Updated version released - jv16 PowerTools 7.3.1.1372

jv16

siliconman01 wrote

jv16 wrote

siliconman01 wrote

System Optimizer is not creating system restore points prior to cleaning. I've never encountered a Windows 10/11 restriction that states only one Store Point can be created per day. I can manually create as many restore points as I want to.

SystemRestorePoint.png

The Windows System Restore Point functionality is from our (i.e. developer) point of view a black box, where we can kindly ask Windows to please create a System Restore Point because we would like to have one created, and then Windows creates one if it wants to. If it doesn't create one, there is unfortunately nothing we can do about that. The one restore point per day is something we have noticed to happen in our testing. It clearly does not apply to Windows own System Restore Point creation functionality.

I honestly feel that you should re-evaluate how jv16 "creates a restore point". There are a multitude of programs that positively create restore points before they perform a specific function...such as install a new driver on a user's system. I feel that jv16 should assure that a restore point is created before System Cleaner and other tools perform their function. Sometimes a using Restore Point is the quickest technique to get a system back to normal if an error is made by the utility program such a jv16.

There are two main issues with System Restore Points from our point of view: Firstly, sometimes the creation of a System Restore Point simply fails. Sometimes with some error message returned, sometimes Windows say nothing about any error. Secondly, using the System Restore Point can be slow. In some systems, this can take over 10 seconds. What is it that you are exactly suggesting? That we add the possible 10+ second delay to before System Cleaner starts? And what if System Restore Point fails for some reason, we don't allow user to run System Cleaner?

I see what you are suggesting and I generally agree that creating System Restore Points is a good idea. But I just don't know how we could do that without causing a lot of annoyance to users.

jv16

Arctucas wrote

jv16 wrote

Arctucas wrote

So far, so good.

One thing that irks me; PowerTools 'phoning home'.

It immediately tries to make several internet connection upon install, and the "Automatically check for product updates" is set by default.

That's because we don't want people to use old versions of the app. Before having the automatic check for product updates feature, we would get feedback and bug reports of versions which were months or even years old. I'm sure you can understand that it's very frustrating to realize people are using very old program versions without knowing there are updated versions available.

The details of what data is being sent during these connections is detailed in the program's License Agreement (a copy of which is stored at \jv16 PowerTools\Help\License Agreement.txt).

Plus, you can disable the automatic product updates checks if you don't wish to use that feature.

With all these points, I would say jv16 PowerTools is one of the more privacy friendly apps out there.

All fair points.

Except, my belief is that it should be the option and responsibility of the end user.

If we leave this to the end users, then we are back at square one, having people using many years old versions of the program. Which is why we have the option for the app to check for updates, and that you can disable that if you don't wish to use that. Unlike in many other apps, where you cannot disable such functionality at all. So, again, I would argue that jv16 PowerTools is much more user friendly and privacy friendly than most other apps out there.

Arctucas wrote

Perhaps during installation, a pop-up appears (before PowerTools initiates internet connection attempt) that states something to the effect of "Thank you for choosing to install PowerTools. Would you like to allow the application to connect to the internet to check for the latest version?"

Also, another pop-up could state "PowerTools is able to check automatically for updates. Would you like to enable this option?"

I don't think our installation system (NSIS) supports such functionality, but what we could do is add this as an option to the installer as a checkbox that users can disable if they so wish. I think that could work.

jv16

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