How to Extend / Reset Trial Period of Software

Development of Software takes time and money. And it is right, when the software developers expect money in return of their efforts in the development of software.

Most of the commercial software use two mechanisms for generating revenues.

First, they make a stripped down version of their software and make it available for free download. This version has some limited features, and provides the users only a glimpse of what is available in the full paid version of the software.

The second method is to make a trial version software. These trail software versions are generally full in functionality and features, but can be used only for a certain period, say one month. After that trial period, you will either have to extend or reset the trial period by purchasing a license or discontinue the use of that trial software.

How to Extend  / Reset Trial Period of Software

Earlier people use to adjust the system clock so as to confuse the demo software about the actual date. But such methods do not work anymore.

However, there is one useful utility, which can do the trick. This is RunAsDate from NirSoft.

RunAsDate is a small utility that allows you to run a program in the date and time that you specify. This utility doesn’t change the current system date and time of your computer, but it only injects the date/time that you specify into the desired application.

So the trick is, just download and start using the trial version software. Continue using it till the time of expiry of the validity of trial period. Just before that date, stop using the trial software directly.

For extending the trial period, use RunAsDate to launch the trial software, every time you have to use the software. Use a date, which is earlier than the expiry date. RunAsDate will confuse the software about the present date, and you can enjoy the software. You can run multiple applications simultaneously, each application works with different date and time, while the real date/time of your system continues to run normally.

Remember, this process will not actually extend or resent trial period of the software, but it is only a workaround to allow you to continue using the trial version.

Here is a video clip from YouTube (no sound), which shown you this tool in operation.

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purpose only and is not meant to harm anybody’s commercial interest. Use you own discretion to apply this trick.

[Download RunAsDate]