Bits from Bill

Technology thoughts leaking from the brain of "Bill Pytlovany"

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

WinPatrol 28 Responds to User Feedback


For over 15 years WinPatrol has provided a tool that fills a need not available directly in Windows. WinPatrol has evolved from removing simple adware to complex malware infiltrations. By maintaining control over what changes are allowed on a Windows computer this small, non-obstructive application lives on attracting new fans thanks to social networking.

* WinPatrol Maintenance and Reset Tool
wp28-reset

Under the PLUS tab, you'll find About/Version information along with your way to activate WinPatrol PLUS once you purchase a lifetime Name and PLUS code. You'll also find a search box so you can look up PLUS Information on files even if they aren't found in any of your lists. This can be used when you want to help a friend find out more about a mystery file on their computer.

There's also a "Reset" link previously used to initialize the PLUS name and code. The clickable Reset link has been expanded to provide useful tools created based on email questions from WinPatrol users.For details on each tool the help button will open the following information...
http://www.winpatrol.com/support/reset.html

* Windows Services -  Automatic (Delayed Start)
One of the possible startup values for Windows Services is Automatic but with Delayed Start. WinPatrol now supports versions of Window and displays the Delayed Start option when available WinPatrol also allows Services to be managed so you can include this option when appropriate.


* User Interface Improvements

Alert screens have been updated to be less annoying and provide most effective information.  Readability has been improved with icons moved to the right side and some buttons have more descriptive text.  Nobody likes alert windows and under normal use you'll never see an Alert message. When you do, WinPatrol will help you decide if a change is required and do what it can to reduce repeating alerts. We've found that 8 out of 10 programs which fight efforts to be removed from the Startup list are legitimate programs, usually designed to provide dangerous automatic updates.

wp28-alert



* Registration Improvements

When installing WinPatrol you'll be asked to supply your name, country and email. This information is used for statistical reasons to help BillP Studios understand the rate WinPatrol is installed, how installations react to promotions and especially how we can make WinPatrol PLUS the best possible value. Your name and email is used as a unique identifier and also helps to quickly find any requested PLUS codes that may be lost..
Anyone concerned about privacy didn't have to provide their truthful information but still had to fill in the form to continue.. Even though it's a standard practice to request registration for free software we don't want to alienate any fans of WinPatrol.
Version 28.0 found a new way to provide the same statistics without requiring a name or Email. All registration information is now optional.

wp28-registration

* Improved Handling of Invalid Filenames
When programs are uninstalled poorly there can often be left over characters or spaces that frequently trigger WinPatrol alerts that contain no information. This version reduces the possibility of corrupted filenames.

Better Display when File Does Not Exist
Much of the information displayed by WinPatrol comes from registry and our goal is to let users see what's in the registry without having to know how to use regedit.exe. In some cases, programs have been registered but the file no longer exists. Often other security software removes the file but doesn't update registry pointers. This version make it more obvious when a file no longer exists and is no possible threat.

Click to Download WinPatrol 2013 version 28

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8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

After uninstalling a Security program I get the following UAC notification every minute:

Program: WinPatrolExplorer
Program path: “C:\Program Files (x86)\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\WinPatrolEx.exe” –RegRepair

It is really annoying. I had to close Winpatrol to stop this.

8:30 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Obviously we don't want anyone annoyed so I appreciate you taking the time to let me know.
Before the message did you see a warning about any specific file?
If you look in the WinPatrol folder you may find a file temp.reg. If you can rename this to a .txt file and Email it to support@WinPatrol.com I'd appreciate it.

11:01 AM  
Anonymous Max_ita said...

I posted a new bug about this version here:
[28.0.2013] I can't uncheck Automatically run Winpatrol option

2:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bill P.
I installed winpatrol 28 and noticed winpatrol 26 was not uninstalled. I checked where it said to uninstall previous versions and it did not uninstall version 26. So I uninstalled the old version of 26 and it also uninstalled the latest version. Had to reinstall latest version again. I also noticed that on my other laptop (both windows 7) version 26 was not uninstalled too. I have not uninstalled that version on the other laptop. Version 27 did uninstall on both.
Should I just leave version 26 along with the new one or uninstall both and reinstall the latest version?
Thanks JT

2:33 AM  
Blogger Mary B-J said...

Just installed version 28. When I read the install notes, I was impressed that you never rest on your laurels! Every upgrade brings new features, most of which I didn't know I needed until you created them, but I surely did. Thank you.

7:52 AM  
Anonymous Sark said...

Down loaded the lastest ver. 28.12013.0 & when I highlite a startup program & select "Plus info." All I get is a blank page. It says connecting but nothing happens?

Anyone have an answer?

10:33 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Best thing to do is just write to support@WinPatrol.com.

What we'll suggest first is on the Options tab.
There is a check box that says, "Allow PLUS Info data..."
Uncheck this box and you should have better luck.
If not there are other things we can try.

Bill

8:41 PM  
Blogger Jonzone said...

Hi Bill,
I want to say thanks for the 15 years plus of Win Patrol & Scotty.
This came about because I have been a member of Cloudeight/ InfoAve and then InfoAve Premium since the beginning, and from there I learned of, and started using Win Patrol, and have been using the Plus version for some time now.
You are one of the few stalwarts of the computer world, as is CloudEight. The continued information and assistance you have offered since the beginning is astounding, and I look forward to a continued, long-standing relationship with Win Patrol.

Kind Regards,
John D Lord
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

2:07 AM  

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