WinPatrol - for System Control and Protection

I've written a number of times about one of the programs that I use on every one of my computers, including my family's computers. Well, really on every computer that runs Windows — and I've been using it since well before 2004.

This program is a great protection tool called WinPatrol. WinPatrol allows me to control which programs start automatically on my system. It also monitors my system for any changes to the programs that start automatically. Unlike some anti-spyware applications, WinPatrol allows me to make the reversable decision to disable auto-starting of a program, where most systems will simply not allow the program to set itself to auto-start.

WinPatrol is available in two flavors — the totally free WinPatrol and the added-function, added-information WinPatrol Plus.

WinPatrol, the free version, lets you control the startup programs, delayed start programs, IE Add-on's ("IE Helpers"), scheduled tasks, finding hidden files, and a lot more.

What extras do you get with WinPatrol Plus?

WinPatrol Plus adds access to their Plus database of programs, which tells what programs do and includes their recommendations on what's safe and what's not. You also get WinPatrol's Real-Time Infiltration Detection and advanced examination of hidden Windows System Registry entries. You also get WinPatrol's Real-Time Infiltration Detection and advanced examination of hidden Windows System Registry entries.

Bill Pytlovany, the author, keeps adding more and better functions to WinPatrol and WinPatrol Plus. When I check for a new version, I often find that there's a new version with more neat features.

As I wrote this article, I found that I was running v10.3, while v11.3 was the latest. One of the new added features is the Delayed Start function, where I can delay an auto-starting program for seconds and/or minutes after the time it would normally start.

I was able to move several programs from the regular Startup Programs category to Delayed Start — so they won't slow down my boot process. What kind of programs did I move? My software modem driver program, my video card mode changer, Karen's Replaicator and my PopFile anti-spam program. They'll still start, they just will start in the background after I'm already able to do other tasks!

In my early days of using WinPatrol, I used the free version. Finally, in 2004, I bought my WinPatrol Plus license — and learned what I had been missing.

WinPatrol let's you control what's happening on your computer -- what programs start, what services are running, and There are two user-friendly license features that I really like about WinPatrol Plus (and the author's company BillP Studios):

This is a purchase, not a subscription and doesn't require an annual renewal. The web site says "Future upgrades are included at no additional charge. As a PLUS member, Scotty will be your friend for life. Anytime you see an update of the free WinPatrol just download the newest Free version and your PLUS code will activate its PLUS features." And,
The web site says " NO Additional Licenses required
You become the PLUS member, not your computer. You're welcome and encouraged to install WinPatrol and activate PLUS on any machine you or your immediate family use."
Should you use WinPatrol or WinPatrol Plus? My answer is a resounding Yes!

Should you purchase a license (you'll only need one) for WinPatrol Plus? Again, my opinion is a resounding Yes!