Need advice on XP/Vista.What is the best free software (if any) to try new software without having them permanently writing to the registry and the OS? - The purpose is not security - like testing suspicious software, the purpose is to avoid left over after testing and removal.
I sometimes use sandboxie, but that’s not its real purpose. Installation will also fail if the app needs to hook into other applications (unless to change the security setting), it will also fail if the app needs to reboot to finalize the installation.
I have heard of Retunil, it is free but I am not sure if it will install successful when a software needs to reboot? What do you think?
I have installed Virtual Box, but then I have to install a fresh copy of XP/Vista + driver and it needs ACTIVATION, so it seems quite a burden since I only have one retail OS version. Can I actually install my OS on a virtual box on the same machine and re-activated a second time (I have little concern about the legal perspective, I just want to know if it is feasible or not?)
If there is nothing else than a paid solution, shoot! I remember of Deep Freeze, but I am not sure if it is Vista compatible or any better than Returnil for the simple purpose of installing, testing, removing new software.
Thanks to all to share your advice and experience.
free one :-TU
well, i only tried it to test what a malware can do to my machine 88)
some say that not all application/software can 100% works in virtual environment.
Here`s something you could try with virtualbox to enable you not to have to activate(allthough if it is just for testing you have 30 days anyway. Then you can just wipe the box and start again)
In windows find C:\Windows\system32\wpa.dll and wpa.bak(this may not be there)…copy that file to an external usb or other portable media.
2.Decline the activation request at the end of the install procedure and restart XP
3.During boot-up press F8 to enter safe-mode and choose option-minimal
4.Rename wpa.dbl and wpa.bak to wpadbl.new and wpabak.new
5.Copy the original wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files from portable media to the system32 folder
6.Re-start
This can be used on XP but is known to sometimes work and sometimes not so there is no guarantee it will work.Worth a try though, it has worked for me on a re-format before.
Matt
p.s. You can re-activate a second time from the same machine but you may end up having to call m$
Also give REVO a try. When uninstalling use the “Adavnced” setting and it clears a lot of leftovers.
Plus maybe take a look at Comodo diskshield or backup
I am trying Returnil. That’s close of what I am looking for. Sandboxie is application orientated, while Returnil is system orientated. down side: the reboot after each session lock + it does not work when an application needs to install drivers and reboot.
system restore takes snapshots or the registry. basically you should create a restore point before installing, them removing the app (or you will have left over), then roll-back. Not suitable for me on a regular use.
Thanks for Returnil
Hi Matty_R,
Thanks for the TIP. I guess I will go for a virtual box, since my purpose is mainly testing new software. I can do a full install and I am not limited to test it along a single session as it is the case in Returnil (reboot = clean state)
In my case it will be XP over XP or Vista over Vista (sure if I have time, I will try Linux). Do you have any experience with the same configuration M$ host and M$ virtual (the same OS)? Once again, it is to test the software, not even different OS.
I was thinking at Virtual PC 2007 at first since it is native M$, then VMware, but that’s too expensive and maybe feature rich for my need. Then came Virtual Box. It seems the designated choice for Linux users or maybe Windows users runing Linux in a vm. What about using xp and xp with virtual box vs virtual PC? Any input?
I keep this link in my bookmark. thanks. It is the choice of a good friend of mine, the name was familiar. I am using Acronis True Image. I guess some function are similar, feel free to comment about it. I will go deeper with the documentation http://www.horizondatasys.com/217905.ihtml and give it a 30 day trial anytime soon. 70$ is not cheap for a software, so it will be either this one either a the future release of Acronis TI.
I have seen this page here and there, but I usually I purchase using the software web site directly. Well, when it is possible (e.g. you cannot purchase an English Vista DVD if you are not US resident with a US credit card on the M$ page. The same worth with the Electronic: I cannot buy a notebook in English through Amazon and have it delivered where I am located. They are some protection laws between countries, and it is a pain when you are an expatriate).
Do you have experience using bitsdujour with a few soft purchase? Thanks.
BTW, revo is good and there is a portable version. I use ZSoft Software: Software Details: ZSoft Uninstaller 2.5 the beta version 2.5 (available on the forum). You can take an image of the system before and after installing a software and then delete it. That’s a great feature. Revo is good to remove the left over and doing some cleaning stuff. If ZSoft keeps being developed, it s going my removal software of choice when it is officially vista compatible.
I was a bit worry about SPAM or some kind of trick (e.g. to finalize your purchase and to benefit of our discount you need to buy/try 2 additional software, etc.) but since your made a positive comment, I am going to try this web site :-TU
Not free but cheap