just to be sure that the watchdog caused this, I repeated the whole experiment, with the same results.
Summary
Its about as childproof as a childproof medicine bottle.
18manzanosApril 16, 2007
Pros
If children couldn't easily close it down it would be great.
Cons
I have it set at the highest security level and the clildren can cause the whole program to lock up and close down easily. I have tried to get support but no one seames to know enough about the program to help me. they only told me that i should have asked for my money back within 30 days.
Summary
A lot of options and easy to use
sinlencenoiseMarch 11, 2006
Pros
You can create several profiles and you can set restrictions for each program
Cons
Graphical interface
Summary
Great features but very easily worked around
klaiJanuary 15, 2006
Pros
Good features, can control and monitor in multiple ways very easily. If it was not so easy to get around, I would give this software the absolute top rating.
Cons
Easy for a smart user (such as your children) to work around. All it takes is to double click quickly on your (for e.g.) game icon, BEFORE the watchdog initial control box comes up, and voila... you can play to your hearts content without the watchdog time controls having any affect on you.
Summary
wonderful
Jyl RavanAugust 5, 2005
Pros
great parental controls!
Cons
none
Summary
Unable to start fast enough
January 26, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
Found it very useful and easy to use at first, but then I found my kid's XP ID is taking long time (2 minutes) to startup for some reasons, and if he is able to load his own programs fast enough, the watchdog is not able to start and the timeout action will not work !

Developer’s Description

Monitor and control the time other users spend on your computer.

WatchDog is the ultimate application for restricting and monitoring the time you or others spend on the computer. Its many security measures completely block unauthorized access. It can restrict the time of day a user may log in and what applications can be run. It also monitors URLs and keystrokes, and periodically takes screenshots. WatchDog has direct Windows-policy integration to enable many advanced security features on a per-user basis.