windowstoolbarblocker / Blog: Recent posts

What's new in revision 4?

I removed the cleaning of the temp folder option in Settings. Later, I will have the folder cleaned after every detection is done.

Usage Data

One way to help make this program better for everyone is logging usage data. I understand today many software companies are shifty about what data they collect. The data I collect will be uploaded to my server, so I can incorporate it into future releases. If a toolbar is detected trying to install, that data will be logged. I can use that data to better detect toolbars in the future. Since my program is open source, I have nothing to hide. You can also check the log file that will be sent in ...\AppData\Roaming\Toolbar Blocker\log.txt. The data automatically sends once a Sunday at 3:30 PM. If your computer is offline/powered off at the time, you can send it manually. Otherwise, it tries again next week same time. I hope to have a solution for this, so that it tries again at next chance (then doesn't send again until the next Sunday at 3:30 PM).

What's new in Revision 3?

The biggest thing is detection. Upon each new file creation, the program will check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall's subkey name's. It will check this against two things: Your custom lists (mentioned below) and HTML downloads from SystemLookup. Upon finding a match, it can determine the uninstall string and other nice information (like the Publisher name) in that particular key. On the main screen, you can use the uninstall button to run the program's uninstaller (which is the UninstallString).... read more

I decided instead of using version numbers, to use revisions numbers instead. Version numbers seem arbitrary, and hard to interpret. Using revision numbers just makes more sense.

What's new in Revision 2?

Notify Icon (otherwise known as the icon in your system tray), has a functioning menu. Three options are available: Debug, Settings, About.

Debug

This opens the debug window, which was normally on the main window. (I never planned for the debug window to stay on the main screen; it was just a temporary thing.) In this debug window, I put an increase/decrease font function. I will only add additional font choices upon request (such as font color or font type).... read more

I felt that my project, my toolbar blocker, was far enough along to start a project page. This software is NOT fully functioning, and could product dangerous results. (e.g. Deleting a critical system folder.) Despite the danger, I feel I have overcome enough programmatic hurdles to make this project viable. It is still possible I will run into something and be unable to finish the project. If such an event occurs, at least the code is available for someone daring to carry on with it.... read more