7.5 Beta 2

Disclaimer AdGuard for Windows is not an open-source project. We use Github as an open bug tracker for users to see what developers are working on.

It seems reasonable to test the waters before releasing a new version. Usually, we make two betas - the first one is more brash and bold, and the second one is more cautious and focused on bug fixes and improvements of the previous one.

AdGuard for Windows 7.5 beta 2 features important UI-related tasks. We also fixed the localization error that occurred when using Simplified Chinese in the app and improved the efficiency of CoreLibs filtering engine.

Changelog

• [Enhancement] Upgrade CoreLibs to 1.7.12 #3458
• [Fixed] Recently added filter won't show up in the filter editor #3340
• [Fixed] List of built-in DNS servers is doubled on UI #3456
• [Fixed] Selecting Simplified Chinese leads to problems with subscriptions #3457
• [Other] "Not Found" icon carries over to other Settings sections #3413

7.5 Beta 1

Disclaimer AdGuard for Windows is not an open-source project. We use Github as an open bug tracker for users to see what developers are working on.

The first beta has arrived, and there is a lot to unpack. To kick things off, AdGuard for Windows can disable Windows 10 Tracking using an out-of-the-box solution: you don’t need to bother with any settings. Windows tracking heads the list, followed by the introduction of long-awaited DNS filtering and social login. And the Browser Assistant pausing protection for 30 seconds brings up the rear.

DNS filtering

This feature has been long present in other AdGuard products. Not only will the DNS module protect your DNS traffic from the ISP’s and fraudsters’ interception, it will also block ads. However, it’s important to stress that the DNS doesn’t replace normal protection, rather it works best when coupled with it.

We have a wide and regularly updated database of domain names, and now you can set it up on AdGuard for Windows.

You can choose the server type (DNS-over-HTTPS/DNS-over-TLS, etc.) that suits your needs best or add your own custom DNS server. Also, here is a link to our knowledge base, where we have collected the most popular DNS providers and added a quick setup option. One click, and your DNS is ready for use.

Disable Windows 10 Tracking

Windows Tracking has four options: you can disable Windows telemetry, turn off advertising ID, disable Windows Defender automatic samples submission and disable WAP push message routing service.

To illustrate the significance of disabling system telemetry, let’s take Cortana, a virtual assistant similar to Alisa or Siri, but developed by Microsoft. Its feature set is enabled by default and periodically sends usage and performance data to Microsoft. Those assistants help, but they also gather a lot of statistics. If you, as a user, have privacy concerns (which is completely understandable and even expected in this day and age), we’ll help to disable telemetry nice and easy.

As for removing an Advertising ID, if you checkmark this option, you will become invisible to advertising disseminators and, consequently, will stop receiving Microsoft ads.

Authorization and license activation via social networks

This function has already been available in our app for Android. We decided to add it here, too, because it’s truly a convenience feature.

Now, you have one more option of how to activate your license: not only via logging to your AdGuard personal account or manually entering your license key. If the email from your AdGuard personal account and the email you use for authorization in Google or Facebook are the same, you can simply authorize via these social networks. No more trying to remember email/password from your personal account and entering it! One click, and you are logged in and your license key is activated.

Pause protection for 30 seconds

In v7.4 we introduced the new BA – more independent, glorious and autonomous. But despite it’s good in many aspects, some users asked us to return one missing thing from the old Assistant. So we did.

The old Assistant had a menu option ‘Do not filter for 30 seconds’. For instance, this function will help when you need to visit a website that won’t work when an ad blocker is enabled. In this case it makes sense to briefly disable filtering and see its content. That’s what the returned back ‘Do not filter for 30 seconds’ is also used for. But we went further and made it more convenient by adding a new function called ‘Disable protection for 30 seconds’. It will disable filtering on all websites for the same time period. You can find it in the tray menu of the main app.

Four major tasks don’t seem like a big deal. “Wait, so that’s it?” you may ask. Actually, we performed a much more tasks, but many of them have been omitted.

Changelog

• [Enhancement] Allow select several content types for the shown records in the filtering log #3392
• [Fixed] Filtering log shows wrong type of applied stealth-mode option #3423
• [Fixed] Slow UI performance in the main window #3322
• [Other] Do not block Exit in context menu when service is failed #3403
• [Other] Exit from "License" tab via clicking "Esc" #3385

Upgraded CoreLibs to v1.7.2

• [Fixed] Unhandled C++ Exception in finishWithResult() #939

Upgraded DnsLibs to v1.3.10

• Minor fixes

7.4.1

Disclaimer AdGuard for Windows is not an open-source project. We use Github as an open bug tracker for users to see what developers are working on.

Release rule №1 (or Murphy’s law, if you like): even when everything seems perfect, one or two hotfixes follow the new version.

This is a minor post-release fix. We’ve slightly tweaked UI trial windows, so now ‘I have a license’ option is not hidden anymore in some cases. Also, fixed the issue when message can't be sent to support. And we also took our chance to polish a few other important things under the hood.

• [Fixed] The trial window localization issue #3333
• [Fixed] Unable to send a message to support #3337

7.4

Disclaimer AdGuard for Windows is not an open-source project. We use Github as an open bug tracker for users to see what developers are working on.

There's a clear headliner for the new AdGuard for Windows update: AdGuard Browser Assistant. It's a browser extension to help manage filtering right from the web page that replaces the old Assistant. We also fixed a bunch of bugs and overall enhanced the app to work faster and better.

Browser Assistant

By developing this new product, we've resolved a couple of pretty important issues that the old Assistant had, without losing in functionality.

[Enhancement] Browser Assistant #2985

Meet our new AdGuard Browser Assistant! From a mere dependant userscript in AdGuard desktop apps it has evolved to become a full-fledged browser extension.

Obviously, new Assistant has the functions of the old one included but it’s far more cool and user-friendly. And it came in extremely handy, helping us solve three major problems at once:

• Former AdGuard Assistant was a dependent userscript able to communicate with the app only using a certain protocol. On the contrary, new Assistant is independent: it’s installed in a browser, and you don’t need to wait while the script would be injected into the filtered web page. Putting it simply, it is more autonomous. Technically the new Assistant can be used without the app, although the app is required for the full capacity.

• When AdGuard desktop app and our browser extension were used in so-called integration mode, the extension icon took over Assistant's functions. However, they could hamper each other’s work. Some websites would stop being protected by the desktop program and be backed up only by the extension which has less possibilities. With new Assistant being extension itself, there is no need to install our regular browser extension anymore, which means there is no risk of an incompatibility.

• Some people didn't like seeing the old Assistant’s presence at webpages, plain an simple. New Assistant's icon resides safely next to the browser's address bar – zero chance to stand in the way of website's content.

[Enhancement] Own settings tab #3118

From now on, you can open this tab and get the Assistant for your default browser in one click. And in case your browser is a rare one, you can always lay on the legacy non-extension version – it works everywhere.

[Enhancement] Onboarding process #3119

During the installation, AdGuard determines your default browser and prompts you with a download link for Assistant. If your browser is not compatible with AdGuard, the legacy version is automatically enabled.

Changelog

• [Fixed] Cannot report a website from Assistant when UI is not running #2138
• [Fixed] Advanced Editor clears user rules #2142
• [Fixed] AdGuard not responding after resuming from sleep mode on laptop #2861
• [Fixed] Wrong date on statistics #3015
• [Fixed] Crash on viewing request details in filtering log #3074
• [Fixed] Wrong highlight for Stealth Mode exclusions in filtering log #3123
• [Fixed] Some processes are active after AdGuard update bug installer #3126
• [Fixed] Some windows are not centered #3127
• [Fixed] Scroll issue with touchpad in language combobox #3129
• [Fixed] Can't add apps from Blitz's subdirectory #3141
• [Fixed] License activation dialog design issues #3145
• [Fixed] Support button returns 400 Bad Request #3155
• [Fixed] No longer able to add filters that do not have a .txt extension #3165
• [Fixed] Unnecessary colon is displayed for Yandex-Turbo redirect userscript #3176
• [Fixed] Individual userscript incompatibility #3201
• [Fixed] Browsing security notifications don’t work #3203
• [Fixed] Using extension w/app allows user to bypass Parental Control #3219
• [Fixed] Screen is twitching after disabling the extension #3229
• [Fixed] Pale buttons' text while starting the AdGuard #3236
• [Fixed] Connection errors #3237
• [Fixed] After reinstalling the application does not work #3238
• [Fixed] "AdGuard Browser Assistant is not installed or configured incorrectly" error #3241
• [Fixed] Some requests’ names are cut and not displayed in the filtering log #3249
• [Fixed] Browser restart is required after AdGuard update #3250
• [Fixed] Disabled userscripts reenable automatically after an update #3258
• [Fixed] AdGuard starts in a windows instead of being minimized in the system tray #3276
• [Fixed] "AdGuard installed successfully" window pops up after a reboot #3278
• [Fixed] UI won't start after an update #3299
• [Fixed] Statistic isn't incremented #3311
• [Fixed] Native extension api GetOriginalCert returns wildcard cert if it is in cache #3315
• [Enhancement] Filtering log is on pause while import #1997
• [Enhancement] Update Advanced Uninstall Utility #2940
• [Enhancement] Using the current browser for the webpage opening #2099
• [Enhancement] AdGuard GUI unnecessarily raising Windows platform timer resolution #2734
• [Enhancement] Enabling HTTPS filtering for a portable FF is now easier #2735
• [Enhancement] An option to hide blocked QIUC records in the filtering log #2912
• [Enhancement] Description about opening AG main window at system start-up has been reformulated #3016
• [Enhancement] Description for the "Launch AdGuard at system start-up" option #3082
• [Enhancement] Some items have been renamed or added in the tray menu #3103
• [Enhancement] Get rid of double negative in "filter EV" section #3133
• [Enhancement] Wizard's provided filters to the pre-downloaded defaults #3162
• [Enhancement] Handling the well-known errors during installation is made more user-friendly #3163
• [Enhancement] "What's new" screen after the major app update #3169
• [Enhancement] Send Console and Host logs to the Sentry among with the Service logs #3172
• [Enhancement] Add new Edge browser support #3217
• [Enhancement] HTTP proxy mode's description is disabled #3227
• [Enhancement] Update CoreLibs to 1.5.238 #3246
• [Enhancement] Browser Assistant now supports Waterfox and Cliqz browsers #3264

Corelibs updated to v1.5.269

• [Fixed] Rules with :style() are converted incorrectly #1149
• [Fixed] Cosmetic rules can be used as CSS rules #1293
• [Fixed] Basic rules with a wildcard in top-level domains aren't working #1298

7.3 Release

Disclaimer AdGuard for Windows is not an open-source project. We use Github as an open bug tracker for users to see what developers are working on.

One of the best things about Christmas is that everyone gives each other presents! So here’s our humble gift to you: AdGuard v7.3 for Windows. We hope you’ll like it, because we put a lot of effort into its development.

This version features improved ad blocking (thanks to added support for scriptlets and new modifiers), some major networking improvements and a new option to activate AdGuard via your adguard.com personal account.

[Added] Scriptlets support

Scriptlets is a powerful ad blocking instrument. You can say that scriptlet is an internal script (a mini-program) that we install with the app, and then execute that script with the help of filtering rules. Putting it simply, scriptlets allow us to modify how the code of the web page behaves. As for the practical use, this helps to fight adblock circumvention, for example, and is also useful in some other cases.

[Added] $redirect and $rewrite modifiers support

They are practically the same modifiers, and they allow to substitute resources. If you are not a custom filtering rules aficionado, don't bother with it. Just know that it is yet another instrument in the hands of filter developers that helps to block ads more efficiently.
We should mention that both $redirect and $rewrite modifiers are still kind of working in test mode, but they are fully operational and you should feel free to use them.

[Improved] Proxy mode can now be used alongside automatic traffic filtering #2696, #3055

Previously, you had to choose between using AdGuard to filter all traffic on the current system, or setting it up as an HTTP proxy to funnel traffic of particular apps or devices through AdGuard (but without filtering it).
Now you can have the best of both worlds, and even more: filter application and browser traffic on the current PC and at the same time use AdGuard as a filtering proxy for other devices (yes, now their traffic will be filtered too). To select the configuration you want go to Network settings.

[Added] Activating AdGuard by linking personal Account #2931

Something we’ve tested in other AdGuard products and found positive feedback is an option to activate AdGuard by linking the app with your adguard.com account. In this case, instead of entering the license key, you put in your Account credentials (login/password). The app automatically looks for a valid license key in your Account and uses it to activate AdGuard.

Ad Blocking

• [Added] Enable the HARs writing as an advanced option #2402
• [Fixed] False link interception #3117
• [Fixed] Disabling HTTPS filtering for an app works incorrectly #3111
• [Fixed] Cookies time-to-live resets to zero #3115
• [Fixed] Automatic apps filtering gets disabled after an app update #3076
• [Fixed] Userscript working in pre version 7 releases not working in post version 7 releases. #2937
• [Fixed]Error occurred while reloading protection, doesn't change the filtering status #2965
• [Fixed] Cannot find the file specified #2969
• [Fixed] Incompatibility between AdGuard and HTTP Debugger #2979
• [Fixed] Cannot add executable from %Appdata% to the filtering #3023
• [Fixed] Some problems with user filter #3044
• [Fixed] Cannot add $network rules to the user filter #3058
• [Fixed] Atom package installer doesn't work when protection enabled #2988
• [Fixed] Firefox Private Network issue #2981
• [Improved] Change the approach to the way how we start cert installer #2973

UI

• [Added] Add HTTPS filtering step to the initial wizard #3125
• [Added] Import-export advanced settings #2964
• [Added] Trial period should be started explicitly #2980
• [Changed] Checkbox for new rule is now shown as disabled in Filter editor #2893
• [Fixed] Diagonal resizing by dragging the bottom corners is flawed #2943
• [Fixed] Extra error entries in the log file #2875
• [Fixed] Filter descriptions in Filter editor lack spaces in Traditional Chinese localization #2853
• [Fixed] Main window now correctly reflects the time of the last filters update check and not the time of the last actual filters update #2982
• [Fixed] Incorrect placement of proxy configuration warning #3065
• [Fixed] UI performance drops when you use search on the “Add filter” screen #3090
• [Fixed] Main window is shown next to the settings wizard #3100
• [Fixed] Poor line break on Browsing Security screen #3101
• [Fixed] Repeated clicks on “Debug mode” in tray menu bring up the slow filtering warning #2996
• [Fixed]Buttons Collapse, Expand, Close look bad #2722
• [Fixed] Userscript is reported as updated if version contains a letter #2819
• [Fixed] Drag&Drop issue #2961
• [Fixed]Filtering log doesn't show applied rules #2998
• [Fixed] Dark theme inner window issue #3033
• [Fixed] Wrong request type in the filtering log #3059
• [Improved] Microsoft Edge Beta cannot be added to filtered app in AFW #3060
• [Improved] Remove old strings from translations #2926
• [Improved] Improve the license check window #2939
• [Improved] AdGuard Personal CA keeps coming back #1306
• [Improved] Re-design About" screen" #2675
• [Improved] There is no link to the list of changes in the latest versions #2715
• [Improved] The text is not centered on the main screen #2716
• [Improved] Use custom adguard: scheme for adding userscripts #2838
• [Improved] Hover on maximize button looks bad #2840
• [Improved] Strip identifying information from the logs when doing export #3022
• [Improved] Centering of icons in Settings #2727

Networking

• [Changed] Legacy and regular Microsoft Edge executables separated in “Filtered Apps” #3061
• [Improved] We should check the internet availability before sending a support request #2925

Other

• [Added] New versioning system #2896
• [Changed] Flag icons removed from the languages selector #2905
• [Changed] “Too many filters” warning now requires more enabled filters to trigger #3056
• [Fixed] Reset statistics feature works incorrectly #2923
• [Fixed] Settings reset doesn’t set window mode to its default state #2924
• [Fixed] Unable to remove Spotify from the list of filtered apps #3091
• [Fixed] Several apps with the same name can’t be added to the list of filtered apps #3092
• [Fixed] Crash after language change #3108
• [Fixed] Filters metadata is not updated for some filters #3036
• [Fixed] AdGuard occasionally doesn’t delete old log files #2874
• [Fixed] Adguard.Core.Tools crashes on the app uninstall #3097
• [Fixed] File or folder is corrupted #2984
• [Improved] Adguard GUI unnecessarily raising Windows platform timer resolution #2734
• [Improved] Transfer GM property when the user changes the userscript's name #2739
• [Improved] Improve the Advanced Settings logic #2915
• [Improved] Filter installer's crash report names #2971
• [Improved] Pass the empty parameter's value in the query string #3038
• [Improved] AdGuard now adapts its time&date format according to system settings #2945

7.2 Hotfix

Disclaimer AdGuard for Windows is not an open-source project. We use Github as an open bug tracker for users to see what developers are working on.

Rarely there's a critical level bug that shows itself over 2 months since the last release, but here we are. We can't really call this update a hotfix, but it's certainly urgent. This patch fixes a bug that in some circumstances could break cosmetic filtering on all webpages.

7.4 RC 2

Disclaimer AdGuard for Windows is not an open-source project. We use Github as an open bug tracker for users to see what developers are working on.

Another release candidate. It's smaller than the previous one, which is a good sign! Only a few bug fixes. The release is coming!

Changelog

• [Bug] Installation window shows up after PC reboot #3278
• [Bug] UI won't start after an update #3299
• [Bug] Statistic isn't incremented #3311
• [Bug] Native extension api GetOriginalCert returns wildcard cert if it is in cache #3315

Corelibs updated to v1.5.267

• [Bug] Rules with :style() are converted incorrectly #1149
• [Bug] Cosmetic rules can be used as CSS rules #1293
• [Bug] Basic rules with a wildcard in top-level domains aren't working #1298

7.4 RC 1

Disclaimer AdGuard for Windows is not an open-source project. We use Github as an open bug tracker for users to see what developers are working on.

Meet the first (and hopefully the last) release candidate of AdGuard v7.4 for Windows!
In this update, we've made focus on fixing UI-related and other minor issues.

• [Bug] Some installation-related processes are still active after an update #3126
• [Bug] Connection errors #3237
• [Bug] "AdGuard Browser Assistant is not installed or configured incorrectly" error #3241
• [Bug] Disabled userscripts reenable automatically after an update #3258
• [Bug] AdGuard starts in a windows instead of being minimized in the system tray #3276
• [Bug] "AdGuard installed successfully" window pops up after a reboot #3278
• [Enhancement] Browser Assistant now supports Waterfox and Cliqz browsers #3264
• [Enhancement] CoreLibs has been updated to v1.5.249 #3277

7.4 beta 2

Disclaimer AdGuard for Windows is not an open-source project. We use Github as an open bug tracker for users to see what developers are working on.

The second beta for AdGuard for Windows is released! There are not so many changes as in the first beta but the second one is just as important. This update features changes to the user interface – hopefully, you’ll like them! A bunch of fixes, mainly concerning technical issues, is also included in the list.

• [Added] Add new Edge browser support #3217
• [Fixed] Using extension w/app allows user to bypass Parental Control #3219
• [Fixed] Screen is twitching after disabling the extension #3229
• [Fixed] Pale buttons' text while starting the AdGuard #3236
• [Fixed] Some requests’ names are cut and not displayed in the filtering log #3249
• [Fixed] Browser restart is required after AdGuard update #3250
• [Fixed] After reinstalling the application does not work #3238
• [Improved] HTTP proxy mode's description is disabled #3227
• [Improved] Update CoreLibs to 1.5.238 #3246

7.4 beta 1

Disclaimer AdGuard for Windows is not an open-source project. We use Github as an open bug tracker for users to see what developers are working on.

Here comes the first beta for AdGuard for Windows v.7.4! The bottom line is we’re replacing our current Assistant with a separate browser extension called AdGuard Browser Assistant. The new Assistant has easy-to-use functionality, plus, we’ve added new UI features that make it more pleasant in use. Spoiler: you no longer need the previous browser extension. Download this new one and, paired with the main app, it will turn into a magic Assistant.

Browser Assistant

By developing this new product, we've resolved a couple of pretty important issues:

1. Ensured that the bundle of the main AdGuard app and this new browser extension is fully functional
2. Added settings in the main AdGuard app making it super easy to download or check if the extension is enabled right from it.
3. The improved onboarding process for those who downloads AdGuard for the first time.

[Added] Browser Assistant #2985

Meet our new AdGuard Browser Assistant! From a mere user script in AdGuard desktop programs it has evolved to become a full-fledged browser extension!

Obviously, new Assistant has the functions of the old one included but it’s far more cool and user-friendly. And it came in extremely handy, helping us solve three major problems at once:

• Former AdGuard Assistant was a dependent user script able to communicate with the program using a certain protocol. On the contrary, the new BA is independent: it’s installed in a browser, and you don’t need to wait while user script would be injected into the filtered web page. Putting it simply, it is more autonomous and it doesn’t depend on the main AdGuard app. The app is required for the full capacity but technically the new BA can be used without the app.
• When desktop AdGuard program and browser extension were used in integration mode, they could hamper each other’s work. Some websites would stop being protected by the desktop program and be backed up only by the extension which has less possibilities. With the new Assistant, there is no more need to install our regular browser extension, which means there is no risk of an incompatibility.
• Some people said older Assistant’s presence at any webpage disturbed them – now the green shield icon won’t be there.

[Added] Browsers tab #3118

From now on, you can open this tab and get the Assistant for a browser you use in one click. We support all popular browsers, but in case you didn’t find your one, you can use the legacy non-extension version – it works everywhere.

[Improved] Onboarding process #3119

AdGuard determines your default browser and prompts you with a download link for the new Assistant. If your browser is not compatible with AdGuard, the legacy Assistant is automatically enabled.

Ad Blocking

[Added] Experimental filter is enabled for beta and nightly testers #3027

Network

• [Fixed] Compatibility issues
• [Fixed] AdGuard not responding after resuming from sleep mode on laptop #2861
• [Fixed] Support button returns 400 Bad Request #3155
• [Improved] Enabling HTTPS filtering for a portable FF is now easier #2735

UI

• [Added] Filtering log is on pause while import #1997
• [Added] Description for the "Launch AdGuard at system start-up" option #3082
• [Changed] Description about opening AG main window at system start-up has been reformulated #3016
• [Fixed] Advanced Editor clears user rules #2142
• [Fixed] Crash on viewing request details in filtering log #3074
• [Fixed] Wrong highlight for Stealth Mode exclusions in filtering log #3123
• [Fixed] Some windows are not centered #3127
• [Fixed] Scroll issue with touchpad in language combobox #3129
• [Fixed] Can't add apps from Blitz's subdirectory #3141
• [Fixed] License activation dialog design issues #3145
• [Fixed] No longer able to add filters that do not have a .txt extension #3165
• [Fixed] Unnecessary colon is displayed for Yandex-Turbo redirect userscript #3176
• [Improved] AdGuard GUI unnecessarily raising Windows platform timer resolution #2734

Other

• [Added] An option to hide blocked QIUC records in the filtering log #2912
• [Added] Wizard's provided filters to the pre-downloaded defaults #3162
• [Added] "What's new" screen after the major app update #3169
• [Changed] Some items have been renamed or added in the tray menu #3103
• [Fixed] Cannot report a website from Assistant when UI is not running #2138
• [Fixed] Wrong date on statistics #3015
• [Fixed] Some processes are active after AdGuard update bug installer #3126
• [Fixed] Individual userscript incompatibility #3201
• [Fixed] Browsing security notifications don’t work #3203
• [Improved] Using the current browser for the webpage opening #2099
• [Improved] Update Advanced Uninstall Utility #2940
• [Improved] Get rid of double negative in "filter EV" section #3133
• [Improved] Handling the well-known errors during installation is made more user-friendly #3163
• [Improved] Send Console and Host logs to the Sentry among with the Service logs #3172