Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Trial software packages use various techniques to enforce the trial period. There's one sure way to keep using software after the period has expired.
Where is it recorded that a program can be used only for 30 days and then must be purchased? Though I've uninstalled it, it remembers the previous installation and will not let me re-install it.
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Free trials are a great way to try-before-you-buy software, so that you can determine whether or not an application is in fact the right solution for you, before you put down your hard earned money.
Applications use different techniques to track the free trial period.
But using the application after the trial period is over, is often still very, very easy.
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Buy the software.
Seriously, by far the most effective, and I have to say ethical, way to keep using software past its trial period - however long that might be - would be to purchase it. The software is not free, and the provider has allowed you to try it out. If you've decided that you want to keep using it then the right thing to do is to spend the money and buy it.
Can't afford it? Well, you're not entitled to a free copy, so your choice is clear: don't use it, or use something else.
I know that's not the answer you were looking for, but it's the right answer.
To actually answer the question you asked...
Programs keep track of trial period in different ways. The most obvious is by using a registry entry, perhaps an obscure one, that as you've seen is left behind after the program is uninstalled. Where in the registry this might be kept is anyone's guess, and will vary from application to application.
That's the obvious way, and it's actually not that difficult for someone with a little technical expertise to reverse-engineer.
So, other applications might use other techniques. Hidden files, benign modifications to other files ... some have even been known to write to hidden parts of your hard disk.
So for the average user, it's a tough situation to overcome. You could install on another machine for another trial period, but I'm guessing you'll eventually run out of machines. (Though using Virtual Machines for this purpose, while a fair amount of work, could be used to "look like" a new machine each time.)
But, honestly, if it's worth that much effort, it's gotta be worth the purchase price.
Just buy the software.
Article C3677 - March 16, 2009
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
There is one piece of Software that I would pirate. I would Pirate Windows 7 ULTIMATE IF and ONLY IF I had purchased Windows Vista ULTIMATE. The reason for this is that the extra money paid was supposed to go towards Windows Ultimate Extras which never eventuated. If this happened in any physical product (i.e. a convection oven that has no convection as promised) then you would be entitled to a refund. In this instance, the refund is equivalent in value to the newer version of Ultimate.
Posted by: Pookey at February 3, 2010 5:45 AMThis is in response to Brett's posting. I am not a marketing guru of any type, but I am a long-time software user, of all types. I am constantly looking to improve my system and all the peripheral software, and I am convinced that because the software industry (including the "BIG TWO", Microsoft and Apple) is a different type of commodity environment, it is easy to justify stealing from the little guy. This industry knows we need their products. For whatever reason (honest need, or computer junkie), we cannot do without the software to keep us in business and online, and most of try to do this in the most up-to-date manner. Again, the software industry knows this. We are hooked, for better or worse. Whenever I have to purchase a piece of software, I do so with the full knowledge that it is a needed expense. If I can find a way to minimize the cost of the software, I do so with a clear conscience. If I can find a way to get the needed software for free (however I can do it), I do this, also, with a clear conscience. This is called "adjusting to your environment", and it has worked for me for many years. I am running an HP Pavilion Elite that I only paid $400 for (new), and I am running Windows 7 Professional (full) that I only paid $30 for. My monitor is a Compaq W1907, and it cost $99. Most of my major software is beta, with the exception of Office Ultimate 2007 ($72). There are some of us out here in the virtual world who have learned how to deal with the economics of "COMPUTER" in a guerrilla fashion. I believe this is, for me, the only ethical - and economic - means to stay in the computer age. I do not lose any sleep over this position, at all.
Posted by: jwmore at February 3, 2010 7:59 AMThere are a whole lotta people out there who want something for nothing, and the quality of their life reflects that. They think that only their hard work deserves to be rewarded . . . but not anyone else's.
Posted by: Lee Nelson Guptill at February 24, 2010 10:50 AMWho Would Not Want Anything For Free???
If You Are Given Something For Free You Dont Offer To Pay For It Do You? Just Take It!
Every Man For Himself In This Day And Age!
Theres Alot Of Greedy People These Days So Id Rather Join Them Than Be Ripped Off!!
17-Apr-2010
Posted by: frisbee at April 15, 2010 3:36 PM
How about this for a reason:
Posted by: Richo at October 12, 2011 4:14 PMI want to trial a piece of image editing software (not photoshop). However another piece of photgraphic software that process RAW files is currently unreliable, and I am trying to decipher what combinations of alpha channels, compression settings an so on are contributing to the issue, or if it is buggy software.
I want to install a trial of the editing software, however there is a reasonable chance that I will not be able to test it because the dependent software won't feed it the right data. If I start the trial, I may never get a chance to determine if the software is suitable.
Effectively I don't want to risk blowing my one chance at trialling the software, in which casae I wouldn't be confident to buy it.
So I'm looking for a way to trial it that would alow me to trial it again in the future if I couldn't get it to work the first time.
If it all works fine, I'll buy it and everyone is happy.