FWIW, before seeing this thread, I have tried to consolidate most of my tips/steps I use for almost-always successful installations. Admittedly my "article" is a bit wordy/lengthy, and I've noticed a few additional tips in this thread (great!), but hopefully it might prove to be a useful read:

Installation tips; and dealing with tiny text, etc., on higher-DPI "4K" displays

https://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/467145

Thanks for all your comments -- very helpful and interesting discussion!

You could setup a directory like "GOTD Downloads" which would be used to hold the downloads and the extracted files. Then, set an exclusion for "GOTD Downloads" plus all sub-directories. That would work for most anti-virus programs. Note, however, that you should never download programs from other sites to "GOTD Downloads" because those downloads don't have a long reputation for "virus and malware free" behind them. Any program that you execute from an "excluded directory" will be ignored by your security system.

The above would not work if you're using Kaspersky. The GOTD installer will not run if Kaspersky is present at system startup. Disabling it doesn't work, nor does setting an exclusion.

FWIW, I don't install many of the GOTD offers anymore but the last one I installed required me to disable my security for the first time. I had never had a problem before. However, between that GOTD installation and the prior one I had installed a new version of the anti-virus program (Avast!) and installed a number of Microsoft security updates. I don't know which one caused the problem or if was a combination of several discrete changes.

Rather than turning off the anti-virus completely, can anyone tell me what the filepath is so I can add it to the exclusions list of my anti-virus program?

What I find so strange is that I was able to download with no problem until one day without my changing my anti-virus program, it just stopped working. I have the same issue as jgf and many others.

Thanks.

jgf, if you haven't resolved the problem then you'll need to disable your security for the time it takes to install the game. You don't need to download it again.

However, temporarily disabling your security doesn't work for some security software (Kaspersky for example) which will either require you to:
(a) boot in "safe mode with networking", install the program, and reboot normally, or
(b) disable the program's "auto start" in the general settings, reboot, install the program, then manually start the security software (and set the "auto start" back on).

In addition, Zemana AntiLogger and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware are known to cause problems with some installations. If you have one or both installed then you might try disabling the active monitoring and see if the game will install.

Had the same issue with today's Beetle game. Never could get it to install. Setup runs briefly, goes immediately to the "software informer" screen, I close that and a browser tab opens to the giveaway page stating "successfully activated" ...but nothing was installed. Downloaded again with same results. Never had this problem in the past.

(Couldn't post in the comments section, get a red "wrong parameters" message when trying.)

The problem you are having is security software related. You need to disable your security software temporarily and install the game after that. After that you can re-enable your security software. Your security software is mistakenly blocking the files because the files are secured using themida wrapper protection. The themida wrapper is sometimes used to conceal viruses in downloads. Thankfully that is not the case with this site. I have installed a huge amount of the giveaway games on my various windows 10 computers. Also make sure you clicked the setup.exe file in the download after unzipping the folder that files are in to install the games. Hope this helps.

I have that same problem on my laptop running windows 10. the folder with the game shows the gcd as a blank page and windows 10 has no program associated with it. I have not been able to download any of your programs since I got this laptop. it says it's installed but like the others it's not there. the actual programs menu to install never shows.

Your security software is preventing the installation of the program. Right-click on the Avast icon in the bottom right of the screen, select "Avast Shields Control, Disable for 10 minutes" from the menu(s) and try the installation again. You don't need to download the file again.

When it installs, right-click on the icon and re-enable the shields.

I have windows 10 on my pc and avast for antivirus. It's been a while that i try to donwload a programme or as today a game and though it seems like it is activated it isn't installed on my pc.Of course i follow the guide, extract all the zip file in another one with all its files and run the setup.exe but no isntallation takes place. Any advice? Thank you.
'

If you search the forum you'll find that a number of people started having trouble with AVG last fall. The solution was download the GOTD program, then do a "safe boot with networking", install the program, and reboot normally. However, you might still be able to use a startup manager to disable AVG, reboot, install the program, and then manually start AVG.

GOTD programs are generally Windows based. Most will probably install in Linux using WINE but it might take some effort. You can easily install them in a VirtualBox or VMWare Windows VM using a more manageable security system (or no security as desired).

Correction; I'm using AVG Antivirus free edition. Win 7 os.

What other os platforms is GOTD compatible with? Linux, BSD? Virtual OS?

You're saying 'Setup' application file is the .exe file?
Yes, it's an efficiency improvement. Instead of looking at one column and seeing "setup.exe" you look a two columns and see "setup" and "application", combine the data and get "setup.exe". Two columns is binary, so it's better. To change, try entering "Folder Options" in a search box (or open "Folder Options" in the Control Panel). Click the "View" tab, and uncheck "hide extensions for known file types".

I double click the application file (key icon), a few seconds, a 'Successfully Activated' screen shows. (that is all)
Which means the setup is aborting at (4) and it's either a problem with your security stopping the installation or the application not liking something it finds on your PC. Since it appears to be happening on a lot (or all) of the giveaways it's likely either your security or account credentials. If you can install other programs then it's probably not your account credentials.

I also have and use Avast free edition.
I'm running Windows 7 and an older version of Avast. I'm a slow updater these days so it may not be that similar. The error log for Avast should be in C:\Users\All Users\Alwil Software\Avast\log but you should also check Event Viewer (type "Event" in a search box to find it).

Did you recently upgrade to Windows 10? If so, have you verified that both Windows Defender and Avast aren't running?

One other thing you might try:
open an run box (windows key and "r" key), enter "msconfig.exe", click the "startup" tab, uncheck "avast!", click "apply" and reboot the PC. It's not quite a "safe boot" as the avast services will probably still load but see if the giveaway will install. If it does then you'll know where the problem is. Afterwards, open "msconfig" and recheck "avast" and "apply". You don't need to reboot at that point, just double-click the Avast program icon to start it.

You're saying 'Setup' application file is the .exe file? I double click the application file (key icon), a few seconds, a 'Successfully Activated' screen shows. (that is all)

I also have and use Avast free edition. Had no problems with seeing and activating the .exe file in the past, only when an email input was needed, now .exe file appears missing or hidden.

With a Windows os or Avast security, what is the best way to review the security log; then correct viewing the .exe file?

I'm not sure what you're asking but I'll type ahead and maybe it will answer your question.

2) Setup (application file, key icon) would display as "setup.exe" if you changed the folder settings. To install a program you need to run "setup.exe" and then follow the instructions in the "readme.txt" file, which in most cases tells you to insert the provided license for the software.

Setup.exe does several things:
1) it checks for an internet connection
2) it determines if the giveaway is valid (date/time check)
3) it unpacks setup.gcd to memory
4) it calls the application installation routine
5) and finally it opens a window giving the good news about having installed a new program.

Setup.exe will display error messages and abort the installation if (1) there is no internet connection, (2) the giveaway is no longer valid or (3) the file manifest for the unpacked application is not correct. You don't get an error if (4) fails. Unless (4) hangs or crashes your system you will always go to (5). Seeing (5) means nothing other than the program installation routine was called by setup.exe and your PC survived the process.

In your case, it's most likely that your security is preventing the installation. The GOTD wrapper normally blocks error messages (it's designed to prevent "reverse engineering" of the installation process) but you might check your security log. Some security problems appear during (3) when files are quarantined and a "setup files are corrupt" error message is generated. Other security problems occur in (4) when you see what you're seeing.

You didn't have the problem before because you were using different security software. You might switch back to whatever you were using. FWIW, I use the free version of Avast! and it works fine.

View options include various icon sizes, list, details, tiles, content. I viewed them all, they all have 3 files. 1) Readme (text file) 2) Setup (application file, key icon)
3) Setup.gcd

Is exe. within the application file? (extract?) Or a firewall issue? (configure; allow certain settings?)

The files you listed above: 1) Readme; 2) Setup; 3) Setup.gcd are really: 1) Readme.txt; 2) Setup.exe; 3) Setup.gcd

You're using the default explorer mode of "hide extensions of known file types" so you don't see the txt or exe extensions. GCD is not a known file extension so it's visible. You can change the mode via the "View" tab in "Folder Options".

More or less; same, once you extract the archive you get a more direct .exe file to install the program. Now, .exe files appear at times, varying from user to user.

Is Setup.exe within 'Setup.gcd'?; because when I double click: Setup (key icon), a message just shows: You've activated the program.

Is there a freeware gcd program to open Setup.gcd? (or why isn't there a Setup .exe file?)

As another alternative, can daily software providers have a direct GOTD link on their webpage or a link from your page to download the .exe install file?

is there any way to revert back to the original direct download file?

The readme file tells you how to install the program. The instructions are generally "Unzip the package you`ve downloaded and install the software by running Setup.exe, then register the software using the registration key provided."

In the past, GOTD had a direct download link that included an exe. file. (direct program install)

Now, they feature an 'email input' signup.

As an example, the latest giveaway is called: Aiseesoft Screen Recorder.
Extracting and opening the email download shows 3 files.
1) Readme
2) Setup
3) Setup.gcd

Is the exe. program file contained within the gcd? A quick online search shows that gcd can be opened up with programs such as isobuster. (paid program)

Now perhaps your site has been spammed with too many spam posts; spam users, or spam emails, though is there any way to revert back to the original direct download file?

Consider that people have different os's, cleaning software, firewall configurations, etc, this might make things easier, simpler, overall less hassle.

Before doing a Repair Install, let's try something less drastic:

Open your file manager and see if msconfig.exe is in c:\windows\system32

If it is, then open a run box (windows key + the "r" key), click the browse button, navigate to c:\windows\system32 and select msconfig.exe, click OK and you should be able to get to "safe mode with networking".

This article, Windows Cannot Find Msconfig, tells you what to do if msconfig.exe isn't present or if you want to change the App Path so that Windows can find the program. The path you list above is the correct path so maybe the file has always been missing.

You might want to run virus and malware scans. Your PC might have always had the issue but, if not, you might have something that needs attention.

Neither of the first two helped me, although I really appreciate learning some new skills, so thanks Chris! I have switched focus to Super moon/Eclipse mode, so will maybe have to try the last idea tomorrow or next day. Again, my thanks to GOTD team & Chris S, also Mikiem...really appreciate that you tried to help a noob and were so patient & kind. That's why I love this place and don't want to leave it. I'll keep you posted...

Susabella, three suggestions:

Your account might not have access to msconfig. Enter "msconfig" in the search box, right-click on the search result "msconfig.exe" and select "run as administrator" from the menu. If it works, give "safe mode with networking" a shot.

If it still can't find it, type "cmd" in the search box, right-click on "cmd.exe" and select "run as administrator" and enter "sfc /scannow" in the run box that opens. Note that you might need your system disk. The "System File Checker" will replace files that are corrupted and add files that are missing if they should be present.

Finally, you might need to do a repair installation. Make a full system backup first. Sadly, this isn't something you'd want to do in a rush so you might miss out of this game.

Dang. Not sure why, but I get this when I try to run Safe Mode: "Windows cannot find'C:\Windows\system32\msconfig.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again."

What happened to msconfig on my computer? I think I may have more serious issues...any advice?

Thanks for all your help....

Ok, looking at Event Viewer, I can see there are some errors and some security "audits" but can't seem to get much detail on when they happened (other than last 24 hours) or what program etc caused them...sorry to bug you guys again, but if you see this - and don't worry if not in time for this game because I know I'm posting late in the day - could you advise me a little on what to do next? Thanks!

Editing: OK! Figured out it's not errors based, I think - and possibly is security...I did disable AVG but maybe trying to run in safemode is the key. I thought I tried that, but will try again. Thanks guys!

Thank you so much for your responses, Mikiem and ChrisS. You probably couldn't find me (thanks for trying!) as I had to set up new login because I couldn't find/remember my old one. Sigh.
I did d/l the game & unzip - it was after that I ran into troubles. I believe I have tried safe mode before, but I haven't gone to look for the event viewer log until now, so will try that. Thanks, and I'll keep you guys posted as long as I don't lose this login/password combo again...

And I'm "still" having the error of can't connect - try again later. I've done everything that's been suggested - rebooting the router - turning off security programs - rebooting into safe mode with networking - I've even gone into control panel and uninstalled every Windows update that had been installed just before this problem started.

I love the game giveaways and have been installing and using them since y'all first offered them. I'm so sad that now I can't install them. :-(((

I get a quick flash of something and then nothing happens.

I'd check Event Viewer first (type "event" in the search box and then select "Event Viewer" or go to Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Event Viewer) and see if you have anything showing up in the Logs that correspond to the time of the crash. If you do, that error will tell you the faulting application and likely point toward a solution. More info on Event Viewer if desired/needed.

If it's your security software then you may now need to boot in "safe mode with networking" to install the program. It's no longer sufficient on some machines running certain security software to simply disable the security to install the GOTD program. To boot in "safe mode with networking" start msconfig (press windows key and the "r" key to open a run box, type "msconfig", press enter) or (type "msconfig" in a search box and pick it from the menu), then:
Click the "boot" tab
Check the "Safe Boot" Box
Check the "network" box at the bottom of the Safe Boot column
Click OK, restart the PC, try to install the program. (You don't need to download it again.)
When done, whether it installs or not, go back to "msconfig", check "normal startup" on the main page and reboot your system.

Edit: Mikiem gave you the same advice... hopefully, we're both right!

In case it helps at all Susabella...

"I have d/l the game via several unzip programs (7-zip, DownThemAll, etc) and when I try to install it, I get a quick flash of something and then nothing happens."

You should download the .zip file from GOTD, then use 7-zip etc. to expand that .zip file into it's own folder -- I'm not sure if that's what you were doing, & if so apologize.

If the setup.exe file in that folder won't run properly, something's preventing or stopping it. It could be something that's broken in Windows, including some sort of mal-ware, or as is often the case, it could be installed security software mistaking it for a threat. If it's something that's broken in Windows it can be hard to find because there are so many possibilities, but thankfully that sort of thing is rare. If it's security software causing the problem, which seems most often the case, the generally accepted work-a-round is to reboot or restart the system into Windows Safe Mode with networking.

The reason that Safe Mode may be necessary is that a Lot of security software will not let you fully disable it -- I suppose the logic is that if it was possible to easily turn it off, than mal-ware could do just that. Usually running in Safe Mode disables security software. Safe Mode is also a good 1st step in diagnosing a problem if/when security software is not at fault, since most of the stuff that's normally running in Windows will not be running in Safe Mode.

Again, apologies if you have already tried Safe Mode without success. Searching the forum for your name only brought up this one post, & you don't say whether you've tried Safe Mode or not.

(Reposted from my comment on GGOTD page for 9/27/15 game)
I still cannot download any games, I have tried ALL suggested fixes on FAQ’s and those found on
the web…I have asked here for help now at least 3x and I know you are busy, and besides one
idea to which I quickly tried & replied that it didn’t help, no one has really replied with any other help
or suggestions. Without reiterating every word I’ve previously posted, I have d/l the game via
several unzip programs (7-zip, DownThemAll, etc) and when I try to install it, I get a quick flash of
something and then nothing happens. Believe me, I’ve tried everything (downloading software that
it turns out I didn’t need!) so unfortunately, I will have to stop visiting your site after coming here
since its inception, I think. Whiterabbit, I just want to say thank you for all the other countless
hours of joy and fun I’ve had with the myriad of games I’ve acquired over the years…I am so so
sad I can’t be a part of the weekend fun anymore, but I just don’t know what else to try or do. No
one else seems to have my issues I guess. It just suddenly changed a few months ago and I
haven’t been able to d/l games since. (Running Win7) Thanks again, GGOTD – I will miss you.
PS - sorry, I forgot to mention 2 things...I did disable security software, and I did post something in
the forums a while back as well...I will re-post there today though...I forgot that you'd prefer that we
post to tech/forums rather than here - so sorry & oops! ~ Susabella