Did everything that was said in the "readme.txt" file - the link posted takes you to the same place as clicking the "My Ashampoo" link; both bring up the "Request FREE full-version key" box...and then nothing happens. Nothing has been sent to either the "Inbox" or "Junk" folder of my AOL account. Nothing during the 11 hours before the "download period" at Giveaway of the Day, or the 15 hours since the expiration period.

Still waiting. I figure I'll get the email later in the week, then told that the offer expired because i didn't register the product within the timeline offered.

#5/@taz666: I'm pretty sure that if you had tried to install the program again you would have seen that on the second screen of the install process there were two options offered, with the first one selected. If you had selected the second radio button and unchecked the first box, no "hijack" would take place.

As far as emails are concerned, you surely must realize by now that if you enter your name and/or email address in ANY kind of form online, you're going to receive emails (and perhaps communications by other means) as a result. The laws require a marketer to obtain permission from you before they can legally send you commercial emails. As such, those emails CANNOT be considered "spam" because you gave permission by filling out the form in the first place.

Bottom line - if you don't want to receive commercial email, then simply don't fill out any forms online! In this instance, the program being offered is basically an "ethical bribe" to obtain permission to email you. (You can always opt out by following the instructions contained in EVERY email Ashampoo sends out - I know because I receive those same emails! I haven't opted out myself, because I value Ashampoo and the products they offer.)

Oh yes... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I unchecked the Ashampoo stuff at setup, but still got a Your Software Deals shortcut on my desktop !!

l love all Ashampoo Burning Studios! I get everyone of them they are so good. Thank you so much Giveaway of the Day for all the free software!! I know that you will be blessed in the New Year!! Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

I already have this from the "Ashampoo offers five Commercial Programs for free this Christmas" offer at https://www.ashampoo.com/en/usd/lpa/christmas?c=xmas12 - the page is still up, FWIW.

To evade the toolbar and browser hijack, choose "Custom Install" and uncheck what you don't want. That simple.

I was more interested in Snap 5, but this is one of the 2 burning programs I keep updated for odd jobs.

Hi Everyone,
Happy New Year! Everyone!!!
Thank you GOTD, And AShampoo for the Free FULL Copy of Ashampoo Burning Studio 2013! Its is an Excellent Program and I was Waiting and hoping for this to come on GOTD ALL YEAR! (o; I also found out and was able to get my AShampoo Photo Studio I lost last year when I have a HDD crash! )o; Now I am Able to use it again too! I didn't know they kept my info On file at Ashampoo! But they Do! Thanks again for the Great Software and The ability to use it! May Everyone have the Best and Brightest New Year Ever! Thank You GOTD and Ashampoo for Very Good Quality applications, Excellent! Be Safe Everyone, Please Think before you drive and take a cab or designated Driver if your going out to celebrate! I the Designated Driver for My Friends tonight! I'll get to tell them what happened tomorrow! LOL! (o; Happy New Year Too ALL! Rick D..

I use Burning Studio off and on for 1) burning DVDs (usually as data disks) and 2) for ripping a few audio CDs, especially when RealPlayer cannot recognize a track. If a CD has a data file, for instance, as do some audiobooks on the disk, RealPlayer will never rip the last audio track next to the data track.

BurningStudio is less temperamental and will rip these and other tracks that finicky software like RealPlayer will not. It outperforms RealPlayer by quite a bit in this regard especially when a disk is not in the best of shape.

Burning Studio does not fill up my computer creating filelists or so-called libraries that I neither want nor use, when I rip audio CDs.

It is also great for creating data DVDs, but is really annoying in that it does not allow for much flexibility in the format, style, and naming of ripped audio tracks from a CD.

It typically does not write a MP3 metatag file very well as track number, artist, and album are never filled in from the file name even though these data are entered.

Also there are just too many darn screens to have to work through for each individual disk to be ripped. This whole part of the suite could be and should be reworked.

Hint: Ashampoo have a look at RealPlayer's screen for ripping an audio CD. It is simple, clean, flexible and straightforward and quick to use by comparison to your clunky multiple screens and lack of user control over naming and metadata tags.

Like everyone else, I, too, get plenty of emails from "Ranier Lesani" and from "Anne Peters" (whomever they are!) as well as from Ashampoo (113 email offers as of today, Dec 31, 2012 since May 16, 2012.

This is what we have delete keys for and I figure, though annoying, it is a small price to bear for the privilege of sampling their products, which are on the whole inexpensive and excellent compared to some other commercial offerings.

Thanks GAWOTD and thanks Ashampoo.

Always pleased with Ashampoo software, thanks GOTD, for offering this newest version.

@74. kh_

Well, it's much easier for Ashampoo actually to give you one license per product, i don't see any negative points there. Why would you like to have 10 unique serials for the same end product? Where is the advantage of that? I actually like how Ashampoo solves this, they won't spam their own registration system with different keys, you can have many giveaways and promos from the same product but only one key per user/account and having an account is really helpful because you can manage all your activated products and their serials on one page, very handy.

I never had any serious technical problems so far with one of the Ashampoo programs i installed with promos or giveaways but what i really don't like is that we will be forced to reactivate the newsletter to get a new promo serial, if an account already was created and the newsletter has been disabled before. It's like forcing the users against their will to use something they don't want. Well, these are only few clicks to disable but a negative point for me.

Last but not least the lack of informations and comparisons to other products when offering rebranded products of already existing versions. Ashampoo should take the advantage and create more transparency for the end users or they should stop using rebrands and confuse users with versions that are already existent with other product names. 2013 sounds good but when the main core is built in 2011 or something, we know it's marketing but very contra-productive when you ask me.

I wonder if anyone would use Firefox when it gets a rebrand namely MozFox.

I couldn't edit my last comment, but the cover/label feature is nice. I like the ability to scan a picture as part of the image choices, so I may just use that the most. The rest? Meh...

Even with the registration and everything, ads to get "full version" pop up at each start of the program. No, thank you.

The official version as shown is 11.0.5.38 (Build 3710). A truncated build, for certain. Yes, I understand we are getting this for "free", but it sucks that we're being told we are getting one thing, but get another. I would rather be a beta tester than clog up my drive with incomplete software. Most of us have burners out the wazoo and would much prefer something that will do a decent job with actual authoring.

Also reputable software vendors should NOT be trying to sneak in toolbars, browser hijacks, or any other malware!

I absolutely HATE it when you have to give your email address to software vendors! The last thing I want is MORE advertising crap cluttering my emailbox!

@taz666 (can ‘t read, slow learner)

and all other moaners of Ashampoo install problems, I bet they never come back and read the comments and advice on how to NOT install Toolbar etc.

Much easier to moan and go away.

and if you have a problem Ashampoo Tech support will help you out.

Perhaps GOATD staff could add some info on how not to install unwanted bits on details page before download button!!

Is there a comparison between Ashampoo® Burning Studio 2013 and Ashampoo® Burning Studio 12 to see the differences?

To 104; take the install slow and easy; opt out of the homepage/toolbar option and the program installs just fine....

Downloaded and installed today's Ashampoo Burning Studio giveaway. However, after several attempts to request free full version license, still no email from Ashampoo over the last three hours. I have even tried with a different email address. Checked spam folders also, not there. Would like to get this registered before the giveaway period expires. Anyone else have this problem? Should this be taken up with their tech support?

I use and like CDburnerXP. It is freeware and works well. Despite the name ("XP") it works equally well on Win 7.

Oh, let me count the ways I need another Burning software? ... Done!

No, but seriously, I wouldn't mind installing this to try it out (after all that's what this site is for, right?), but I have so many other burning applications already, and even ones that rip CD (and movie DVD's ... sshhh!).

There are two reasons I'm not installing it to try out. First and foremost, because the one user reviewed and said that it automatically changed their search engine, without prompting during install, and installed a toolbar - NO THANKS! and the second is because if I installed everything offered here, or even everything offered that I would personally use, I would be running out of hard drive space, quickly (and I have that problem enough already).

I might have re-considered the second reason, if the first didn't exist (just an FYI, GotD and Ashampoo). FYI 2, I have other Ashampoo software installed and I do use it and enjoy using it, so let's hope they reconsider their forced hijacking of user's systems.

would someone tell me how the heck I could burn a dvd from a monie which i have already ripped and it is on mu hard drive?
I have used a shampoo burning studio2012 and have also converted the file to MOV before burning it but when I put it in my DVD player, it will not recognize the disc. hoe ever I could play the movie off the dvd in my computer.
what the heck I have to convert the movie file so when i burn it, my dvd player will recognize and play it?
I am relly tierd of this sh....t. I have burned 5 or 6 dvd which have not been able tp play in my TV via DVD player......

I will give this a shot, but from past experience with Ashampoo DVD burning software am not expecting much. On two different computers (XP and Vista) Burning Studio has proven extremely unreliable, creating disks which immediately failed verification, disks which even the computer wouldn't read, and causing CTDs at the end of the burning stage. (I've used Imgburn and Free Easy Burner for years with no problems ...block the latter in your firewall to kill the parade of ads.)

For those to whom the ability to back-up copy-protected disks is an issue, download DVD43. It's free, requires no setup or user interaction, and works with any burning software.

I cannot get the key, signed in several times and requested it, went to the Help area, sent an email (they sent a generic holiday slow email). How did you get your key from them. I looked at my account, can only see the key from last years 2012 version ????????????

Sorry, your 2013, under Windows 8 Pro 64 bit, failed to see my two DVD drives. My old version 11 sees them quite fine.

And, quite puzzling that install of 2013 provokes an instant nag to buy version 12. So version 2013 is not version 13? If not, what version is it?

@ 103 "To all: do you know excellent double layer CD burner? Let us know all.
Thanks"

Dual layer burner is hardware not software. Most all DVD burning software offers the option to burn to a D9 Dual layer disc.

I was happy to see the 2013 version offered as a free installation today but as it installed, it reset my homepage (which I had to reset) and also installed the Ashampoo toolbar which I did not want. I uninstalled this program but I still have that toolbar. Grrrr......

To all: do you know excellent double layer CD burner? Let us know all.
Thanks.

Quote [GOTD]:

“The program is available for $49.99 (for Burning Studio 12), but it will be free for our visitors as a time-limited offer.”
Well- not exactly. The first part of the above sentence is correct- Burning Studio 12 costs $49.99.

But “it will be free for our visitors as a time-limited offer” is not right. What we got today from GOTD is NOT Burning Studio 12! Nobody knows what we got exactly. As #3 noticed- Burning Studio 12 is 170 MB in size for download – this is only 87 MB. And no such thing like “Ashampoo Burning Studio 2013” on the developers site.

My guess is- this is some gelt or emasculated version…

It would be nice if somebody from Ashampoo explain here what the difference is. But they will not- I am saying this from experience.

All they will do is to bomb our emails with a lot a spam- as always! (I am saying this from experience also!).
*************************

Quote [Ashraf from dotTech] (#1):

“Can burn DVDs but cannot author DVDs. The difference is when you burn a movie DVD you are putting DVD compliant videos (i.e. VOB) onto a DVD; if you burn non-DVD compliant videos onto the DVD, like AVI or MP4, the DVD just acts like a VCD instead of a proper DVD. When you author a movie DVD, you take non-DVD compliant videos (e.g. AVI, WMV, MP4, etc.), convert them to DVD compliant format (i.e. VOB), and burn them onto a DVD.”

Well- this is the top of everything! The cherry of the cake!

And not only- I tried to burn an audio CD from flac (lossless audio format). Guess what- mamma- mia! Nero is doing this from years- like a children’s game!

With so many free alternatives- to expect $50 for this program? Come on, guys… Today is not April 1, right?

#22, it should be illegal for people to install software without reading the dialog boxes and paying attention to what they're doing. It's not a race to click "OK" and "Next" as fast as possible and get the programme installed in the shortest time.

It's already been mentioned enough times already, but it seems it may be worth mentioning again, way down here in the cellar of comments.

If you are having a problem with the Ashampoo Toolbar or Ashampoo changing your home page preferences you really shouldn't be.

The first hint was in Comment #1 by Ashraf; his first comment under "Cons" Your second hint should have the Readme file GOTD includes with all it's Zipped downloads and if you were to read that Readme it tells you how to avoid installing the Toolbar and having your homepage reset.

Your third clue was during installation when it offers you a choice of "Express Installation" or "Custom Installation". All those check marked items are like a great big RED Flag and although greyed out they are legible.

But, if somehow you missed all that and the Toolbar was installed and your home page was changed all is not lost. This is not Malware and should be easy enough to change back the way it was; especially if you use Firefox.

But, you could have avoided the headache by reading the directions (GOTD Readme)

Have a pleasant New Years!

instaled program, program crashed , I uninstal so I am happy...

to #78: you are right. Which one is better? Well, apart of so called
blaotware issue, many others are as well.. but these chaps which do produce software and comment the software, DO NOT DELIBERATELY specify such issues (bloatware, hang up, memory usage, other juicy details), so the comment are alike in this giweaway: yes this is pretty or not so etc. etc. (which does not make any sense, it is similar to girls you date: have pretty face, and legs, but after 5th date, this does not make any sense). I hope this qualifying notes menioned here and REAL TEST of software WILL and MUST change soon.. Thank you.

1> Ashampoo makes great software

2> Read the readme file, and ALWAYS select Custome Install on any program you install. You can accept the defaults if you want to, but watch for "opt out" screens. Almost ALL major software producers nowadays include a hijack that you accept if you don't use custom install and opt out.

3> If you screw up and fail to opt out of email ads, you can simply set up an email filter to send all emails from that manufacturer to trash.

4> I DO WISH that Ashampoo would post a comaprison between V.12 and V.13. Do you guys read these comments?

Ashampoo, tell the people what your program will NOT do and what DVD players and TV's are NOT compatible with your bloated useless software. Tell them they will receive thousands of spam emails. Tell them that after waiting for hours they will receive a new beer coaster. DON'T tell them that for about 35 dollars they don't need a DVD player, that they can purchase a Digital Media Player For USB Drives and SD/SDHC Flash Cards – That Plays MPEG1/2/4, DivX, Xvid, RMVB, AVI, MOV, MP3, MP4 On All TV and HDTV In ANY FORMAT, and can be created instantly.

I've tried previous versions of this app (and just about every other program like it), and my verdict is: it's a keeper. It will combine and burn pretty much whatever media you throw at it. Nice, clean interface, intuitive, and it does the job well. This is also the latest full version of the program, not some older or "lite" version. If you're on the fence, I'd suggest downloading it now while you can, then you'll have it if you ever need it.

I might also mention that most Ashampoo products, this one included, do not overwrite the older versions. They will all reside side by side as long as you like. You can delete the older version or not, as you choose.

Love Ashampoo! :)
Unlike Nero, it is not bloated and slow.

GOTD: I need to register just so that I can offer improvement ideas? No Thank You! I'm registered on enough sites already. Ashampoo being one of them. I've never attempted to leave improvement ideas before and was really surprised when I realized I needed to register for that. No thank you.

In response to Comment #1: I've never had a problem giving my email address for Ashampoo software. I'm a registered user on Ashampoo so if I need to wipe my drive and reinstall I can log into my account and download this title again, as many times as I need to. One of the unique giveaways on GOTD.

Ashampoo: I concur with the author of Comment #1; include DVD Authoring. Also include CD Text ability.

As far as the unending emails, I just register this stuff to a web-based email account which I don't monitor, so I never see the stuff.

Found it. This GOTD is version 11.05. The "2012" version is 10.0.15

I have bought several ashampoo products. But so far not all of them support windows 8. What's the delay, folks?

What is the actual version number of this? I already have 2012 installed.

@taz666 (can 't read, slow learner)

Did you bother to read the readme.txt?:
"Choose "Custom installation" to opt out installation of additional toolbar."

Did you totally miss the easily selectable installation option 'for advanced users' to opt out of anything other than the Ashampoo software?

Always CUSTOM install all unknown software (and any updates that usually kill any GAOTD offers).

Ashampoo offers always come with a toolbar hijack, a search engine hijack. Easy enough to kill the toolbar in Add Remove programs. And easy enough to change your search engine back to whomever in the top right search bar in Firefox. What is a pain in the crack is getting the little used address bar search back.

You can lower the volume of emails by a single click at the Ashampoo website that your GAOTD participation creates for you exclusively. From every email in the company sales force/ to only updates to your product / to none at all. It's also where Ashampoo adds your activation # to keep. I've yet to try to re-install anything with the saved #. But for those that buy the program, this helps with hard drive replacements.

There will be popups nagging you to buy the real product as you turn on the GAOTD product to use it.

Even with ALL these tiny headaches this is far better than Nero.

@taz666 : Did you miss the option where you can choose "Express" or "Custom Installation"?

It asks whether or not you want the toolbar, search, etc in the custom options, including in grey if "Express Installation" is still selected.

Please people, every "free" software package needs to be checked for custom toolbars, add-ins, crapware. Even Acrobat Reader and Java Runtimes have shovelware attached these days, and you shouldn't trust anyone's "Express" installation options.

to: #5, When you install this, you must click "Custom" for install type (it's like the 3rd thing in) and uncheck the options for toolbar, etc. as was mentioned in #1.

Then, you can either unsubscribe from their emails, a small price to pay for *free*, good quality software, or use your junk mail button.

Although if you do that, you may miss bargains on other software they offer, which I have, occasionally, gasp, actually paid for.

I have Ashampoo Burning Studio 2012 - Version 10.0.15 from previous giveaway. When I check update, it says "your current version is up to date"!

Like some people have asked:
Does today's giveaway have any enhancements over 2012?

Should I uninstall 2012 to install 2013?

Let me start off by saying that I like Ashampoo, however regarding this software (their burning software) -
I am still confused about the two versions of 2012 that they had.
One was around for most of the year, then they came out with the real 2012 program fairly recently.
Now that GOTD is giving away the 2013 version, I am further confused.
I suspect the giveaway version is limited like the 2012 version that was around for a while.
I am nearly 71, and it is too much for me to work out what is going on with their burning program(s)

HELP

this could be an excellent software but the main problem is that whenever i start it it just displays the ashampoo logo and then
it just quits i mean literally i can't even see the interface.
i reinstalled it checked task manager redownloaded it but nothing helps it is really maddening i would be much obliged by any help i've got the 2012 version and i REALLY want this one overall thumbs up for 2012 ashampoo

#5 'taz666' -- You must have been too sleepy when you installed this. The GOTD readme.txt file indicates one should choose "custom" installation if one does not want the toolbar, search provider and home page changes. Ashraf's Comment #1 also indicated one should choose "custom" to avoid the changes. And during installation a page appears allowing you to choose "custom" installation and it is pretty clear that this must be chosen to avoid instillation of the "extras". If you overlooked these, it is easy enough to remove them. AShampoo provides good programs for free, allows us to reinstall them if necessary and keeps a record of our AShampoo program keys on their website in case we loose them. They are pretty good to us, I think.

I have installed:
WinX DVD Ripper
WinX DVD Copy Pro
WinX DVD Ripper Platinum
WinX Blu-ray Decrypter
WinX iPhone Ringtone Maker
WinX iPhone Video Converter
Wondershare DVD Creator
WonderFox DVD Ripper
Wondershare iMate
Wondershare Video Converter
Wondershare Vivideo
Aiseesoft DVD Ripper
BDlot DVD Clone Ultimate
iSkysoft DVD Creator
MacX DVD Ripper Pro
WinX Bluray DVD iPad Ripper
BurnAware Home

and MANY others... ALL of which I got from GivawayOfTheDay.
...and I use NONE of them!
Which is better? Which does it all? Why should I get ANOTHER one?

Thank you for the offer, but until one is clearly better than the others, is less BLOATED, and without the hassles of toolbar instillation, I'll go with the smaller simple tools that are FREE and do not require registration.

ImgBurn
Exact Audio Copy
CDex
CDBurner XP