One of the most advanced features of WinPatrol is that it allows you to monitor and protect any registry location. You can specify a value and WinPatrol will either alert you to a change or automatically lock the registry value that might change without your approval.

An Introduction to the Registry

The Windows Registry is an internal database which stores a wide range of information. Most of the information stored here is critical to the operation of programs under Windows.  When viruses or other malicious software tries to install itself, the first changes it makes will be in the Windows registry. Some changes can make it near impossible to remove viruses so it's vital that these locations are protected.

RegEdit.exe
The primary tool available for viewing and making changes in the Windows registry is call Regedit.exe.  This tool is extrememly valuable but isn't for the causual user.  Use of RegEdit should be left up to the experts. WinPatrol is designed to give anyone control over the Windows registry without having to be an expert. WinPatrol will also protect you against making changes which may be dangerous.

Monitoring Registry Locations

WinPatrol will monitor registry locations and can alert you if a change has occurred.

1. If you chose to be alerted, WinPatrol will let you know is some other program has changed one of the registry locations you want to protect. You'll be asked if the change is ok.  If it's not, you should click No and WinPatrol will restore the registry entry to its last value.  If the change is being done by a malicious program it may continue to occur. If that's happening it will be important to find the malicious software and remove it. For repeating alerts read more at https://www.winpatrol.online/helpme.html

2. You can also lock down a registry location when it's added. WinPatrol will automatically restore the original value without letting you know someone is trying to change it.

"Add"
Registry entries aren't designed to be known by the casual user so adding a new registry entry isn't as simple as browsing for a filename. Some knowledge of how folders and values are stored is required. The WinPatrol "Add" function allows you to copy/paste folder names directly from Windows RegEdit program.  WinPatrol willl even extract the primary key from a copied key when pasted into the Add Dialog.

While you can add registry keys manually, it is more efficient to find a Key using RegEdit and use the "Copy Key Name" menu item. Alt-Tab to WinPatrol and paste the KeyName into the Add dialog.

"Suggestions"
For non-technical users we've created an even easier way to add protected registry entries. Clicking on Suggestions will open up the current web page which provides suggestions from BillP Studios, our friends and 3rd party software developers.

"Remove"
Select the registry value from the list and click "Remove" if you want to stop monitoring this location.

"Close"
To close or Exit the WinPatrol tab interface click the X in the upper right hand corner or the Close button. WinPatrol will continue monitor changes but the main interface will be removed from memory.

WinPatrol Features