OldTimer's List-It (OTL)

Overview

OldTimer's List-It (OTL) was a free system diagnostic and malware analysis tool developed by OldTimer. It was designed to generate detailed system logs, helping security experts and advanced users diagnose system issues, malware infections, and registry modifications. OTL provided a more customizable alternative to tools like HijackThis.

Features

• Generates comprehensive system logs for troubleshooting.
• Analyzes running processes, startup entries, services, and registry keys.
• Allows users to create custom scripts for malware removal.
• Portable and does not require installation.
• Frequently used by malware analysts in security forums.

Compatibility

OTL was compatible with:

• Windows XP
• Windows Vista
• Windows 7

It is not supported on modern Windows versions and has been discontinued.

Usage

1. Download OTL from a trusted security resource.
2. Run the executable as an administrator (no installation required).
3. Click "Scan" to generate a system report.
4. Review the OTL.txt and Extras.txt log files.
5. Use security forums for expert analysis or custom script execution.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• ✔ Provides highly detailed system logs.
• ✔ Custom script execution for advanced troubleshooting.
• ✔ Portable and lightweight.

Cons

• ✘ Discontinued and no longer updated.
• ✘ Requires expert knowledge to interpret logs effectively.
• ✘ Not a standalone malware removal tool.

Alternative Software

• FRST (Farbar Recovery Scan Tool) – Modern diagnostic tool for malware analysis.
• HiJackThis – Classic system scanner for detecting suspicious registry changes.
• Autoruns – Microsoft tool for managing startup programs and services.

Developer

• Author: OldTimer
• Status: Discontinued (No longer maintained)

External Links

• (No official website available)
• May be found on archived security forums (use caution when downloading).