Winpatrol is essentially a computer monitoring program that works in the background to inform users of things that are occurring within the system. However, the free version has only limited functionality and cannot actually block threats to the user’s computer or network.
Here are some excellent Winpatrol alternatives that consumers frequently use:
If you are looking for a guide on how to actually find programs that are keeping your computer busy, you will find one here
1)Emsisoft Anti-Malware
A trial version of the Emsisoft Anti-Malware software, which can be downloaded from http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/antimalware/, is a great alternative to Winpatrol even though it is only free for the first 30 days. While Winpatrol can only inform users of something that has gone wrong after the fact, Emsisoft’s program can actually block malware and other harmful activity before it occurs. The program costs $39.95 for a year-long license, though discounts are available if it is purchased for two or three years at a time. It also includes start-up protection, surf protection, file guarding and a behavior blocker.
2)AnVir Task Manager
The free version of AnVir Task Manager offers a lot of the same function as Winpatrol, as well. Here, users will be able to rid their computers of any viruses and spyware that their antivirus programs may have missed, monitor processes, services, startup programs, hard drives and CPUs, speed up their PCs and boost their startup times significantly by hindering unnecessary processes. It can be downloaded from http://www.anvir.com/freeware.htm, but the paid and pro versions offer even more protection, such as the ability to permanently block unwanted processes.
3)Process Hacker
A number of users prefer the software that is offered by Process Hacker because it essentially takes Winpatrol to the next level. While there is still no way to block malware and viruses with this program like Emsisoft’s offering, users can click on a process that they believe is malicious to have it scanned by VirusTotal.com for free! Of course, it should be noted that Process Hacker is designed for people who have a lot of computer expertise; one wrong move with the utilities included here could crash a computer in no time. It can be downloaded at http://processhacker.sourceforge.net/ and it is absolutely free for personal use.
4)Free Extended Task Manager
Free Extended Task Manager is essentially a souped-up version of Windows Task Manager. It is completely free to download and use from http://www.extensoft.com/?p=free_task_manager, and it provides all of the same great options as the stock version plus the ability to check the disk I/O chart, monitor network ports, locate processes that lock certain files on users’ systems, and it even allows individual processes to be ‘frozen’ for the purpose of troubleshooting.
5)Task Manager DeLuxe
Task Manager DeLuxe is very much like the program listed above. It is free for both private and commercial use and it can be found at http://www.mitec.cz/tmx. Once downloaded, it requires no complex installation but does provide users with the ability to view processes, services, things that are scheduled to run automatically at startup, sessions, environment information, and information about the system and its performance.
While Winpatrol is well known for its ability to provide users with more complex information about their systems and even notify users of intrusions, the program alternatives listed here may be of more use to those who need a little more – or perhaps even a little less.
