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howto: Extend or Reset Trial Period of Trial Demo Software
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A lot of software and applications are released as a shareware, also known as demoware (demo) or trialware (trial version), where users can download the trial version shareware from the Internet or get the apps from distributed magazine cover-disks, and use it for a stipulated period of time (trial period), free or charge without any payment. The plan is sort of “try before you buy”, where if users satisfy with the software after trying it, they should buy the program by paying a license fee to the developer. After passing the trial expiry date and time (expiry of trial period), the software will either stop working, or continue working with limited or restricted features, or displays a reminder message about expired trial demo license.

So what if you want to extend the duration of the trial period of the demo apps to fully evaluate it? Or you have installed the demo software or shareware, but suddenly busy with works or something else, and when finally free, the trial valid date has passed? Or you may be decided that the shareware is not worth to pay? The solution or workaround is to extend or reset the trial apps expiry date and time, or its trial period, so that users can continue to using the trial shareware without crack or hack.

How to extend or reset the trial period of shareware, trial-ware, demo-ware or trial software?

Method 1

Reinstall the program. This is the easiest method, but highly likely that it won’t work mostly on current modern software, as the expiry check algorithm getting sophisticated by keeping the expiry information on started using date and days allowed for try use plus days left in the trial in the registry or in a randomly named file.

Method 2

Adjusting the clock (date and time) of your computer system before starting installation of trial software to future data, or adjusting the clock to past date after expired trial period. Again, this method most likely won’t work.

Method 3

Use a application installation monitoring software or uninstaller software such as Norton Cleansweep, Your Uninstaller! 2006 and Advanced Uninstaller PRO 2006 to keep track and monitor every changes to the system during installation, and then uninstall and revert the shareware completely to remove all traces of trial expiry data.

Method 4

Backup the registry before installation of software, and restore the registry after trial period passed. Only works on those shareware that store protection information in registry, and you will lose some important registry changes by Windows or other applications. Alternatively, use Regmon to monitor registry activity in real-time to identify possible candidates for trial expiry reg keys, and then delete those keys.

Method 5

Reinstall windows, and you can be sure that you can use all trial demo shareware again, as all dummy registry entries and dummy files that store trial information are wiped off.

Method 6

Find a crack, with the help of cracks search engine such as Astalavista. But this is not extending the trial period of software.

Method 7

Search with various search engines such as Google and Yahoo! for application-specific known workarounds.

Method 8

If you use any of the following software, then Trial-Reset can helps you to extend the trial period of the software. Trial-Reset is an registry cleaning tool (it claims it’s not a crack) that removes the keys generated by commercial and freeware protector of trial period, and hence makes the software as if just freshly installed. It actually automates the process of cleaning up the registry key related to trial expiry mentioned above. The software and its protected that Trial-Reset (version 3.0 RC3) supports and able to strips are as below.

ACProtect
ActiveMark
Armadillo
ASProtect
DBPE
EncryptPE
Enigma
ExeCryptor
ExeShield
ICE License
NoCopy
Obsidium
OneWay
Orien
PCGuard
ProtectionPlus
ProtectShareware
SafeSerial
SDProtector
Sheriff
SGLicense
ShareGuard
SoftLocx
SoftSentry
SoftWrap
STProtector
SVKP
Thinstall
VBOLock
VBox
VisualProtect
Xheo Licensing
XProtector
ZipWorx

To use Trial-Reset, just select which software protector that you want to scan for existance on the right hand side of the window. If the registry of the protector is found, make sure you you review the key to ensure that it’s the correct key that stores trial information. Then you can opt to backup the key, remove the key, add the key to protect list and other options.

Trial-Reset 3.0 RC3 can be downloaded here (Trial-Reset30RC2.rar | Warning: Some users reported that the file is infected with virus. Use at your own risk). It has been upgraded to new version. Future update can be found here.

Related Posts:
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Use Rearm to Reset and Extend No-Activation Grace Period on Windows 7 Build 6956
How to Rearm and Extend Free Usage (Activation Grace Period) of Windows 7 to 120 Days
TrialReset 3.0 RC9 Free Download (Hack and Crack Trial Version Software)
How to Automatically Rearm and Extend Activation Grace Period in Windows Vista and Server 2008

75 Comments

m August 15, 2012 at 2:55 pm


Re installing windows to extend trial period of a software. Good brain man. Pls rent it to nasa. They will certainly reward you for sure. Better flame your house to destroy mices.Sounds almost equal
Reply


Tomb August 14, 2012 at 9:56 pm


good job, keep it up.
Reply


K. Michalak August 3, 2012 at 3:29 pm


Solution 5 – reinstall windows, imho is the best
Reply


afrin January 13, 2012 at 7:24 am


If it’s a very nasty protection, you can always go for VM, now with hardware accelerated 3d it’s ok even for cad / video software. The thing is that most protections now do check online for time as well, you can fix that as well. The problem is unpacking the apps, not cracking them, i have problem unpacking some of the newer protections. I was working on an ntp spoofer for the online time-checks, but most soft checks on their own sites so it is not viable… any ideas about online time/date checks are welcomed, local trial stop is easy.
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Chris September 16, 2011 at 3:26 am


If the trial-protection is a use so many times and disables is it the same,

For example,Take one that will only run 5 times,then buy or get lost.

will DF handle this other scenario just the same?
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Borneo HornBill July 31, 2011 at 10:20 pm


Please download and use RegShot 1.8.2 from http://sourceforge.net/projects/regshot/files/

1. Take a "Before" snapshot before you installed the software.

2. Install and use the software for 1 or 2 minutes.

3. Uninstall the software.

4. Take a "After" snapshot after you uninstalled the software.

Use the generated report to identify the 'dirty registry key' or 'dirty files'.

Look for "date" or "value"

For example,

Power Archiver trial key is HKCUSoftwareClassesDatePA (No reinstall)

CuteFTP trial files are located at

C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataGlobalSCAPE (Reinstall required)

HD Tune Pro trial key is situated in

HKCUSoftwareEFD Software (Reinstall required)

RazorSQL trial keys are are located at

HKCUSoftwarecom

HKLMSOFTWAREcom

HKLMSOFTWAREJavaSoftPrefsrs.load.52c

HKCUSOFTWAREJavaSoftPrefsrs.load.52c

For most common applications, Trial-Reset 4.0 or NeoKwinto will accomplished the 'registry cleaning' task.
Reply


moncy June 3, 2011 at 6:11 am


if you are programmer in Visual basic, your anti virus may inform you that the program created by you is a virus.I think anti virus software will treate unknown exe files as virus even though they are not.
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daniel j May 16, 2011 at 5:32 am


dont waste your time doing all that when theres a free program called "runasdate.exe" and it allows you to select any program you want and set the trial timer back as far as you like (1 hour, 1 day, 1 month, 1 year… etc.)
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/runasdate.html

check it out! its the simplest method for what you are all trying to do. theres no computer experience needed just point and click!
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Achmed April 28, 2011 at 12:57 am


good trick! I Will try it,,,
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BOB April 18, 2011 at 7:04 pm


Ha

It seems you deleted my foolproof method for extending trial software. Just as well as it would mess up the software industry if everbody new of this simple flaw in trial software to extend it forever with out using any gimmicks cracks or illegal serial numbers. I'll just keep this to myself, cause if everbody used my trick all the software companies would either go bankrupt or have to change their trial methods.
Reply

Eileen April 21, 2011 at 4:04 pm


Hi

I found this forum; do you know of a good registry clean up program (no junk) software.

I had a trial software register key says invalid; and the company has gone out of business. We paid good money for this software – tried to uninstall but not working. Wondering if registry needs cleaning up. Thanks for any input
Reply



Bob April 14, 2011 at 9:36 pm


To Frank

Just reread your post again

You seem to have it right. You can read up on Deep Freeze or other programs like it but this seems to be the best. If you use a password don't loose it. It's possible to reinstall OS from an image back-up using Acronis or windows 7 (better). One day I got a brilliant idea of making a password from symbols taken from "character map" because password cracking software can only deal with keyboard characters. Genius me saved the password in a note pad while in frozen state which I realized as I hit the log off key. That is why I say get an image back-up program.

Trick; DF can only be uninstalled when the computer is in a thawed state. Place cursor over icon in tool bar, hold down shift key, double tap mouse pad or double left click mouse to get control screen,(safety feature). To uninstall go to the installer and run it again, this time it will uninstall itself. I don't recommend anyone break the law with this, it's just a way to get some extra time and if you like the trial you can always buy it.
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Bob April 14, 2011 at 7:28 pm


One thing though. Deep Freeze method does not work with programs that must be started to receive updates like Anti Virus. Never update trial programs and use Zone Alarm Fire wall to block all phone home. Comodo Fire wall is also good. They work differently. The New Comodo will drive you nuts Zone alarm has easy control panel.

These are must have programs for blocking trials.

If you tell too many people about this trick the manufactures will go crazy once this gets out.

Grab a brew and download like no tomorrow have fun
Reply


Bob April 14, 2011 at 7:14 pm


To Frank

Ok here goes

Deep Freeze has 2 modes frozen or thawed. Computer has to be rebooted to change from one state to next. Install any program while in thawed state but do not start it. Now freeze computer with Deep Freeze and reboot always leave computer in frozen state and each time you start a trial it will be like the first time cause it's counter never starts. You have a choice which drives to freeze. So you can freeze (c:)drive and leave another unfrozen, that way you can save your work. Only unfreeze c drive for making up dates to AV or OS but be careful to never start the trial while in unfrozen state. This DF is good for so many things. You can edit email and if you open a virus just reboot and it's gone. Also good for keeping children from making changes. Look up a program called Prey also a cool idea.

I'll check back in a day or two if you have any questions.

Any documents that you work on in any frozen drive will be gone on reboot. You can freeze whole computer for virus safety reasons and save work on Microsoft SkyDrive 25Gb free storage, you're gonna like this too.

This is better than illegal serials or cracks.
Reply


Frank April 13, 2011 at 6:43 pm


Bob,

So to clarify, basically the steps are

1) you install the trial program you're interested in, but don't run it the first time;

2) With DeepFreeze installed you "freeze" the drive (presumably C) where the trial program is located;

3) Once done playing with the program, restart/unfreeze the computer and reboot it?

And DeepFreeze will only erase anything that was done while it was in freeze, correct? I.e. if you opened a word document and typed something while in Freeze THAT would be erased, not files previous to the Freezing….

Do you need to start saving work on other drives, or if you just freeze the computer and then reboot as unfrozen when you're done working with that trial program can you continue to use the C drive?
Reply

ratzz August 25, 2011 at 7:08 am


Hey BOB!! Thanks for sharing your brilliant method!! it really helps! i tried it two days ago, and it really works!! again, thank you a dozen times!!
Reply



BOB April 7, 2011 at 6:12 pm


PERFECT METHOD NO ONE HAS EVER THOUGHT OF EXCEPT ME.

Use a program called Deep Freeze. Install any trial program but don't run it the first time. Then install Deep Freeze and freeze computer (C:) drive where trial is installed. Now you can use trial as it will never start the 1st time forever. When computer is frozen anything you do will be erased once you reboot except for sending out info. Also it's impossible to get virus when in frozen state even with no antivirus. You can delete registry and hack computer etc. but all returns to normal. If you install program only freeze (C:) drive and save all your work on another drive. This is the absolute best way to test programs cause if you don't like after installing just reboot and no traces at all are left. You can keep computer in the state it was in the day you bought it if you install when new. Only unfreeze for updating windows etc. but don't ever try updating trials. I have searched Google for this idea but so far no one knows about it. If software manufactures find out about this trick all hell will break loose. So until they do have fun. Two other programs I recommend are Acronis (try their "try & decide feature") to make a backup system image of your computer and Prey free open source program to locate stolen computer. These 3 programs have prevented my computer from any screw ups you will ever have unless you really try hard.
Reply

Tom May 22, 2012 at 10:27 am


Bob,

Is that spelled with 2 o’s?
Reply



BOB April 6, 2011 at 8:32 am


Install any program but don't start first time. install program called Deep Freeze. Freeze computer. Trial will restart new for ever.
Reply


Raj February 24, 2011 at 11:06 pm


Method No. 2 always works
Reply

Norton Internet Security 2009 OEM Setup Installer Free Download » My Digital Life January 3, 2011 at 10:31 am


[...] Security 2009. By installing OEM version of NIS 2009, users no longer requires to use crack or trial reset tool to reset the evaluation [...]
Reply


Mickie James November 27, 2010 at 6:36 am


They don't work I want to reinstall an software but nothing. Method 5 & 6 are outta the question. Method 1, 2,3 & 4 i can't. Method 8: WTF?
Reply


abajan November 26, 2010 at 5:27 am


Method 3 seems like it should work while method 4 sounds like overkill.

Here's my suggestion:

Let's say you download a free trial application that allows you to use it for only 30 days. Here's a method that, to my mind, ought to work:

1. Note the date on which you first run the program. (Hopefully, the program has a splash screen that states how many days of usage remain but this is not essential.)

2. A few days later and BEFORE you use the program again, reset the computer clock to the date noted. (Take care NOT to set the clock to an earlier date because that may prevent you from using the program again, even within the trial period).

3. Here's where the splash screen comes in handy because it let's you know if your effort was a success. In other words, if the screen initially stated that 30 days remained in the trial period and it now states the same thing, this method works for that particular program.

4. When your session of using the program is finished, reset the clock to the correct time.

That's it. Just do that each time you use the software. Hopefully, no other programs on the computer will be adversely affected by interfering with the clock. At least this method doesn't mess with the registry!
Reply


rajiv August 30, 2010 at 10:50 am


make me hacker with your help.not use against law
if you have latest news on this topic pls send me
Reply


pinoyhandycam December 13, 2009 at 11:37 pm


new version

Trial-Reset 4.0 Beta 1

old

Trial-Reset 3.4

i reset the trial date of
usb safe safely remove 4.2.5.879 to zero
even i have crack for it.

just to make sure this thing works!

a must have utility!
Reply


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