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