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Learn how to protect your Windows PC from malware and other threats.

Application Control

Control your PC apps and their behaviors.

What’s that .exe?

Is that executable safe, or a threat?

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Learn how to protect your PC from bad apps.

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Protect your Windows Registry from harm.

Executable Directory

Our ultimate directory of Windows PC executables.

What’s WinPatrol.exe (WinPatrol Background Change Monitor)? Is it safe or a virus?

WinPatrol.exe by Ruiware, LLC. is a background change monitor that helps users detect and prevent unauthorized changes to their computer system. It provides real-time monitoring of critical system areas, such as startup programs, browser extensions, and file associations.

The app alerts users to any attempted changes and allows them to take action to block or revert the modifications. This can help protect the system from malware and unwanted software installations, as well as providing users with greater control and visibility over their computer's configuration.

Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the WinPatrol.exe process is safe or malware.

  1. Scan the executable with Microsoft's built-in tech
  2. Find WinPatrol.exe's publisher
  3. Search the executable's hash with VirusTotal
  4. Monitor the executable's behavior

Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs

Recently Detected Threats

A Trojan is a harmful software that pretends to be a legitimate program or file to deceive users into downloading it. It can steal personal information, damage files, or give hackers control over the infected device.

Download SpyShelter to see detailed safety information about every .exe on your PC.

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More about WinPatrol.exe on WINDOWS

Who makes WinPatrol.exe (WinPatrol Background Change Monitor)?

We’ve found Ruiware, LLC. should be the publisher of WinPatrol.exe.

How do we know? Our SpyShelter cybersecurity labs focuses on monitoring different types of Windows PC executables and their behaviors for our popular SpyShelter Antispyware software. Learn more about us, and how our cybersecurity team studies Windows PC executables/processes.

What does it mean if someone is the publisher of a PC .exe (executable or process)?

The publisher of an executable is the entity responsible for its distribution and authenticity. Most processes/executables on your PC should be signed. The signature on the executable should have been verified through a third party whose job it is to make sure the entity is who it says it is. Find an unsigned executable? You should consider scanning any completely unsigned .exe on your PC.

Last updated: April 6, 2024

Curious about other processes on your PC?
Try SpyShelter or search below.

Or browse the process directory by name:

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ#

Why should you trust us?

Our team at SpyShelter has been studying Windows PC executables for over 15 years, to help fight against spyware, malware, and other threats. SpyShelter has been featured in publications like The Register, PC Magazine, and many others. Now we’re working to share free, actionable, and easy to understand information about Windows executables (processes) with the world, to help as many people as possible keep their devices safe. Learn more about us on our "About SpyShelter” page.

Have any questions? Please join our free public SpyShelter PC Security Forum and talk cybersecurity with our USA-based team. We love talking about PC Security and we’d like to get to know you.

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