Monday, December 1, 2003		Downloads

Bid adieu to unwanted changes with InstallSpy
Raman Mohan

Whenever you install a program it makes several changes to your system, including system registry. This can create problems, especially if you are fond of using trial or beta versions of software downloaded from the Net. These programs can leave you stranded as many of them can make other programs stop working. This fortnight’s featured freeware helps control the changes such software makes and undo these if need be

InstallSpy v2

This freeware monitors the computer for changes to the registry and file system and can also monitor shell notification events, e.g. network drive added, media inserted, etc. It can be used to record what is changed when a program is installed.

This can be useful to check if an installation is changing files you don’t want changed, or tweaking your registry, e.g. changing your Internet Explorer home page. It can also record what is changed when a program is executed. For example, you can record what files a program is changing while it is running. It also makes a note of what is changed when a program is uninstalled. It records what processes are running before and after the installation and warn you when important registry keys or values are changed, e.g. Internet Explorer home page. Besides, it will identify files that should be deleted when uninstalling a program. Basically, InstallSpy will tell what has changed between two points in time. When you run InstallSpy for the first time it will check that you are using a supported operating system, e.g. Windows XP.

If you are not then you will see an error message telling you so. If your operating system is supported after clicking OK, you are given the chance to change the program settings. The Settings menu lets you define what changes InstallSpy should record, and also change the filter settings. Filters allow you to remove information from results, for example filter out recycle bin changes.

The Report menu allows you to view a report you have created during this session. When clicked, it will run default Web browser and display the report. Reports are in HTML format and saved as InstallSpyReport.html and stored in the same directory as the InstallSpy executable. The directory to save reports too can be changed. Download from www.mjleaver.com