AppControl vs ASTRA32

AppControl is a free historical Task Manager for Windows that records system activity and application behavior over time. It keeps approximately 72 hours of second-by-second history covering CPU, GPU, memory, disk, temperature, and app events. Executables are described in plain language with publisher, signature, and elevated-privilege information. Alerts can flag webcam, microphone, or location access, along with new or unsigned apps and silent updates. Users can disable an app, block a publisher, and create rules to stop software from returning. History is stored locally. An optional MCP server connects compatible AI clients after you enable it and approve data access; its nine tools are read-only and cannot change rules or configuration. A command-line tool shows live resource use and process events. AppControl supports modern Windows 10 and Windows 11, requires administrator privileges to install, and is not an antivirus replacement.

ASTRA32 provides system configuration information and computer diagnostics for Windows PCs. It identifies hardware including processors, motherboards, BIOS, chipsets, memory, storage, graphics, audio, network, USB, SCSI, and other devices. Its Drivers Troubleshooter lists physical devices with missing or improperly installed drivers. For storage, it reads hard-drive S.M.A.R.T. information, including from drives attached through external UDMA, SATA, or RAID controllers, and calculates remaining SSD life. It can also report on Windows, installed programs, and hotfixes. Reports can be saved as TXT, INI, HTML, XML, or CSV. Batch mode supports report profiles and macros, and a standalone version can run without installation. ASTRA32 reports can be imported into Hardware Inspector inventory management software. The maker identifies PC repair technicians and system administrators as potential users. The program is free for non-commercial purposes. The listed Windows range runs from Windows 95/98/ME through Windows 11 x64, and a DOS version is also available.