Software Update: KeePass Password Safe 2.01 alpha

Dominik Reichl has begun development of the next generation of its open source password manager KeePass Password Safe and released version 2.01 alpha yesterday. This program can store accounts with associated data such as username, password and URL. All data is securely stored in a database encrypted with the Rijndael algorithm. In addition, the program can also automatically generate passwords, import and export lists, there is an advanced search function. Version 2 has been completely overhauled and now uses XML internally. Less good news is that it only works under Windows XP and Vista, where version 1.06 could still be used under all versions of Windows plus Wine. One of the reasons for this is probably that it needs at least version 2.0 of the .NET Framework. A complete overview between the differences of version 1 and 2 is available this page to find. Below are all the changes that have been made since 2.00 alpha:

New Features:

• Improved auto-type engine (releases and restores modifier keys, improved focusing, etc.).
• Implemented update checking functionality.
• Added KPScript plugin (see source code package) for scripting (details about it can be found in the online help center).
• Added Whisper 32 1.16 import support.
• Added Steganos Password Manager 2007 import support.
• Search results now show the full path of the container group.
• Entry windows (main password list, auto-type entry selection dialog, etc.) now show item tooltips when hovering over them.
• Added window box drop-down hint in the auto-type item dialog.
• Database maintenance history days setting is now remembered.
• Improved main window update after importing a file.
• Improved command line handling.
• If opening/starting external files fails, helpful messages are displayed now.
• Completely new exception handling mechanism in the Kdb4File class (allows to show more detailed messages).
• New message service class (KeePassLib.Utility.MessageService).
• Added option to disable remembering the password hiding setting in the ‘Edit Entry’ window.
• Added menu shortcuts for opening the current entry URL (Ctrl+U) and performing current entry auto-type (Ctrl+V).

Improvements / Changes:

• Changed file extension to KDBX.
• Password generation profiles are now saved when the dialog is closed with ‘Close’/’Cancel’.
• Entry URL overrides now precede the global URL override.
• Standard password generation profiles are now included in the executable file.
• Restructured plugin architecture, it’s much clearer now (abstract base class, assembly-internal manager class, …).
• Only non-empty strings are now displayed in the entry view.
• Current working directory is set to the KeePass application directory before executing external files/URLs.
• Changed fields shown in the auto-type entry selection dialog: title, user name and URL are displayed instead of title, user name and password.
• Cleared clipboard commands in context menus.

Bug fixes:

• Help buttons now open the correct topics in the CHM.
• Fixed name in the installer script.
• Workspace is not locked any more if a window is open (this prevents data loss).
• The ‘Find’ toolbar button works now.
• The OK button in the Import dialog is now enabled when you manually enter a path into the file text box.
• Fixed entry list focus bug.
• Fixed menu focus bug.
• The ‘Copy Custom String’ menu item doesn’t disappear any more.
• Fixed enabled/disabled state of auto-type menu command.

[break]The following downloads are available:
KeePass Password Safe 2.01 alpha (setup)
KeePass Password Safe 2.01 alpha (zip)
KeePass Password Safe 2.01 alpha (source code)[break]