KeePass introduces new auto-key sending engine, improves entry attachment handling

Dominik Reichl has released KeePass 2.25 for Windows. The open-source password management tool allows users to manage both offline and online passwords via a secure, encrypted container, and is also available in portable form.

Version 2.25 is a minor update, but introduces a new auto-type key sending engine that improves support for sending Unicode characters as well as sending keypresses into virtual machine and emulator windows.

The engine now promises to be "largely" compatible with the Neo keyboard layout, offers faster sequence parsing (among other related improvements) and enhances automatic canceling so it’s more precise and works on Unix-like systems.

KeePass also handles unrecognized entry attachments more securely -- when unable to open them in the viewer/editor, it now extracts the attachment to an EFS-encrypted temporary file before opening it with the filetype’s default application, which then allows the user to import or discard changes before deleting the file securely.

Version 2.25 also changes the open attachment button on the entry editing dialog to a split button in Windows Vista or later -- this allows the user to choose between opening the attachment using the built-in viewer or editor, or picking an external application.

Rounding off the improved attachment handling features are the ability to now open or save attachments when viewing them in the history entry viewing dialog.

Also added are XML Replace functionality, an option for merging imported groups with existing groups when using the Generic CSV Importer and support for importing Dashlane 2.3.2 CSV files.

Windows 8 users should now find some running Modern UI apps are now listed in the Edit Auto-Type Item dialog. The update is rounded off by a number of minor tweaks, enhancements and bug fixes.

KeePass 2.25 and KeePass Portable 2.25 are both available as a free, open-source downloads for PCs running Windows 98 or later. It can also be run on Linux and Macs with Mono 2.6 or later installed.