Most important software applications are generally shareware. This means that we have to pay money in order to use them. However, most of them are offered for free, in trial versions to potential customers for a limited period of time ( generally around 30 days ).
Normally, after we test an application and we start to like using it, we should pay for it so we can continue to use it after the trial expires. However, as we well know, there are a lot of useful applications or even indispensable ones that we want to use for a long time. And considering this, sometimes we only have to settle with the trial versions.
The biggest flaw is trial versions is that after a period of time they expire. And after they expire, most software applications cannot be used anymore. However, there are a few methods with the help of which you can extend the “life” of a trial version.
1. Never give them the exact date!
The moment we install a trial application, the countdown begins. However this countdown is based strictly on the date when the application was installed. If we “stop” the time, the countdown will also stop.
Here is how!
- Time Stopper is a small program that can help you freeze time for trial versions of your favorite software applications without affecting the time and date of your operating system. However, you will have to open Time Stopper every time you want to use a trial version. You might not like this program because it’s adware.
- If you don’t want to use a software like Time Stopper, you can solve the problem by manually changing the time and date of your operating system. By doing this you can “trick” the application that is still in a trial version.
Make them believe they are first time visitors
Just the way you install them, trial versions can be uninstalled and then reinstalled and you can use them again and again. However, in order to use them again you have to delete every track of their previous installations on your computer. Here’s how you can do that:
- uninstall the trial version and restart your computer
- disable the UAC so you can make the necessary changes
- go to C:\Windows\Users\[user-name]\AppData\Roaming or type %APPDATA% in Windows Explorer
- identify the folder with the same name as the trial application and then delete it
- open Registry Editor and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software, then identify the trial folder and delete it
- repeat for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOftware, close the registry editor and restart your pc again
- reinstall your trial applications and voila!
This thing does not work with Windows Vista. I did all the that and after the last restart and reinstall it says thatI have 0 days left.