ANVIR TASK
MANAGER PRO
Reviewed January, 2010
What’s It Do?
This program promises increased system security, performance,
and monitoring. It can replace Windows Task Manager and is
compatible with existing antivirus software.
Does it do what it promises?
Reviewer 1 – Name Withheld By Request: In spite
of being called a Task Manager, this program does far more than
the Windows Task Manager does. AnVir claims not only to monitor
applications, processes, services, and startup programs, but
also promises to get rid of spyware and viruses, enhance and
tune up XP, Vista, or Windows 7, and speed up the computer's
startup. On the whole, it fulfills these claims well.
Reviewer 2 – Dana Bostick: Touted as a "Must
Have" tool for power users, this program does exactly what it
promises. It is a feature rich application that allows for
control of many Windows functions. Additionally, it helps to
spot and remove viruses by alerting of potentially harmful start
up processes that could be signs of a virus intrusion. Anvir
then flags and removes the item from startup (and delete the
files if desired). It will also capture the offending file and
send it to an online scanning service for evaluation.
Reviewer 3 – Dana Cardwell: Yes, it does manage
all running processes from one interface as well as providing
other tools to allow a user to make Windows and non-Windows
customizations to direct how Windows and other installed
software operate.
Reviewer 4 – Peter Royle: Yes, this program
significantly expands the features and functions of the Windows
Task Manager. The "Swiss Army Knife" graphic of the AnVir Task
Manager on their Web site is an excellent representation of its
many tools. Sometimes, though, one needs a simple knife with one
blade, so I would not replace the built-in Windows Task Manager
with AnVir Task Manager as is proposed. That said, I like many
of the features of the AnVir Task Manager, so I keep it handy
when I need easy access to its more elaborate abilities.
Reviewer 5 – Mark Snyder: Yes. My only caveat
is in its suggestion that it will “keep your computer free from
malicious programs.” It can help a user in this regard but no
more. It is not and should not be confused with an
antispyware/anti-malware type of program.
Was it easy to install?
Reviewer 1 – Name Withheld By Request:
Installation of the 5.76 MB file was pretty easy, but there were
some problematic aspects. Although I was asked whether I wanted
AnVir to add a shortcut in the Quick Launch Bar, it installed a
shortcut icon on my Desktop without asking me. It also tried to
insert itself into the Startup menu without asking. I try to
keep to a minimum the number of programs that launch at startup,
and I saw no reason to include AnVir in that group. (Ironically,
one of AnVir's features is to warn the user when a program tries
to insert itself into the Startup menu without permission!)
Perhaps the most annoying aspect of the installation was my
being offered a chance to install a program called Registry
Cleaner Pro. When I clicked on a link to learn more, I was taken
to the Web site of a company called iXiTools, which makes and
sells Registry Cleaner Pro. This seemed highly inappropriate as
part of the installation process.
Reviewer 2 – Dana Bostick:
Yes, Anvir Task Manager uses a typical install routine. One
complaint I had was that the install included a pre-checked box
to install "Dealio toolbar" and set Yahoo as the default search
provider. There are also a number of other software
"suggestions" that it wishes to install that are also
pre-checked. I can understand this type of "shovelware” being
added or offered for a free program but not for one that lists
for $70 retail. Unfortunately, this is a prevalent practice that
must be monitored during every installation to avoid installing
a lot of extra resource-hogging software.
Reviewer 3 – Dana Cardwell:
Yes, the 5.88 MB downloaded exe file installed without any
problems or conflicts. The installation did produce many
shortcuts to start the program: desktop, Start Menu in Programs,
Start Menu above Programs, and Quick Launch bar. Considering
that utilization of the best features of the program requires
Anvir Task Manager Pro load at startup, I feel that this many
ways to start the program excessive and cluttering.
Reviewer 4 – Peter Royle:
The installation opens with the EULA. (End-Users Licence
Agreement) in the main window, and two check-boxes: one to add a
shortcut to the Quick Launch, and the other to Open AnVir's Web
Site (plus a hyperlink to the site) and the default installation
directory showing in a small window near the bottom. The next
screen proposes offers to install the "Dealio" toolbar for
Internet Explorer and Firefox, making Yahoo the default search
engine, along with other advertising. I chose not to do this.
The next screen proposes three more products, which I also
unchecked. It would be a much better installation procedure had
it opened just as it did, then installed AnVir Task Manager,
without all the advertising. (Please see Weak Points below.)
The installation will put the AnVir Task Manager into start-up
programs, so that it will be running all the time when the
computer is on. Any program that attempts to do this without my
permission always starts me off on a bad footing with that
program. Programs may wish to run automatically when they start,
but they must ask the user for his/her agreement before doing
so. With WinPatrol, I disabled this feature.
Reviewer 5 – Mark Snyder:
Yes! The surprisingly small (for such a robust and
feature-filled program) 5.9MB file downloaded in a matter of
seconds on a moderately fast broadband connection and required a
meager 1MB of available hard drive space. There is a smooth and
event-free standard wizard to aid in installation. I was less
than happy that by default it places itself in my start-up
program and runs several processes in the background—sprinkling
icons in my system tray—but this was able to be corrected later
through configuration settings. The EULA (End user License
Agreement) was a fairly standard single license, i.e. use on
only a single computer, which I do find penurious-especially for
software priced at over $70.00—and contained the standard
disclaimers as to liability. The EULA is written in one of the
most straightforward and easily understood EULA’s I have seen.
Good points.
Reviewer 1 – Name Withheld By
Request: AnVir Task Manager Pro
offers a number of features that I have found very useful. In
contrast to the Windows Task Manager, AnVir has sections showing
not just Applications and Processes but also Services, Startup
Items, and a Log that records in chronological order each time a
process is created or terminated or a window is created. All
sections include detailed information about each item listed.
For example, for programs listed in the Startup section, AnVir
provides the version number, the company name, and other
information about the program, as well as the option to go to
the program's location in Windows Explorer or to open the
program's location in the Registry using RegEdit.
While the Windows Task Manager can place a small icon in the
system tray that indicates current CPU usage, AnVir's Task
Manager offers the possibility of as many as five system tray
icons: one to indicate CPU usage, one that measures the load and
temperature of the hard drive, one that indicates memory usage,
one that measures current usage of network adapters, and one
that shows the current state of a laptop's battery. It is also
possible to combine two indicators in one. I chose to put
together the CPU and memory indicators to show me at a glance
the current state of my computer's CPU and memory usage.
Moreover, if I put my cursor over the icon, I'm told how much
memory my computer has, the overall percentage of memory and CPU
currently being used, and the amount each program is using. If I
wish, I can keep this listing visible by pinning it anywhere on
the computer.
AnVir Task Manager also offers several worthwhile features
related to computer security. Easily accessible from the main
menu is the option to send any file to the Web site VirusTotal,
where the file will be quickly analyzed by more than three dozen
different antivirus programs, including almost all the major
ones. Also on the main menu is an option to save a log for a
malware analysis tool AnVir calls HijackThisPro; the log is
similar to that created by the readily available tool HiJackThis
but includes AnVir's "security risk" ratings and other
information. AnVir also makes it easy to add or remove any
program from the computer's startup menu or to place it in
delayed startup. Two other useful features are Startup Guard and
Blocked Processes. The former allows the user to indicate
programs that should be automatically deleted from the Startup
menu if they try to reinsert themselves, while the latter
enables the user to identify undesired processes that should be
automatically terminated immediately after they start.
Reviewer 2 – Dana Bostick:
After a short evaluation period, I substituted Anvir Task
Manager Pro for Windows task manager and never looked back. It's
that good!
Anvir Task Manager Pro provides a great looking, professionally
narrated and very thorough video tutorial that gives a very good
overview of all the functions and capabilities of this software.
Anvir can be set up to run in place of the regular Windows task
manager (normally called up by the three key combination
control-alt-delete) and I highly recommend this. It provides so
much more information and additional capabilities, that it makes
the regular Windows task manager look sad by comparison. The
installer is only 5.8 megabytes and once installed, the actual
directory size is even less! This is wonderful news in these
days of extremely bloated installed size found in most
applications. I was pleasantly surprised!
Another useful feature is the ability to delay a particular
startup item that may be causing problems, thus allowing use of
the computer sooner without waiting for everything to fully
load. This can be a useful feature for troubleshooting a very
long restart or to determine if some particular application in
startup is hanging up the entire process.
Reviewer 3: Dana Cardwell:
A major consideration of any new software is how hard it will be
to learn how to use it. Anvir Task Manager Pro makes this
learning process easier with a two- step method. First, a new
user should watch the short video tutorial that demonstrates
what Anvir Task Manager Pro can do. After that, the user should
consult the user’s guide found on Anvir’s Web site. The guide
can be downloaded, but I found it easier to use the Web site’s
guide because it had a table of contents for quickly finding
specific topics.
Anvir Task Manager Pro is a combination of several tools, the
task manager being the main tool. The Task Manager of Anvir Task
Manager Pro goes way beyond Windows task manager in numerous
ways and adds functions to task managing that were not possible
with Window’s task manager.
The function that I like most about Anvir Task Manager Pro is
the delayed starting of startup programs. Like most users I have
some programs that need to start when I boot up. I keep this
list as small as possible, but these programs start as soon as
Windows finishes and monopolize my PC with their start up
functions. I then must wait until these programs complete before
I can use my PC. After using Anvir Task Manager Pro to time
delay some of those start up programs, I found that I was able
to use my PC sooner after the start up than I used to. This is a
small amount of time if measured, but to me it has been a very
pleasant enhancement to my system.
I was very pleased with how Anvir Task Manager Pro handled one
program that would add itself to the start up each time it was
opened. It goes beyond the typical start up manager by helping
me decide which programs should be allowed at startup by
providing information on the programs along with its security
rating system. If Anvir Task Manager Pro does not have
information on a file, it has a link to Google with responses to
a query about the file. I was able to find detailed information
about a file and what it did and then decide whether or not I
wanted to let it start up. Although I am diligent about keeping
my start up list lean, I was able to shorten my start up time
even more.
I like the way Anvir Task Manager Pro shows the start up files
for Internet Explorer. These IE add ons are not displayed in
many other start up manager type programs. I could easily see
what files had been added to IE and if the programs were
running.
I found that the description of services listed in Anvir Task
Manager Pro to be very helpful in turning off some services I
don’t use or need running. It was easy to turn on and off
services from within Anvir Task Manager Pro.
As a start up, processes, and services manager, Anvir Task
Manager Pro is an excellent performer. In all my tests I did not
have Anvir Task Manager Pro fail to stop a program from starting
on system boot up. I really like the added function to my open
and save windows as I open and save files in many different
locations and drives. This feature has saved me drill-down trips
through the explorer to open and save boxes.
The tweaker tool in Anvir Task Manager Pro is very is to use
with a large number of customizations. Many of the settings are
Registry edits that I already had employed. I found the
organization of the tweaks to be very helpful in locating a
specific tweak. With a simple check or uncheck I could test
different tweaks to see exactly what benefits it offered. The
long list of tweaks allowed me to apply those tweaks I would use
and omit others, resulting in the customization I desire without
side effects.
Most of the other tools are either link to some Web site for
scanning, software download, or file checker, or access to
Windows utilities.
Anvir Task Manager Pro adds new context menu items to allow me
to change the transparency of any window as well as change the
window’s size. This new context menu items has given me many
different ways to manage many open windows at the same time.
Reviewer 4 – Peter Royle:
The “View Demo” button on the AnVir Task Manager Web site gives
a very good introduction to the software; with step-by-step
instructions for each of the main modules. It is a replication
of the program as it would appear on one’s computer, showing
what it does and how to use it. There is a pane to the left of
the main demo screen, like a table of contents of the demo.
Clicking on any of those headings navigates to that part of the
video.
This is a “toolbox” program which gives an extensive and
detailed analysis of all Applications, Processes and Services
running at any point in time. The Applications Tab of AnVir Task
Manager opens the same list as Windows Task Manager but
underneath, there are three windows side-by-side. Each of the
three windows is filled with information about the selected
application: an analysis of the Security Risks of that
application, the Startup/Services Database, and the Process
Properties. But that is just the "General Tab" for that
application. There are 10 other tabs for that application:
Product Information, DLL, Files, Connections, Performance,
Statistics, Windows, Threads, Handles, Driver.
In the Start-up Tab, not only are all the programs that run at
startup listed, again with all eleven tabs and their associated
windows as above, but these can be grouped in about a dozen
different ways by going through a "Tree Window Pane" on the
left. One very useful item is "Delayed Start-up". Normally,
Windows loads all startup items while it boots up and the
computer cannot be used until this is all finished. But some of
those programs could wait, and load, still automatically, but
later – allowing use of the computer much more quickly. Some
anti-malware programs, for example, will download and install
their updates when the computer is first booted and this can be
very frustrating to wait for all that to happen. The Delayed
start-up feature allows the user to set some programs to the
Default delay time (1 minute) or to a Custom Delay time -- which
can be defined as desired.
The Log tab is also very interesting. This gives a history of
everything that has occurred in the computer that day. Many
times when I have run into problems, I have needed to know
exactly what was happening just before the problems occurred;
this log will provide that information.
One feature that I particularly like is the ability to
right-click on a file that appears in one of the modules of
AnVir Task Manager to upload it to the VirusTotal service. This
is a free service offered by Hispasec Sistermas. Any file
uploaded there is scanned by 40 or more different anti-virus
programs. There is a disclaimer on the site that "Although the
detection rate afforded by the use of multiple anti-virus
engines is far superior to that offered by just one product,
these results do not guarantee the harmlessness of a file." Even
though the files that I first sent to the VirusTotal service
were from within AnVir Task Manager, one can browse to any file
while on the site, or send a file via email. Quite often, I
discover an unknown program trying to install itself in my
computer's start-up process, and I do not know whether or not I
should let it do so .. This now allows me to get a fairly good
idea of the program’s security risk.
Another feature that I have grown to appreciate is the
information that AnVir Task Manager can provide about any of the
files that it shows me in one or another of its modules. Using
the built-in Windows Task Manager, I have often seen programs
listed whose names mean absolutely nothing to me. If they are
unneeded, or more especially if they are dangerous, I would like
to remove them, but the Task Manager is not very informative.
AnVir Task Manager has helped me to decide whether or not I need
to worry about some of those perennial mysteries.
Since I first downloaded AnVir Task Manager, there have been
three updates, showing that the developers are continuing to
work and improve the program. When an update has been released,
a window opens when the program is started, announcing the name
of the new version, and showing the name of the installed
version. Opening the download site shows version history with
features of the last several updates and the new update is
downloaded and installed in seconds without user intervention.
There is extensive help available, as mentioned previously, on
the Web Site Demo; or, the entire documentation file (2.1 mb)
can be downloaded. There is also an on-line forum, where users
can post questions, comments and suggestions. It is quite
closely monitored by the developers; any questions that I posted
there were answered within one day.
The Tools Tab on the Main Window accesses many other functions
of Windows that a novice find difficult to locate. Under one of
the items in this toolbox, "Vista/XP Tweaker" there are dozens
of ways to customize the way a computer runs. When I accessed
this menu for the first time, I was prompted to do a Windows
Restore. This is very smart, as it allows me to go back to my
present set-up (which is working satisfactorily) if I make some
changes that I do not like and am not sure how to reverse.
Reviewer 5 – Mark Snyder:
All of those often used metaphors or phrases such as “the Swiss
army knife of” or ”this is a program on steroids” applies here.
In fact, rarely have I seen a program with a nearly insane
number of features as this one. Simply put, it is not just an
alternative to the Windows Task Manager but a program that
offers a window (no pun intended) into the inner workings of
one’s operating system as well as a few added tools to aid in
keeping the computer safe. So, apart from offering the usual
process monitoring chores such as found in Task Manager and the
ability to drill down into each of those items almost
infinitely, a few features I found noteworthy:
• It places several icons in the system tray to provide
information on CPU usage and Processes; drive listing, load, and
free space; and a right-click ability to view recent launched
programs.
• It offers the ability to send suspicious files to
VirusTotal.com for scanning.
• It reportedly has 70,000+ descriptions for start-up programs
and services it can use to ascertain the legitimacy of those
found on any computer.
• An interesting feature is that the program places three small
buttons adjacent to the minimize/close buttons at the top
right-hand corner of any open windows. These additional buttons
minimizes the window to the system tray, another pins the window
so that it stays on top, and another minimizes the window to a
floating icon on the desktop.
Again, there truly are an insane number of features ranging from
balancing CPU usage by running programs and services, optimizing
memory, managing startup applications with the ability to
arrange for delayed startups, to a set of tweaks to customize
the operating system for potentially increase performance or
better usability. Even this only scratches the surface of the
possibilities with this program. In fact, I counted well over
100 features or sub-features available through Anvir Task
Manager Pro. There is much to like with this program; however,
there is much to dislike as well.
Weak points.
Reviewer 1 – Name Withheld By
Request: AnVir assigns a
"security risk" rating to every program, process, and service
that it lists. I found these ratings at times misleading and
unhelpful. For no apparent reason, it flagged the very useful
and sophisticated shortcut program ActiveWords as a 30% security
risk that merited a red "danger" designation. It claimed that
Palm's HotSync Manager posed a 24% security risk. Even my APC
UPS battery backup, which simply keeps my computer running if
there's a power failure, was said to pose a 12% risk. I wrote to
tech support to ask about these puzzling ratings; I received a
prompt but perfunctory response that said simply that the
ratings were based on a program's behavior. The more specific
questions that I asked remained unanswered.
I had reason to question AnVir's listings in other ways as well.
The Startup listing claimed that there were no programs that had
a delayed startup, but in fact I had several programs that were
set to start automatically at spaced intervals after the regular
startup had been completed. I had used WinPatrol to arrange for
the delayed startups; apparently AnVir did not recognize these
delayed startups, even though the system did. AnVir also did not
seem to recognize when a program was no longer on my computer.
After uninstalling the program HDDLife, for example, I found it
still listed among the programs that would start at startup. I
told AnVir to remove it from this list and terminate the
service. AnVir removed the program from Startup and reported
that it had changed the start type of the service to "on
demand".
I was somewhat put off by AnVir's needlessly alarmist language.
When I asked AnVir to delete a program from the Startup list,
instead of simply removing it, AnVir produced a pop-up box that
said, "Delete [Program X] from the registry? You will not be
able to undo this action!" Such a statement, complete with
exclamation point, is alarmist and inaccurate. If I decide to
put a program back in the Startup menu, I can certainly do so
and can make changes in the Registry to enable this. Similarly,
if I want AnVir to disable a service or a startup item, the
command I have to choose is not just "Disable" but "Disable
(Quarantine)," as if the program or service were malware that
should be sealed off from the rest of the computer.
AnVir Task Manager Pro offers a huge number of features. In some
ways, that's a strength, but I also found it to be a weakness.
All too often, after discovering a feature I liked, I had a hard
time locating it again. There are simply so many features
scattered about in a number of different places. To make matters
worse, AnVir offers no Help information that can be used without
connecting to the Internet.
I was dismayed by AnVir's practice of sending the user to other
companies' Web sites to use (and presumably buy) those
companies' commercial software to accomplish tasks that the
AnVir Task Manager misleadingly offers to provide. I already
mentioned one example in my discussion of the Task Manager's
installation process. I came upon this again in several places
within the program. For example, AnVir's Tools section offers
the user an opportunity to run a Registry scan, run a
performance scan, or get drivers updates. There is no indication
that these are not part of AnVir's array of services; however,
clicking on any of these three options takes the user to the Web
sites of other companies to download those companies' commercial
software. (Actually, in one case I was prevented from accessing
a site AnVir linked to; Malwarebytes Anti-Malware blocked the
site for drivers updates, claiming it had a malicious IP.) Thus,
some of AnVir's "Tools" are essentially advertisements for other
companies' products. Such practices lessened my confidence in
the AnVir company's integrity.
Reviewer 2 – Dana Bostick: The only weak point I discovered
in using this program over the last several months was Anvir’s
attempt, during the install process, to slip in extra software,
a toolbar, and to change my default search provider to Yahoo.
With a program of this caliber (and cost) it's not necessary and
it only reduces the credibility of Anvir’s application and
almost throws it into the category of “scam" software that has
little value and feels it needs to inflate that value or make
additional profit from adding useless junk programs.
Reviewer 3 – Dana Cardwell:
Anvir Task Manager Pro should include a search function for the
user’s guide to make finding a specific topic easier.
The Security rating was totally wrong about several of my
programs. I’m sure it has to do with the program’s algorithm,
but increased security risk for my on-board audio program was
way off target. Based upon some of the security ratings I
obtained of known safe software, I could not trust the security
ratings and had to rely on program information in making a
decision about a specific program. Since I had no malware to
test with, I could not judge that ability of the security
ratings; however, the false positives were enough to not use the
security ratings in determining the start up status for a file.
The “tools” of Registry Scan, Performance Scan, and Get Drivers
update are links to Web sites for online scanning and software
download for the driver update. These “tools” should be listed
as links for this service and not as a program tool.
Reviewer 4 – Peter Royle:
As mentioned above one must be careful during the installation
or upgrade process to not inadvertently install additional
programs. Clicking through all the steps of the installation
process can install the Dealio toolbar, make Yahoo the default
search engine, and install an enfeebled, trial version of
Registry Cleaner Pro. This detracts from the good features of
the AnVir Task Manager itself. The association of the Task
Manager program with such somewhat questionable practices
creates a suspicion that stains the reputation of AnVir. None of
these other products, as far as I could tell, are produced by
AnVir, but by other companies. This is in no way a comment on
these other programs, as I am not familiar with them or use
them. It is the bundling of one or more other programs into one
installation process that I find objectionable.
Although I like the idea of the Vista/XP Tweaker, there needs to
be much more help available about what each of the tweaks could
do. For example, this one may seem obvious: "Disable the ability
to edit Windows registry". But if I select this one, am I not
changing the Registry? And if I select it, would I now not be
able to effect any other tweaks? Does this apply to all users,
or only to the user who is logged on at the time? Would the
computer Administrator be able to override this choice? What
seems to be simple at first glance could turn out to be really
problematic. So I would be very hesitant to use this tool unless
I had some indication of what the tweak actually does, what its
potential effects could be, and how to change it back again.
Reviewer 5 – Mark Snyder:
There is an old aphorism about trying to put ten pounds of flour
in a five pound bag and never was that saying more appropriate
than with this program. As mentioned above, there are literally
hundreds of features and sub features each with the ability to
drill down further into each feature’s reporting or analyzing
ability. As a result, the program and the GUI (Graphic User
Interface) become so cluttered as to be almost impossible to use
effectively. Even the “Start-Up Window” is a patchwork of
graphs, grids, dialogue boxes, and applets.
In addition, I have to seriously question the need for some of
the information made available. How often do you need to kill an
active TCP connection (assuming the average user even knows what
it is, which I doubt)? Or view which DLL files are being used by
each individual process? Or view the author of an executable?
Beyond these general criticisms, I found the following items to
be problematic at best and cause for concern at worst:
• First and foremost is AnVir’s decision to engage in what I
believe to be one of the most onerous practices we have begun
seeing today in software downloads: the attempt to install other
third part programs as a part of the installation process. In
this instance, if not careful, one will install Yahoo as the
default search engine as well as the Delio toolbar-a tool bar
which has been reported to be very difficult to remove. I know
that many software developers--many respected developers such as
Adobe--are now doing this as a deceptive form of raising
advertising dollars, but this does not make it right nor does it
indicate to me a company that is consumer oriented.
• The security ratings are almost useless due to what I would
call false/positives. It identified as high risk such well known
programs on my computer as Comodo Firewall, AOL, and other such
common and widely used programs.
• It needs to penetrate my firewall constantly to phone home. I
assume this is a part of its need to access its database but I
still found it troubling.br />
• Once a month the program connects to a web server to check
whether updates are available. I tend not to allow this, as I
would rather check manually. According to the Help File the only
way to disable this function is by editing the Windows
Registry—something few but advanced users should be asked or
suggested to do.
• Upon uninstalling the program settings made by the program
such as to the startup list, users will not be returned to
default or where they were prior to using the program. Some
settings, such as re-enabling start-up items, are relatively
easy to do but other items—especially those performed in the
“tweaks” suggestion may require editing the Windows Registry.
• The program has a very high use of computer
resources—consuming over twice as much memory as does Windows
Task Manager.
• Memory optimization will more likely slow one’s computer
rather than speed it up as most of these optimizations amount to
little more than working with the memory swap file which, over
time, can actually have a negative effect on the system.
• Support. While there is a support forum and adequate help
files, the only technical support is by email only, with no
indication of turnaround time. In my tests for support, one
email was never answered and a second was answered only after
three days. This is not what I would call adequate for a
software program that insinuates itself so deeply and
intricately into one’s operating system with all of the
potential for problems inherent in such.
While almost any one of these items is cause for concern, when
taken as a whole I am prevented from recommending this program
to any but the most advanced user. Even then, my recommendation
is qualified due to the aforementioned attempt to install a
toolbar and highjack my search engine.
Developer's Web site.
Reviewer 1 – Name Withheld By
Request: The AnVir Web site
offers much useful information about AnVir Task Manager,
including a video tutorial that demonstrates the program's major
features, a chart that compares features available in the
program's four versions, a User's Guide that offers basic
information about the program's features, a link to a support
forum, and more. Unfortunately, the Web site also prominently
promotes non-AnVir services for cleaning and optimizing the
Registry and for improving system performance; the promotion, on
the Documentation/User's Guide page, makes it seem as if these
are AnVir features, but clicking on them takes the user to
another company's Web site where these programs can be
downloaded and purchased.
Reviewer 2 – Dana Bostick:
The Web site is clean and professional, with no flash objects or
animation. There were clearly marked tabs for demo, features,
downloads, buy now, support and company. The available "Demo"
video is very good, and does a great job of explaining and
illustrating the capabilities of the software. There were
clearly marked links along the left side to tables comparing the
various editions as well as an extensive page of screenshots
with links on each to details about that particular area.
Reviewer 3: Dana Cardwell:
Anvir Task Manager Pro Web site
is easy to navigate, but each and every page has advertisements.
I do like the index on the left that makes finding what one
wants very easy. The forums appear to be active and current and
it appeared that answers to problems come mostly from the site
administrator.
Reviewer 4: Peter Royle:
The Web site is dedicated uniquely to
the various versions of AnVir Task Manager. The panel on the
right and the tabs across the top make it very easy to get
easily to any point on the site. I particularly like the fact
that access to the extensive documentation, support, forum and
other assistance is as easily available as the commercial parts
of the site. The development team is to be commended that there
is no other advertising or other distracting banners, flash
presentations and so forth. In spite of the fact that it
contains a lot of information, it is easy to use and very
professional.
A rather nice touch is on the "Buy Now" page of the site. Just
above the table listing the prices of the various versions of
the program is an important question:
Q: Can I use one license on few computers?
A: Yes, you can. One license can be used by one user on few
computer, e.g. you can use one license both on your home and
work computers.
Kudos to the AnVir people for this enlightened approach to their
licencing. Additional kudos for being so up-front, and
publishing this policy where people will be sure to see it,
instead of hiding it somewhere in the verbiage of the EULA (End
Users License Agreement).
Reviewer 5 – Mark Snyder:
The Web site is rather unattractive and
outdated in appearance; although, it is laid out well and easily
navigable. Obviously, it is not updated often as it is still
offers a Christmas special dated December 7, 2009.
Other comments.
Reviewer 1 – Name Withheld By
Request: As the web site makes
clear, AnVir Task Manager comes in four different versions: Task
Manager Free, Task Manager, Task Manager Pro (the version the
Neat Net Tricks panel tested), and Security Suite. Though I am
happy to have a copy of the Pro version, my needs would probably
also be well met by the less expensive Task Manager version.
Many may find that the Free version offers what they need. The
prospective user can compare the four versions at
http://www.anvir.com/task-manager-windows-startup.htm .
Reviewer 2 – Dana Bostick:
TThis is a very capable, well
designed and power-user level program. It is a useful
replacement for the default Windows task manager. The user
interface is well laid out and easy-to-use. The depth of the
information available to the user is truly amazing. Some of the
additional functionality that Anvir provides is the ability to
link out to Uniblue’s Drive Scanner to update drivers and to
send any file with suspected virus to the "VirusTotal" site for
evaluation.
Anvir Task Manager’s main screen uses a number of panes to
display pertinent information, starting with a row of tabs
across the top for "Startup", "Applications", "Processes",
"Services", & "Log". The Startup tab displays a three pane
window; the left pane being a directory-like list of the types
of startups, broken down into “regular” startup, “files”,
“services” & “Internet Explorer” items. br />
Clicking on the individual startup type displays all the startup
items under that type in the right-hand pane. Clicking on one of
the individual items in the right pane displays detailed
information in the lower pane including general information,
specific product information, a listing of DLLs associated with
that startup item, the full path for active files of that item,
any "connections" such as UDP or TCP connections that the
startup item has opened or is listening to, a performance graph
for that item if it is active, statistics about that item, any
Windows, invisible or otherwise, that the item has opened with
current threads the item has opened, the handles associated with
the item, and a listing of drivers. The information that Anvir
Task Manager Pro provides is extremely detailed and displayed
in-depth if desired. The other tabs provide similar information
detail about applications, processes, running services etc. The
Log provides a time-stamped list of every activity that has
occurred with time, event, and data about the activity. Support
is available through a very detailed online users guide and via
email or Forum in which the majority of questions appear to be
handled presumably by an Anvir staff member.
Reviewer 3: Dana Cardwell:
Anvir Task Manager Pro is a good start up manager and tweaker,
but, at about $50.00, this is a high priced start up manager and
tweaker. There are some other goodies, but they don’t justify
the high cost considering there are many start up managers and
tweakers for much less and some are free.
Reviewer 4 – Peter Royle:
There is a Freeware version of AnVir Task Manager that offers
fewer features than the Pro version being reviewed here. Between
these two is one which might be considered to be a "Standard"
version as well as a complete "Security Suite." Users who are
interested can view the comparison of the four versions on the
site. Besides viewing the Demo to see all the features of the
Pro version, users could also opt to run the freeware version
for as long as they like, before downloading and trying one of
the other versions for the 20-day trial period. The main
drawback of the Pro version is the price, but sometimes there
are specials that bring the cost of the program into the range
that I would be prepared to pay.
Reviewer 5 – Mark Snyder:
I found much not to like about this program, but, if one is an
advanced user or just enjoys knowing the truly “geeky” innards
of the operating system, he or she may be willing to overlook
some of my criticisms and be willing to put in the time
necessary time to get familiar with the many features and get
past the clutter. For anyone else, it is simply not only too
much flour in too little a sack but TMI (too much information).
Will you continue to use it?
Reviewer 1 – Name Withheld By
Request: Yes, but primarily for
information about memory and CPU usage. I will ignore the
misleading "security risk" ratings and the links to other
companies' commercial software, and I will depend on WinPatrol
for setting and monitoring items in the startup and delayed
startup menus.
Reviewer 2 – Dana Bostick: Absolutely, this program has
become my default task manager on both of my computers in place
of Windows task manager, which pales in comparison.
Reviewer 3 - Dana Cardwell:
Yes.
Reviewer 4 – Peter Royle:
Yes, I have it even set it to run at start-up.
Reviewer 5 – Mark Snyder:
No.
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OPERATING SYSTEMS USED IN THIS REVIEW
Windows XP Pro, XP Home, XP Media Center, Vista Home Premium
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