Most Windows users discover it with time: right after Windows is installed, or when one gets a new PC, the machine is "clean". Startup and shutdown are fast, the system directories are not crowded with files that contain God knows what, no useless program is wasting your CPU 24/24, etc.
Then, things start deteriorating...
Windows does not provide an easy way to keep its system clean.
For example, there are many different ways for a program to install itself so that it is run automatically, so it is not easy for you to track down which application decided "by itself" to use your system's resources in the way it wants.
Slowly, your machine becomes a mess. Your CPU is wasted by running processes that you don't need. Applications create files in your system directories and leave them behind. You sometimes refrain to install and evaluate a new program because you are afraid that it will not uninstall everything afterward. Anyway, the time it takes you to start and stop Windows become longer and longer. You start thinking about reinstalling "just to get things clean again"...
The way Tiny Watcher works is pretty simple: basically, it starts by taking a snapshot of important parts of your Windows system; then it tracks changes (every time you log in, or whenever you want to). When a change is detected, you will be notified.
Tiny Watcher has been designed to work discreetly. You will barely notice it at logon time: the about box shows for less than 5 seconds, and a progression gauge displays briefly
Here are some key features of "Tiny Watcher":
· It is small: Uses tiny resources on your machine. Runs fast, and only when you request it.
· It is complete: Detects most of the changes that can happen in your system. No need for updates or upgrades.
· It is configurable: Various settings can be modified to suit your needs. You can edit the list of directories and registry keys that are monitored, decide which files will be checked, etc.
· It is free: Just download, install, and use as long as you want. No adware, no spyware.
· It works: Tiny Watcher has been tested and bugfixed with care.
· Detects changes afterward: It will not prevent your system from being modified or corrupted. It will only tell you that something suspicious happened. Think of it as an early CAT scan against system tumors.
· No automatic cleanup feature: There is no "Fix that for me" button or other magic feature. You have to search the Web by yourself for specific information about a problem, and then do your own cleanup.
· Not a novice tool: Tiny Watcher does not tell you when a change is "normal". If you understand little about how a computer works, Tiny Watcher is probably not good for you. Messages will probably make you worry for nothing.
What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]
· New features
· SHA-1 algorithm is used for deep scan of files, config hash and processes. It makes it very hard if not impossible for a virus to infect a binary without being detectable. Implementation of SHA-1 is from Jun-ichiro Itoh, copyright (C) 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998 WIDE Project.
· Non-administrator user run is now supported (e.g. power user or restricted access user).
· Customizable lists for monitored directories and registry keys.*
· Snapshot is now saved to a single, protected file. Makes an attack against Tiny Watcher harder. Also makes it easy to save a copy of your snapshot or send it to someone else for sharing advices or getting help.
· Deleted files can be monitored.*
· Directories can be declared "volatile".*
· Common installer for all Windows versions.
· Documentation files now included in the installer (help was only online until now).
· Changes
· Faster scan (about one third faster).
· Name changed to "Tiny Watcher". Note that this is in no way a subset of the p...
