after downloading yesterday the kasperky was trying to check for virus and immediately it crashed the laptop running on win7 and eversince I am not able to start/reboot even on safe mode and

This program has the same concept as freeware Microsoft Windows SteadyState.

Microsoft discontinued SteadyState in 2010. The latest was v2.5 for Vista SP1.

With Win7+ we can do it using Windows internal features. See "Creating a Steady State by Using Microsoft Technologies".

This is probably a little too late to get any response (less than 30 minutes to go before the end of the giveaway). Despite Fubars comment I decided to install today's giveaway, but cannot find a shortcut or the installed program. (my O.S. is Win 8) When I try to search for Shadow Defender it says there's no app with that name (or words to the effect). I didn't make a note of where it was installed, so tried to install it again (and again). It goes through the installation process, but there's no path displayed. Has anyone else had this problem and was it solvable? Thanks in advance for any help.

p.s. I've looked through processes (via Task Manager) to see if its running, but cannot find it. Also I'm on a 64 bit system and did install the 64 bit version. :)

@Fubar -

Fubar - I have a very fuzzy recollection that perhaps you used to use ShadowDefender, no?? My memory of your mentioning it is vague, but I'm sure I remember you thinking highly of some kind of "light virtualization" product. Wasn't Returnil, wasn't RollbackRx or TimeFreeze...

Did you used to use this at one time and think highly of it or am I thinking of something else?? If it was ShadowDefender, why the apparent change in opinion?

Also... anyone had any experience in using this along with RollbackRx??

I just want to thank GAOTD and the maker of Shadow Defender for providing this excellent program for free.
KUDOS! 5 Stars +++++

"Sorry, Shadow Defender doesn't support tihs operation system"

Yeah.... "tihs"

I guess Win 7 64 compatibility is such a struggle to code.

downloaded , or attempted to download 64 bit version from bottom line in email offer...........I get 0% Extracting BOX that never moves
Task Manager says Running. NOT.

How do you shut down Shadow Defender and exit the application? Once it is started up, there is no way I've found to kill the application unless you go to the Task Manager.

Bon Giovanni - answer to your question - Why COMODO INTERNET SECURITY is free.

COMODO is in the Trust and Authentication business and not the anti-virus business. They do T & A stuff for the big banks and merchants.

When Obama ran his first presidential campaign his team used COMODO to do the T & A for his fund raising. Remember his angle was to obtain his funding from the "people" and not the corporate donors. His website collected about half a billion dollars.

When an Obama follower went to the fund raising site to make his or her contribution the question is, "Am I on the right site or a scam site?. This is where the T & A plays its part. Obama did not want his funds to go to some scam artist with a look alike site with a similar sounding domain name.

The T & A business allows COMODO to charge the mega banks mega bucks for their service. A sweet big monthly fee per bank or merchant.

This means that COMODO does not have to sell 20k copies a month of their antivirus product to survive. This is why you never see them compete in this niche. (The compete in the T & A niche).

To be in the T & A game they need to be totally on top of the anti-virus game. That is why their AV product is so damn good.

CIS is like their loss leader - promo leaflet. This means they do not have the pressure the AV companies have.

great programme for running keygens, you can get the activation key without the worry of a virus or malware

I love those guys named Fubar, Giovanni and Ashraf for my fave three commentors. Now let the scores rack up negative on this comment. I don't care... there I said it.

4 THUMBS UP for this GAOTD and obviously highly recommended!!

err...would not two thumbs ordinarily be the maximum? I suppose it "is" possible, but you would have to be a very unique individual, perhaps work for a circus?

There are some regulars here whose opinions I normally respect however one of them is very wrong IMO today (I won't mention names) because this program is a simple, excellent tool and used as intended is very very safe and will totally save your computer if you are venturing into danger zones whether on the Internet or installing an unknown program or trying out something that might have potential to mess up your Windows. Then and only then you turn on Shadow Defender. It's not something you would leave on all the time unless it's a kids computer that you want to always boot back up the same way. You can still save info to a flash drive also. To answer one person's question yes you have the option to have it start up or not with Windows. It's one of MY top ten most valued programs.

Thanks to #67, Saved my day, In my opinion, From everyones opinion here A waste of time, GOTO Used to have some really great software that I still use, Is it that the developers have ran out of new ideas, Or is it the new thing to try and improve someone else's idea, If I have to go back to school to use a new piece of software I don't think I need it, Like # 67. sorry, I had that happen to me a few months ago, from a giveaway. It would be a great piece for Libraries and schools. Since I have neither I will pass and will still be able to use my PC again tomorrow.

hi does not work in windows 8 pro with download in description. If we download directly from site can we activate with a code ?

Great Program GOTD! Way to go! I downloaded, installed and tested
Shadow Defender and it works great.

To Giovanni, as always you so totally rock!
Your freeware alternatives have been very useful to
me and I greatly appreciate your input.
Keep up the good work GOTD and Giovanni.

Anyone know what happens if you have a windows automatic upgrade installation (or other software update) and the computer reboots to complete the upgrade or if there is a power outage and you restart after the power outage ?

@16 Giovanni - thanks for the alternatives. Since there doesn't seem to be any 'movement' towards resolution for us 64 bit folks, I am downloading http://www.toolwiz.com/products/toolwiz-time-freeze/ to a virtual machine now.

I prefer to make a backup of Windows the day before the updates are released the 2nd tuesday every month by Microsoft. I use a bootable disc with the backup software and let it backup the entire partition to an external drive. I do this for all my Windows computers.

Experimenting with software i don't seem to understand is a big no, even if i have used Windows for many years now.

Too many here seem to have problem with the setup also.

I already have other security software installed that i trust about 99%, so i don't need this one. Sorry. But thanks anyway !

@16 Giovanni - nice job learning about software that's been around for years. I have been using this suite (currently called Comodo Internet Security Premium, but it still is free) for around 3 years and I'm not a fan of trying every new program just because it's free, in particular when it comes to security software.

I installed shadow defender on xp 32 bit.
works fine.for those of you worried about anti-virus update or windows
update dont worry because shadow defender can be turned off easy
for updates to take place in your real computer.then just turn sd
back on anytime.
to turn shadow defender on or off just go into the settings
mode setting, then click enter shadow mode or exit shadow mode.
when you click exit shadow mode you will be in your real computer again.

I agree. I am running windows 8 64 bit, downloaded from the "If you are x64 OS user, please get the installation materials here (file size: 10.6 MB)" link. Unzipped, ran it, says it's activated.

Not a single sign that anything was installed anywhere.

Installed this on windows7 32 bit system and rebooted

OOOOPS!

Seems like my pc has died, what has happened here is that the boot screen has come up but f2 and f12 keys wont work. FROZEN completely.
I cant even get it to boot up with the installation disc or the repair disc

My system is/was working fine until this afternoon, famous last words eh?

Any chance of help? Im having to recharge my android phone to surf at the moment, just as well I have something else to enable me to find a remedy for this DISASTER of a software release.

Windows 7 x64
Used the x64 setup... extracted files to same folder, ran setup, but I don't believe program was activated, and cannot find a link or activate button.
Any Ideas?

Windows 7 user here -- the problem i have with protecting files from rollback is that I don't know where all those files are, or often, even what they are named (control files, especially).

Some are in the folder with the application creating them. Some are in Libraries. Application Data, Users, various system files ... Even when I know their names, "search" may turn up none, or dozens with the same name in different paths.

Yes, I grab file utilities when they are offered here! :-)

The moderators held my comments #7 & 9 while the rest of you were going gaga. I understand that vendors need customers, but they allow comments from others like Giovanni. If you use software like this, you will lose data no matter what exclusions you list. In the first place, you have no idea of all of the locations that Windows and programs use. In the second place, the Registry that you love to bad-mouth is where many settings are stored, and are you going to exclude that? I don't know about the rest of you, but my computer actually does things and I actually use it. These types of "solutions" are long-obsolete, much better solutions are available, and this type of software is far more trouble than it's worth. A very few "big-name" vendors still provide this type of software, but most have long since dropped these types of utilities, including Microsoft.

Dear GOTD team. Like always some of the visitors are not able to read all the information properly. Therefore they are stumbling with the installation on x64 OS.

BUT even if the x64 setup is downloaded from the given link, on Win 8 Pro x64 there is a bug: the installation stucks on the extracting process with 0%. Cancel fails, so it has to be shut down with the TaskManager, which shows a "7z Setup SFX (32 Bit)" application running. The previously here given away excellent Soft Organizer 3.04 shows over 56000 traces for a not finally installed prog! So PLEASE could you fix this annoying bug. I was losing hours with the problem. Many thanks in advance.

how does this compare to deep freeze?

Hi, in my humble view (a regular Windows PC user) - Light Virtualization is a very useful technology if.. you fully understand how it works, what it does, what changes it will make to your "every day PC life" and decide for yourself which suits you better. The concept alone seems fantastic. Virtual (any way!:) PC contains "extra safe" virtual features (folders, programs, games, security Software) existing and leading their own life - within your PC, and yet "away" from it. The whole Structure of being relatively in "manual" control of your own Office - on your drives, in your folders and files is.. being partially (unless in full VB that is) - shipped to a different "keeper"? Like bank manager telling you your cash is much safer in his bank than in your home (and that's correct right?, lol)
Here - both your savings and cash in hand live under one roof, but you must understand that only cash in hand is something you have unhindered access to and control of.., the rest is a matter of trust and understanding.

[I used Sandboxie for a while (years back) being fascinated by it's concept, feeling smugly safe, happy, "with it", wow.. till it started crippling my movements, confusing me, getting in a way and I got rid of it. I'm not some "Luddite" smashing new technology and crawling back to my cave, I just didn't give it enough time and attention to fully understand how it serves me, simple. Earlier this year I installed on my lap Oricle VB in hope I can have XP on it (currently with Win7), but again leaving it unused and empty, asking the same old question - what exactly did I try to achieve there (in a meantime finding ways how "not to listen" to Win7 and making XP stuff workable within, and without VB, funny old world:), but enough rambling and confessions.]

In essence: Light Virtualization, or "Shadow Mode" (I did read Ashraf's "final verdict", as usual) - which Today's Giveaway of Shadow Defender 1.2 is based on - can only be of use to someone who fully understands how it works, on top of it(!) who can set it in a way so NOT to panic when Windows shuts itself down (without warning?, aaah:( and only if one's work (composing anything, game, post?) is perfectly saved on restart. Anyone having nervous disposition (or history of dealing with bsods..) might give it a miss. That is not to say this Software hasn't got it's useful merits and potentials. Is it beautify "too clever" and only for the brave and knowledgeable? Perhaps. Let's hope not major else is "wrong" with it.. I like to be protected, but for me personally - in more stable way. Sorry for banging on about virtualization "as such", but in today's Software I would have to take this aspect on board as well. Just my case.

All of you people that are trying to download and getting problems, go back to the top of the email and make sure you are downloading the proper version of this program.

Question to forum members who have already used/installed this GAOTD software. Does it offer an option that the software is started manually, rather than automatically with the system startup?

I hate the idea that I need to install any promising GAOTD or other software to see if I actually need it. So I think I would use it only to test new software in order to see if it suits my needs. Otherwise I would run my system in a normal mode.

Thanks in advance for your advice.
Regards
Marek

Tried to redownload 64 bit version several times. When trying to install on windows 8 64bit machine it hangs right after starting the install and disappears. Tried running setup as administrator and still nothing. Funny it activates the key before the install then does not install.

# 44

No answers yet to #13 maybe bcs he asked a senseless question... if you use CIS 2013 (Pro or Free version) you don't need this gaotd because CIS already has a very good sandbox technology (see #18 ).

It's like saying: I have Avast AV...do you know if it conflicts with Avira AV or AVG?

Awesome program! Way better than the similar Returnil (which I believe is no longer supported). If you have multiple hard drives you can choose which ones to protect. Great for testing new programs or something that might have a virus or cause a problem on your computer. I've been using it for over 6 months and have had NO problems with it. Uses a mere 4 Megabytes in memory when not in use.

I have windows7 64 bit. Getting error message that it dosn't support this operation system.

Do I understand it right that you can turn this on when you need it such as when trying out something etc, and at other times you can turn the protection off so you don't lose your work etc?

@wt: no, by default the virtualisation is not enable, you can enable it for testing purposes and then disable it.

Get error message "Sorry, Shadow Defender does not support tihs operation system"
Im on Win7 Home Premium with 8GB RAM & i7. What gives?

X64 version doesn't install. First time the 7zip extractor window came up but did nothing. Subsequent attempts do nothing at all except loading setup.exe into memory.

Windows 8 Pro

Hmmm. 28x yes for comment 7, but no answer yet. I'm thinking this recovery program is overkill or more trouble than it's worth for most private computer use. For schools, libraries, web cafes, and the like where students or whoever save their work or whatever to a USB key, it's probably a great idea to start with clean computers every morning. However, unless you want to remove or hide all traces of "questionable" browsing or social networking, I don't see any compelling reason to use this program.

Re: comment #2 (Tony), Revo and the like take adequate care of normal uninstallation processes and there's always Restore points for extreme situations.

So, 252 thumbs up at the moment, but few people mentioning relevant reasons to install the program. Saving a computer from experimenting kids seems reasonable, but I have no kids. It doesn't appear to block rootkits (#4) so much as to keep them in a virtual environment that disappears when you shut down.

I still think I may be missing something given all the positive remarks.

Sorry that I'm asking for some help, but I cannot install this soft on Win 8 Pro x64. Downloaded from the x64 link, but every time I start the setup.exe a little "extracting" window pops up and stucks with 0%. Has to be terminated with TaskManager. And, yes, I have the .gcd file in the same folder as setup.exe. Usually I am not such an idiot but for this I find absolutely now solution. Probably one of you guys can give me the hint. Would really like to try this offer. Thanks in advance.

Did not install on my Win7 machine. Gave me the following error message: "Sorry, Shadow Defender doesn't support tihs operating system"

The typo of "tihs" (in the above quote) was not done by me, but is an exact quote from the software.

Tried to also install as administrator, but got the exact same message.

Nowhere on the GOTD info does it specify what versions of Windows it is compatible with (but I'm guessing it's not anything later than Win7).

WinXP anyone?

-Mark

Downloaded it but comes up as it's not supported on my system. I am running Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. Tried running it in compatibility mode for Vista and XP but still the same compatibility message appears.

Any Suggestions?

...OS: XP Pro SP3 (All system requirements met).
Download (Ok) > Install (Ok) > Run > application doesn't initialize; no start screen, actually, no nothing. Any suggestions?

#7 wt
Go to Exclusion List, and you can add file or entire folder to exclude from the protection. Also, in Mode Setting, all your harddisks will be listed for you to choose which to enter shadow mode, and you may even choose another harddisk other than your system drive. Hope this help.

wt - Generally a program like this is used when you are browsing the web or, as someone else mentioned above, trying out a new piece of software that you're not sure you want to keep. You activate Shadow Mode, and then any activity you perform will be "lost" when you reboot. This helps keep your browser sessions more secure, and "cleans" your system from shareware that you find out you don't want. If you want to keep the shareware, turn Shadow Mode off, and install again. The software does have ability to exclude folders where you could, for example, save files that you downloaded from the web, but you should use caution here as malware could also then live in these folders. So, if you are editing code and Word files during the day, you wouldn't use Shadow Mode during those times.

I'm curious about things like automatic updates, for example Microsoft's automatic update in the middle of the night. Normally after an update it automatically restarts the PC. Won't updates like that be lost? Also Malware bites updates regularly. There are several other software's that update regularly. Well, you get the idea. I looked at the site and it appears that we can exempt some things, but how do I know what to exempt, and if I do am I negating the benefit of Defender?

@#7.

It is stated in no. 1 post that one of its feature is "Exlusion List feature allows you to exclude specific files/folders from protection". Meaning you can exclude a certain file or folder and naturally its the folder where you save your daily work.

Other program work like Shadow Defender is Time Freeze and Deep freeze. I used the latter for 8 years now. So far so good. The only different is that Deep Freeze have only an option to freeze for a certain drives and not for a certain file or folder.

How does an anti-virus software works when Shadow Defender is running? Does the anti-virus software still runs without causing problem to your PC?

Sorry, missed the first comment. You will need to exclude the folders that need to be updated by the software you have installed, ie: dropbox, mail folders, game save folders, etc. or when you reboot, it will be gone.