BrentNET

Downloads:

  • BrentNET Client

    BrentNET Client v 0.2.11: EXE

    BrentNET Client v0.2.11 Changelog

    BrentNET Client v0.2.11

    Released: July 29, 2026

    Changes since v0.2.10

    • Renamed BrentNET Helper to BrentNET Client throughout the user interface.
    • Updated the application title, product name, installer name, Start Menu shortcut, desktop shortcut, and scheduled task branding.
    • Updated the installer to automatically detect and close a running BrentNET Client instance before replacing application files.
    • Added forced process termination as a fallback when the application cannot be closed normally during an upgrade.
    • Added installer cleanup for legacy BrentNET Helper shortcuts and scheduled tasks.
    • Improved Windows hosts file management and cleanup.
    • Added protection against malformed or incomplete BrentNET-managed hosts file sections.
    • Prevented extra blank lines from accumulating in the Windows hosts file.
    • Updated hosts file writes to use UTF-8 without a byte-order mark.
    • Improved route filtering, sorting, and duplicate removal.
    • Updated the updater download folder and default installer filename for the new BrentNET Client branding.
    • Updated installer version to 0.2.11.
    • Updated application version to 0.2.11.
    • Updated installer output filename to BrentNETClientSetup-v0.2.11.exe.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Client still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file and listens for local HTTP requests.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.
    • The updater currently expects a direct installer .exe download, not a zipped installer.
    • Manual upgrades no longer require users to exit BrentNET Client first because the installer now closes the running application automatically.
    • Bug reports currently generate a report bundle folder and email draft, but screenshots and report files may still need to be attached manually depending on the user’s email client.
    • Windows may still show Publisher: Unknown until BrentNET Client is code-signed.
    • The existing %AppData%\BrentNET Helper data folder is temporarily retained for compatibility and may be migrated in a future release.
    • The Status and Bug Report windows are becoming the foundation for future BrentNET diagnostics, settings, telemetry, support, and network health reporting.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.2.10: EXE

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.10 Changelog

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.10

    Released: June 24, 2026

    Changes since v0.2.9

    • Added a new Report Bug… option to the system tray menu.
    • Added a Report Bug button to the Status window.
    • Added a dedicated Bug Report window.
    • Added a comments field so testers can describe what happened.
    • Added screenshot selection support for bug reports.
    • Added automatic diagnostics collection.
    • Added bug report bundle generation.
    • Added app logging and crash logging.
    • Added automatic handling for unhandled application exceptions.
    • Added an Open Logs Folder option for quick diagnostic access.
    • Fixed the screenshot picker freezing issue in the Bug Report window.
    • Updated installer version to 0.2.10.
    • Updated application version to 0.2.10.
    • Updated installer output filename to BrentNETHelperSetup-v0.2.10.exe.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Helper still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.
    • The updater currently expects a direct installer .exe download, not a zipped installer.
    • If installing manually from the downloaded installer, exit BrentNET Helper from the system tray first.
    • Bug reports currently generate a report bundle and email draft, but screenshots/report files may still need to be attached manually depending on the user’s email client.
    • Windows may still show Publisher: Unknown until BrentNET Helper is code-signed.
    • The Status and Bug Report windows are becoming the foundation for future BrentNET client diagnostics, settings, telemetry, support, and network health reporting.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.2.9: EXE

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.9 Changelog

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.9

    Released: June 24, 2026

    Changes since v0.2.8

    • Made the Status window resizable.
    • Increased the default Status window size.
    • Added minimum size protection so controls cannot be clipped too aggressively.
    • Improved DPI-aware scaling support for high-scaling Windows displays.
    • Centered the Check Updates and Sync Routes buttons.
    • Centered the Apply and Close buttons.
    • Improved Status window spacing and layout consistency.
    • Fixed Status window controls being partially hidden on some systems.
    • Fixed Apply and Close buttons being clipped off-screen on certain display configurations.
    • Updated installer version to 0.2.9.
    • Updated application version to 0.2.9.
    • Updated installer output filename to BrentNETHelperSetup-v0.2.9.exe.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Helper still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.
    • The updater currently expects a direct installer .exe download, not a zipped installer.
    • If installing manually from the downloaded installer, exit BrentNET Helper from the system tray first.
    • Windows may still show Publisher: Unknown until BrentNET Helper is code-signed.
    • The Status window is becoming the foundation for future BrentNET client diagnostics, settings, telemetry, and network health reporting.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.2.8: EXE

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.8 Changelog

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.8

    Released: June 23, 2026

    Changes since v0.2.7

    • Added persistent settings stored in %AppData%\BrentNET Helper\settings.json.
    • Added toggleable update alerts.
    • Added toggleable route change alerts.
    • Added toggleable maintenance alerts.
    • All notification/reminder style alerts now default to off.
    • Added LastNotifiedVersion tracking so update alerts only notify once per available version.
    • Added notification settings checkboxes to the Status window.
    • Added an Apply button in the Status window to save notification preferences.
    • Status window now displays notification settings, settings file path, and last notified update version.
    • Added a new default route: net.brent → https://brentnet.net.
    • Added Open net.brent to the tray menu above Open corp.brent and Open home.brent.
    • Updated installer version to 0.2.8.
    • Updated application version to 0.2.8.
    • Updated installer output filename to BrentNETHelperSetup-v0.2.8.exe.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Helper still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.
    • The updater currently expects a direct installer .exe download, not a zipped installer.
    • Windows may still show Publisher: Unknown until BrentNET Helper is code-signed.
    • Notification preferences are intentionally off by default and must be enabled from the Status window.
    • The Status window is becoming the foundation for future BrentNET client diagnostics, settings, telemetry, and network health reporting.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.2.7: EXE

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.7 Changelog

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.7

    Released: June 23, 2026

    Changes since v0.2.6

    • The Status window now stays open after clicking Check Updates.
    • The Status window now stays open after clicking Sync Routes.
    • The Status window now refreshes live after update checks.
    • The Status window now refreshes live after route syncs.
    • Removed the highlighted/selected diagnostic text behavior when opening the Status window.
    • The installer now defaults Start BrentNET Helper when Windows starts to enabled.
    • Updated installer version to 0.2.7.
    • Updated application version to 0.2.7.
    • Updated installer output filename to BrentNETHelperSetup-v0.2.7.exe.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Helper still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.
    • The updater currently expects a direct installer .exe download, not a zipped installer.
    • Windows may still show Publisher: Unknown until BrentNET Helper is code-signed.
    • The Status window is an early foundation for future BrentNET client diagnostics, telemetry, and network health reporting.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.2.6: EXE

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.6 Changelog

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.6

    Released: June 23, 2026

    Changes since v0.2.5

    • Added a new Status… option to the system tray menu.
    • Added a dedicated diagnostics/status window.
    • Status window now displays the installed version, running/paused state, current route count, route source, last route sync time, last update check time, hosts file location, update manifest URL, and route manifest URL.
    • Added Check Updates and Sync Routes buttons inside the Status window.
    • Added tracking for the most recent update check time.
    • Added tracking for the most recent route sync time.
    • Added route source tracking for local routes versus remote BrentNET routes.
    • Updated installer version to 0.2.6.
    • Updated application version to 0.2.6.
    • Updated installer output filename to BrentNETHelperSetup-v0.2.6.exe.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Helper still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.
    • The updater currently expects a direct installer .exe download, not a zipped installer.
    • Windows may still show Publisher: Unknown until BrentNET Helper is code-signed.
    • The new Status window is an early foundation for future BrentNET client diagnostics and network telemetry.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.2.5: EXE

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.5 Changelog

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.5

    Released: June 22, 2026

    Changes since v0.2.4

    • Added remote route synchronization from https://brentnet.net/routes.json.
    • Added support for versioned BrentNET route manifests.
    • Added automatic route sync on startup.
    • Added periodic background update checks every 6 hours.
    • Added periodic background route sync every 6 hours.
    • Added a manual Sync Routes Now option to the system tray menu.
    • Updated installer version to 0.2.5.
    • Updated application version to 0.2.5.
    • Updated installer output filename to BrentNETHelperSetup-v0.2.5.exe.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Helper still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.
    • The updater currently expects a direct installer .exe download, not a zipped installer.
    • Windows may still show Publisher: Unknown until BrentNET Helper is code-signed.
    • Remote route sync currently supports redirect routes. Hosted BrentNET sites are planned for a future v0.3.0 release.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.2.4: EXE

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.4 Changelog

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.4

    Released: June 21, 2026

    Changes since v0.2.3

    • Removed the accidental study.brent route.
    • Added a native Uninstall BrentNET Helper option to the system tray menu.
    • Uninstall option now removes BrentNET routes before launching the uninstaller.
    • Improved user experience by allowing BrentNET Helper to be removed directly from the tray menu.
    • Updated installer version to 0.2.4.
    • Updated application version to 0.2.4.
    • Updated installer output filename to BrentNETHelperSetup-v0.2.4.exe.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Helper still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.
    • The updater currently expects a direct installer .exe download, not a zipped installer.
    • Windows may still show Publisher: Unknown until BrentNET Helper is code-signed.
    • This release is intended to test the automatic update path from v0.2.3 to v0.2.4.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.2.3: EXE

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.3 Changelog

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.3

    Released: June 21, 2026

    Changes since v0.2.2

    • Improved the automatic update workflow.
    • Updater now uses the live manifest at https://brentnet.net/update.json.
    • Updater downloads the latest installer from GitHub Releases.
    • Updater verifies downloaded installers using SHA-256 before launch.
    • Improved installer handling when BrentNET Helper is already running.
    • Updater launches the new installer and exits BrentNET Helper so the installer can replace it cleanly.
    • Fixed installer uninstall warning by adding a RunOnceId to the uninstall cleanup command.
    • Installer publisher/support/update URLs now point to https://brentnet.net.
    • Installer version updated to 0.2.3.
    • Application version updated to 0.2.3.
    • Installer output filename updated to BrentNETHelperSetup-v0.2.3.exe.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Helper still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.
    • The updater currently expects a direct installer .exe download, not a zipped installer.
    • Full uninstall-before-install automation is planned for a future updater revision.
    • Windows may still show Publisher: Unknown until BrentNET Helper is code-signed.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.2.2: EXE

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.2 Changelog

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.2

    Released: June 20, 2026

    Changes since v0.2.1

    • Added automatic update checking on startup.
    • Added a manual Check for Updates option to the system tray menu.
    • Added support for update manifests served from https://brentnet.net/update.json.
    • Added GitHub Releases support for installer downloads.
    • Added SHA-256 verification for downloaded installers before launch.
    • Updater now compares the installed app version against the latest manifest version.
    • Updater now displays release notes before installing an available update.
    • Installer version updated to 0.2.2.
    • Application version updated to 0.2.2.
    • Installer output filename updated to BrentNETHelperSetup-v0.2.2.exe.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Helper still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.
    • The updater currently expects a direct installer .exe download, not a zipped installer.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.2.1: ZIP

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.1 Changelog

    BrentNET Helper v0.2.1

    Released: June 18, 2026

    Changes since v0.1.2

    • Added a right-click tray menu toggle to pause and resume BrentNET routing.
    • Pausing BrentNET now removes the managed .brent entries from the Windows hosts file.
    • Resuming BrentNET restores the configured routes from routes.json.
    • Tray tooltip now indicates when BrentNET Helper is paused.
    • Installer version updated to 0.2.1.
    • Application version updated to 0.2.1.
    • Installer now uses a versioned output filename: BrentNETHelperSetup-v0.2.1.exe.
    • Published build now includes routes.json automatically.
    • Build is self-contained again so testers do not need to install the .NET runtime separately.
    • Fixed installer launch behavior that caused an elevation-related popup after installation.

    Known Notes

    • BrentNET Helper still requires administrator permissions because it edits the Windows hosts file.
    • This is still an alpha build intended for friends, family, and early testers.

    BrentNET Helper v 0.1.2: ZIP