If you have recently downloaded a trial software and want to test it for more than the trial period which is normally 30 days, this article is exactly for you. This article describes different ways to extend the trial period of trial software. The below methods will not be able to get you complete software. If the trial version of the software runs with limitations, they will still run in limitation as the trial software will always remain in trial using these methods.
Please note that we are suggesting these ways only for people who want to evaluate the software for more than 30 days and then buy the software. It is always recommended to buy a software if you like it. This will help the developers keep the software up to date.
The best way to use the software in extended evaluation is to contact the software vendor and ask them for an extended evaluation time. They will most probably entertain your request and give you some extended evaluation time.
Reinstall the software/Reset Date and Time
The easiest way to reset a trial version of the software is that you can uninstall it and then re-install it again. This will reset the trial version. Most modern software use advanced techniques and will not allow you to reset the trial version of the software even after re-installation.
The other workaround is to play with your system date and time. You can adjust your system clock to a previous date after installing the software. The software will continue to work as it uses the system date to see if the 30 day trial period is over or not. Most modern software have protection against this method. If these two methods fail, you may see the next method.
Use a third party uninstaller
Usually trial software will save their licensing information in a registry key or a file on the hard drive. Most third party uninstaller tools will include a registry monitor and a file monitor. They will save each and every action performed by the installer of the trial software. You can then uninstall the trial software using the third party uninstaller which will delete all the registry entries and files created by the trial software.
You may try out some free apps like Revo Uninstaller, Glary Utilities and GeekUninstaller. You may also try out more powerful commercial apps like Total Uninstall or Your Uninstaller. If the trial software uses the Internet to get the licensing info, you may block Internet access for that particular program.
Backup and restore registry
If you haven’t installed the software yet and you’re sure that the software uses the Windows Registry to save its licensing information, you can backup the registry and then restore it when the software is about to expire.
Using Time Stopper software
Time Stopper is a popular software which has been created exactly for the task of freezing the time of trial software. Time Stopper will stop the trial time when it is used. If the trial period has already ended, it is of no use to use Time Stopper as it will not be able to reverse the time.
Using Time Stopper is quite easy. Just browse the executable of the trial software, choose the date that you want to freeze. This date should be within the trial period of the software otherwise it will not work. Then you can open the software on the specified date and time.
Please note that after patching the trial software with Time Stopper, you must always use the Time Stopper utility to open that software otherwise the trial will end instantly.
Please note that Time Stopper installer will try to install other addon software. You can uncheck these not to be installed.
Using RunAsDate software
RunAsDate is a portable software very similar to Time Stopper. RunAsDate allows you to run a program on the date and time you have specified. The advantage of RunAsDate is that it does not change the system date and time. It will only inject the date and time into the desired application.
Using RunAsDate is quite easy. You will need to browse the application path, specify date and time and hit the Run button to execute the app on the specified date and time. You can also create a desktop shortcut for the frozen app.
There is another software called Trial Reset. It is a special registry cleaner which can remove the licensing information registry keys of many shareware/demo software so that the software can be installed again with full trial time. I haven’t included it in this list as there are many negative review about the software.
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Install any software that does not have to contact home constantly such as an antivirus.
Next installed a free program called “Sandboxie”. Configure it to delete sandboxes with “SDelete” or use “Eraser” program. Google this. Now whenever you want to start any trial program right click and choose run sandboxed. This way you can run the program forever and each time sandbox closes it erases registry entries. Or install all your programs on a virtual machine then freeze it with a program called “Deep Freeze Standard”. Allow shared folders between virtual and main computer and you can run as many programs as you want forever. Plus you can make multiple copies of your virtual machine and give to friends for Christmas hahaha.
Very useful suggestions. I would like sandboxing the software that I want to try a little longer than the trial period. A virtual machine can be a time taking setup while sandboxie can be setup easily
I particularly like this feature: Now whenever you want to start any trial program right click and choose run sandboxed. This way you can run the program forever and each time sandbox closes it erases registry entries.
Is it really that simple? Just run the program in the sandbox, and when you exit the program it erases registry entries
HI, ITS VERY HELPFUL.
thank you make the world a better place
Do any of these programs include viruses?
I’ve tested them on my computer and it doesn’t seem like they have viruses inside them. You can always upload the file to VirusTotal and scan with multiple antivirus software to get your own satisfaction.
Awesome! Good Job Man…..
Awesome I guess….. but I am in desperate need for a MAC version! I can’t find one anywhere!! I need help.
I wanted to learn how to track each and every location where a new software install would make changes. Also, I wanted to know the registry files it would create.
For this I downloaded 2 open source software: ‘Sys Monitor’ and ‘CRegistry Comparison’.
Also, for the testing purpose only, I downloaded and installed a new copy of ‘Image Cut’(A photo splitting tool), which was a 17 days trial.
After waiting for two days when the software reported 15 out of 17 days remaining, I tracked the the activities going on in my PC (running Windows 7 ultimate – 32Bit) on the new install and uninstall of Image Cut for the registry files and files copied to disk.
Then, I deleted all the files and registry keys where ‘Image Cut’ had made changes. Also, I cleared all unnecessary files and registry keys with ‘ccleaner’.
On installing the package again (when I had already clered all those files I could track which pertained to the ‘Image Cut’ software.), Image-Cut still showed “15 out of 17 days left” which then further turned down to 14 the next day, i.e., the timer was still goin on at some place. Though I had deleted files from regedit.exe, app data, temp files and prefetch, still I couldn’t edit a few files such as “c:\windows\system32\SYSTEM” tracked by ‘Sys Monitor’. (I tried to open this by running notepad in adimnistrator mode and browsing for ‘SYSTEM’ file with no extension. It delivered an error message saying file was already running. Obviously it would run as it is a system file). So I have a doubt on this file too as all others could be erased but not this one: neither edited nor deleted (though I wouldn’t delete a system file under normal conditions). I had restarted my computer whenever I felt suitable to do so between the steps I followed.
I have no use of ‘Image Cut’ for myself and I have set it as target for informational purpose only because I want to know how the things work out in my own Computer.
Please can any technology expert help me in erasing all the traces of the software so that on a new installation, the timer is reset. If further information is required, you can ask me for logs at “akuthexsky@gmail.com”. If you get a clue kindly elaborate all the steps involved. Thanks in advance.
Since I want to learn the true mechanism, plaese avoid guiding me to use: “Total Uninstaller”, Run-as-date, Sandboxie, Virtual Machine etc.
There are two things you’re talking about. One, you can use the monitoring tools while installing a software which you have already done. Two, using an software manager to install and uninstall the software.
For monitoring purposes, you can use Microsoft’s own “Process Monitor” which gives every detail you are looking for. Other alternatives include SpyMe Tools which is also a great software for monitoring changed registry entries and files. Comodo Programs Manager is another great alternative. All the utilities mentioned above are free.
If you are looking for an uninstaller, the best uninstaller is Revo Uninstaller. The paid version will be the perfect choice. Other alternatives include:
ZSoft Uninstaller
Total Uninstall
MyUninstaller
Safarp
IOBit Uninstaller
GeekUninstaller
Your Uninstaller
Advanced Uninstaller
Some of the above mentioned tools are paid while others are free. You can search Google for their proper links.
If you are talking about something else other than these, kindly let me know and we can work our way through the problem.
Thanks for the reply sir and suggestion for using these pro. uninstallers.
BUT can you please tell me how to completely remove soft like ‘image-cut’ MANUALLY without any software as only viewing the registry changes through any means or ‘Process Monitor’ and manually remove/edit ALL the changes made by the soft. installation on my PC?
Image Cut is a light utility available as a 17 day free trial. I just want that on a complete uninstall and reinstall, after using it for a few days, its timer gets reset.
Thanks in advance!
Try Trial Reset…
Man I love you…Any where I can donate some money to you?
The only donation we want is that you be our regular reader. You can keep visiting us and commenting regularly and share the articles with your friends and we’ll be happy with this