Suggestions added to http://shadow-defender-1-4-0.idea.informer.com/ doesn't appear.

Is it still working?
If no, why isn't it removed?

thank You GOD and thank you SD. great software.
One suggestion:
Adding Shadow Mode to the context menu would great
for example when installing a program, right click on the executable then have ability to enter Shadow Mode from the same menu.
Just a thought.
Kami

Thank you very much!
Installed and works fine on WinXP-PRO-SP3.
Eldad

Windows 10 64 Bit: Had to turn off AVG.

I have 10 partitions on my HD. Every time I start the program they are all selected to be in shadow mode. Do I really need to shadow or not by un-clicking my "Notes" partition every time I use the program? Or my not being used dual boot partitions?

It seems that it would be better if the program would have a set up screen to save how I want the program to function.

I would recommend that there is a button added to "Save the changes" as one of the selections when closing Shadow. I don't see that selection now.

I just opened Shadow to check something and it wants to reboot now or later even though I have made NO changes. That's an odd way (you WILL reboot) to end a program if you just open & then want to close it.

The program does have many selections of what & how you might want to shadow files etc but why you'd want to do many of them is unclear.

I've been using Toolwiz TimeFreeze for many years and it is much simpler to use. Start it, change things, decide if you want to save the changes or not, click Stop TimeFreeze ........ done. And it doesn't need to reboot to save changes.

Also there is not a clear indication that the program is really activated. Yes, I see that my user name was put in the "about" listing but it doesn't say "activated". Instead in the F1 Help section I find that the program is (supposedly) in "30 day trial mode". (Since this is GOTD I assume that the program is really activated. BUT I'd rather not go through the learning curve only to have it quit working next month.

Conclusion: Interesting but not that user friendly.

I HAVE A QUESTION. How does this exclusion work? Will I be able to see and delete the Malware and keep the good part of the program, with out the Malware? Many times VIRUS TOTAL says this new App. has a TROJAN OR PUP.

Will this Shadow Defender, allow me to detect this MALWARE and exclude it, since I want to keep this App? I want the App with out the MALWARE.

Please explain in simple terms.

Just a word of warning to you guys. I like SD a lot, however I have had problems when I come out of shadow mode and select the "commit" option. You only see that when you exit shadow mode and get two options. It looks likes it's intended to write all the changes so that they are applied to the base system. In two cases, when I rebooted the tiles on my Win 10 start screen were gone, and some of the icons on my taskbar were missing. In both cases, I wasn't in shadow mode long, and I didn't do much to the system. I had to use an image backup to recover a working OS. If I just let it reboot and revert to the previous state, it has worked well for me. I'll just use it that way.

Never received the link thru email.Second or third time thats happen.

I have used this software for a while from a previous giveaway, and I am very pleased with it. It has helped me protect my computer a few times when suspicious files were downloaded/ opened. Once rebooted everything restored back to the last stable state. I use my PC now perpetually in shadow mode; it gives me confidence that my system will be protected amidst all the internet attacks, more than with any antivirus. There is a problem of losing an occassional file though, when I forget to save it outside the shadow; but it is my fault. I use a SD card permanently as my active drive now and save anything worth on it. I also have to remember to take PC out of shadow mode once or twice a week and update windows and anti-virus, and transfer files from SD card to where they belong on HD.
I also use toolwiz timefreeze on a different computer and that also works very well. None of the two systems have ever failed me and I can't tell if one is better than the other. They are both very good pieces of software and very helpful.

I installed this program and it appears to be functioning, but it tells me that it is only a 30 day trial.

Today I took another chance and this time your software wrapper worked, hopefully you solved the problem.

Thanks to the Publisher for offering this program and thanks to Giveaway of the day for making this program available and your software wrapper working to install it.

With all the changes going on inside Windows 10, this program will be a great testing platform.

Sincerely,

Gary Smit

THANKS...to all who responded to my earlier questions (version #, etc.). I encountered...something (not certain about whether or not I developed some "magic fingers", or, the program installation did this, however) wherein my computer, suddenly, did a..."Re-Start" without any notice? (If "a trick" I produced itself--hopefully, I'll...un-learn "how", exactly?) In any case, IF program does this--without any...notice; I didn't notice any forewarning--it would become HELPFUL FOR folks knowing it's going to...occur? (Again, could have simply been something I...did, also?) It was disconcerting as well--once, Re-Start, did...happen--seeing some writing at the bottom of the window, right-hand side...bottom, saying "This copy of Windows is not genuine." WHAT...? Another Re-Start didn't noticeably produce a like phenomenon--and, maybe, this program was simply lining up it's...info (IF, again, IT does this, likewise)?

It works. I switched to it from the freeware Time Freeze, which has given me problems when upgrading versions of 10, even if I uninstall before the upgrade, reinstall afterward. Maybe a nice extra for some, it will also protect multiple drives/partitions, though I haven't used that feature.

Like Time Freeze & the couple few other alternatives available, when turned on Shadow Defender causes all writes to a protected drive/partition to be written to a sort of swap file, rather than the physical drive itself. Because no changes are made to that hard drive, rebooting Windows has [more-or-less] the same effect as restoring an image backup, without taking the time to restore a backup. Because you're adding an extra step -- when it's running the software has to decide whether what Windows wants to read from a hard drive is on a real hard drive, or in that swap file -- your device [PC, laptop etc.] will run a small bit slower. You'll also loose any security software updates that happened while it was running, so maybe have it check for updates after you reboot & revert to the *before* state.

I use it for testing software when testing in a VM won't work, e.g. looking for any incompatibilities with the software [including drivers] installed in Windows. It *may* be safer regarding malware, depending on how & where that malware attempts to install itself, & I've read of some security software that uses a similar technique, along with its other protections, but I've never seen an evaluation by security experts. Personally I can't help but wonder if this sort of virtualization software is all that bulletproof when it comes to malware, &/or protecting a copy of Windows from changes, why isn't it more widespread, rather than seeing all that investment in things like Chromebooks & the new Windows 10 S.

It can help protect your privacy by preventing data from being stored on your hard drive that someone(s) might later find, but so can a VM or perhaps a RAM disk, or maybe just using a private browser window or portable browser [anything written to the hard drive is deleted when you close the browser]. When it comes to the online traces you leave behind, a Virtualbox VM *might* have a slight edge, since in addition to using things like a VPN &/or TOR, you can use a temporary MAC address [a MAC address is unique to every network adapter]. If/when it matters DO remember that there's file recovery software, and memory scrapers too. Swap files can be read, including those used by virtualization software; deleted files may be undeleted; if the device hasn't been turned off, data stored in RAM can be retrieved.

All in all Shadow Defender is pretty light weight in terms of its effects on Windows, & it doesn't have to automatically start with Windows either, so it's probably something good to have around, even if you think you might only very occasionally use it.

Appears that you don't need a key, just put your name in and reboot. As far as i can tell it is now registered.

Hi,
thank you for this excellent giveaway!
I would like to know, what on page "Administration" the option means:
-- Enable hibernation in Shadow Mode --

Thanks for your answer in advance!
Karo

For all who are asking about Fast Startup, it is a feature which windows 8 and 10 ONLY have (not win 7) and through a hyber file previously saved in your OS (something like hybernation) allows you to boot faster, remember that BOTH, BIOS (quick boot) AND Windows settings (fast startup) HAVE to be enable for this to work, therefore making it boot real fast because of some settings saved in this file, that's why this is not recommended by this program, you will have some of the windows state prerecorded and you won't get the full advantage of the actions explained by this software.

To glnz: Fast startup is a setting in the Windows control panel starting with Windows 8. Go to power options in the control panel to disable it. "Choose what the power button does."

Hello, does anyone know how this program differs from Sandboxie?
Any advantages or disadvantages in either one? Thanks for any info.

Does anyone know if I uninstall it, and then try to install it again after the giveaway period... will it let me do that? Right now it seems to check the date before it allows an installation. Which means I must leave it installed to keep it.

This is one of the most fantastic pieces of software that I have. Simply place a drive in shadow mode and you can edit/delete/modify anything you want without having to worry about tearing things up. You can edit your registry, delete files, install software and when you reboot, the registry will be back to how it was, the deleted files will reappear, and the software you installed will be gone. Everything will be back to how it was before you entered shadow mode. While in shadow mode, the changes appear to be real to the system, so you can edit/save files and reopen files while still in shadow mode and the changes are reflected. Once you reboot, the changes you made while in shadow mode are gone. I mostly use this to test system changes out, registry edits, and test software out. 5/5 stars.

Silly me, turning off Avast helped...

Ummmm...I'm not getting an installation, only activation without any software installing, why?
I REALLY want this program

Sorry - I know I'm being a pain - but I do want to know about the FAQ in the Shadow Defender web site. It says that "fast startup" must be disabled or changes made in SD will NOT be erased on the next reboot.

1) Is that a BIOS setting?
2) What if we are using UEFI?

I need to know because my various PCs run:
- XP SP3 32-bit (which I keep updated using the POS hack)
- Win 7 Pro 64-bit
- Win 10 Pro 64-bit version 1703
and all use Firefox (different versions between the XP and the others)

3) Also, I have one PC that is dual-booting the Win 7 Pro 64-bit and the Win 10 Pro 64-bit. Is that a problem? Shouldn't be, but who knows?

Thanks.

I have used and liked Deep Freeze which is very similar but this one looks very interesting.....

Two questions: (1) Can you go into and/or out of shadow mode without rebooting? and (2) I notice that in the Mode Setting window, if I uncheck any drives (I uncheck all but c:), if I click on any other menu item and click back to Mode Setting, the drive boxes I unchecked have been checked again. Is there any way to make my selection of drives "permanent"? I don't see a "Save" button...If not, how will I be sure that SD will only be applied to the drives I select?

Thank you!
KS

Changes from earlier Giveaway of version 14.0.648:
New: Supports Windows 10 Creators Update.
New: Setup.exe supports command argument: /silent /config:.
New: Some GUI changes.
New: Supports customized desktop tip icon.

How does this compare to toolwiz time freeze?
And, again, per the FAQ, does this product require a BIOS change NOT to do fast startup?

I have this...installed, already (presumably, from a previous giveawayoftheday) in a version indicated as...Version: 1.4.0.648. Question...one (anybody): is this install a newer version? Question two (since this one indicates "time-limited offer": while I'm finding...nothing as per previously-installed version having expired) was previous...version (anybody?) non-expiring? (Interesting thing--perhaps, ala commenter not wishing to be treading unknown waters so to speak--I'd never...USED this program, formerly? Thought it was a stay-in-the-background and "operate" program--learning differently, however? And, perhaps, will stick my...toe into unfamiliar "waters", later--this time?) Thanks for this...offering: sounds good (was good-enough to have installed, formerly), but, needing my "little grey cells" (beneath all...white "crown") to work with...it, really?

Assuming this works with the current (and latest Update) version of Windows 10, will this software be receiving Updates ?

If not, I would not be installing this, for with all the evil forced Windows updates, big and small, that invades your computer these days, if this software is not going to be updated after each of these major updates, it will surely start to malfunction.

I believe this question was asked by fran below as well, with no answer.

Where's the Publisher ? Would you mind giving everyone an answer to this essential question ?

GOTD offered version 1.4.0.648 last year. Is this the same version or a later one? I downloaded last year's offering and it installed without any problems on Windows 7. I have to admit that I was somewhat wary of using it and it was some time later before I did. However, it has worked flawlessly. It is a brilliant piece of software I wouldn't be without now. I haven't tried any other similar software from other developers so I can't say how it compares. However, I can say that I have never felt the need to try them as Shadow Defender covers all my requirements (at least at present).

Installed easily and passed a couple of tests I did on it.
When exiting shadow mode it says files are in use, but I can't see any that are, and presume it is refering to files within running background apps. I then get options to shut down or reboot (or cancel) at which point all changes are lost as expected. If I suspect I have changes that I want to keep I hit cancel then select the tab commit now to save them. At this point I would like to see a list of files that I have used in the current sesion and be able to select them rather than having to remember and search. Hence I am somewhat hesitant to use this on a regular basis due to the likelyhood I will forget and loose something I want and the time it takes to find and save files and it takes my PC a long time to reboot so I normally use sleep mode.

Perfect Thank you

where is program

I have used this app for a few years now, never a problem. Works as stated, Thank's GOTD.

Curious what others think about this program - please post your impressions.

I just looked at their website, and their FAQ says "disable fast startup" or the changes you make in Shadow Mode will NOT be discarded on reboot. Is this a BIOS setting?

I can see how Shadow Defender would enable you to discard an unwanted program. But if that program makes damaging changes to a data file (e.g. by encrypting the novel you've been writing for the past seven years, and saving those changes to disk), how is that handled?

I do use program every day for testing software of GOTD.
I start Win10-64 Pro and start this software in Shadowmode, just for the system-drive:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/j0nmydcehyxuvay/Werking.png?dl=0
Then I install the software of GOTD, even games of 1Gb.
99,9% will work fine.
And after restart, Win10 is just as before an installation.
BUT
Win10 will update automatic and that's not done: so instruct Win10 only to update on your command.
I only protect the system-drive, so I can save screen-shots on another drive and also results of a conversion of video etc.
And once I did try to install iTunes on another drive, G: under protection. There was a lot of iTunes in the common files on C:. After restart, a part of iTunes was vanished, C: and a part was still available, G:
That was a BIG mistake with a lot of trouble with reinstalling iTunes.
And when I like a GOTD-program, I restart Windows and reinstall it again without any protection.
I do have a laptop, that's fast and with a SSD, so a restart takes less then 1 minute.

Does the virtualization capability prevent any malware from escaping it and affecting the actual system? I used Avast's Sandbox mode to test the "undertale2ndquest.exe" executable, but it bypassed the virtualized sandbox and crushed my system regardless.

What does Shadow Defender ensure that other virtualization software does not?

More detailed recomended system requirements would be useful.

Can we forget talk about insecurities of XP if using Shadow Defender (installs fine)?.

Excellent software but Toolwiz TimeFreeze can do the same for FREE:

http://www.toolwiz.com/lead/toolwiz_time_freeze

Just to say.....

Hi, what about Updates for this particular Software given that this is GOTD Offer after all?? Surely it depends on close monitoring?

I still have this from the last time it was offered here. I use it all the time on my Win 10 laptop. Never had any problems. This is a great way to try out programs here that you are not sure off. If you don't like the program, just reboot and you are back where you started.

If it could have one feature added I would like the capability to retain any changes made while in shadow mode.

Thank you GOTD yeam and ShadowDefender.com.

This will not install on Vista.
7z setup SFX small has stopped working
whatever that is.

I wonder how does this affect the SSD drive?