is there any way to get a trial version key off your computer?

Question

here's the deal - my brother had this computer and used the trial version of a program for 30 days. now i want to use the same version, to try it out, but it keeps saying that the trial version has expired. how do i get this info off my computer? how does it recognize me?

Answer 1

serialcoyote is right. The programme probably installed a registry key that tells when it was first installed, and I would not recommend picking through the registry unless you really know what you are doing.

Did you try changing the date on your computer? Might work... might not. It is worth a shot. Set it back to sometime when the trial period was still good... change it back after you exit the programme. Kind of a hassle, but if it works, hey.

What programme is it?

Answer 2

You would need to know where the software has stored thetrial expiration flag on your computer. This will probably be in the Registry somewhere. Once you find it you just need to remove it.
However, making changes in the Registry can seriously damage your Operating System if you do not know what you are doing. If you do not understand the workings of the registry you should leave it alone and only make changes in the registry when directed to by Technical Support from you computer manufacturer or Microsoft, and after a back-up has been made. If you choose to make changes to registry without the assistance of Technical Support, you do so at your own risk and may make your Operating System inoperable.

The other way is to format your hard drive and re-install your operating system.

Answer 3

It doesnt recong you, it just recong the computer its been installed on, finding the reg-key would be difficult, so your better off buying it.

If all trial 30 day software can be extended, whos going to buy it ?