CNET Editors' review
The premise behind this free utility that complements your PC's security system is interesting, but we ran into some glitches while working during its protection sessions.
Our introduction to the Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition was a very slow installation, which is understandable, because the software creates a new partition on the systems hard drive. It's essentially a mirror of the system that acts as an isolated work environment that protects your actual system by preventing downloads and such from accessing it. Instead, anything created in this pocket of your drive--this virtual partition--is erased when you reboot.
The utility adds an icon to the system tray and a small Returnil bar, always on top, near the top of the monitor screen. Clicking the bar lets you configure the utility's settings and open or close the virtual partition. However, doing so isn't as simple as running a basic DOS shell, because turning Returnil's protection on or off requires the system to reboot. This is a minor speed bump if you're working with potentially destructive software or visiting Web sites that may attempt to load malware, but it certainly slows productivity.
We also encountered two problems. First, while booting up, Windows Explorer would shut down and relaunch, slowing the entire launch cycle. Second, when our Internet browser displayed a pop-up alert, any open tabs other than the active tab would spontaneously close. There weren't any settings to correct this frustrating behavior. While we liked the concept of this utility, there are some bugs that need to get worked out before we can recommend it.
Publisher's Description
From Returnil:
The Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition provides an altogether different and highly complimentary level of defense. It is designed to protect your computer from all types of software, downloads, websites or anything else that might harbor viruses, spyware and other malicious programs. Returnil virtualization technology clones a computers System Partition and boots the PC into this system rather than native Windows, allowing you run your applications in a completely isolated environment. Hence the session and all activity, malicious or otherwise, will happen in the virtual environment, not in the real PC environment. If the PC is attacked or gets infected, all you need to do is to simply reboot the PC to erase all changes. After reboot, the system will be restored to its original state, as if nothing ever happened. All of this without sacrificing computer performance or usability while helping to reduce technical support intervention and the need for routine maintenance.
Version 2 includes Protection and Virtual Partition engine quality improvements, redesigned, intuitive, and more mature User Interface, third party Virtual Partition access control, choice between Memory and Disk caching, easier access to the System File and Folder Relocation Tool.
What's new in this version: Version 2 includes Protection and Virtual Partition engine quality improvements, redesigned, intuitive, and more mature User Interface, third party Virtual Partition access control, choice between Memory and Disk caching, easier access to the System File and Folder Relocation Tool.
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All versions:
3.5 starsout of 109 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 30 votes
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My rating:
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"It's a perfect safeguard for my computer"
Version: Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition 2
Pros
First, it is effective to protect my system from being attacked; Second, it dose not take up too much memory space; third, the operation interface is easy to be understand for people who are not familiar with advanced software.
Cons
There is no function to find virus and delete it, but analyses behavior of system. Thus, if my computer have been affected by virus, there is no methord to save my system,
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"one good piece"
Version: Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition 2
Pros
i installed it last night and found it a good piece for me.the last week my pc was almost damaged totally by trojans and virtuses.then i reinstalled the operation system,and this returnil editon.find that it now works smoothly .
Cons
a point that i could't easily find a Chinese edition,a little troublesome.
Summary
oh my god..i find the chinese editon,just when you install if please choose the ????,then it is ok~~yeah~
Updated on Nov 27, 2008
Updated on Nov 27, 2008...just cant print the chinese character and use "????"instead.actually i find the chinese edition. -
"Did not work for me"
Version: Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition 2
Pros
The program did free up some ram memory
Cons
Did not work well will my resident low ram
Summary
I did not like to program because it slowed down my system.
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"Works as advertised but needs more functionality."
Version: Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition 2
Pros
The virtual shell that this program provides can be a life saver.
Cons
The program blocks automatic updates for Windows and your other security software while activated.
Summary
I love the concept behind this program. Wielded correctly it can be a very useful tool to prevent malware from being installed and allows a "safety net" also while testing new software applications.
Unfortunately, while this program is activated any software on your system set for auto updates will not be updated. This is a pain and definitely affects productivity. Even worse, if you overlook this issue and use the virtual shell for an extended period, once you boot the computer out of the shell your security software(anti-virus, firewall, anti-spy etc.) and Windows will not be updated which increases your chance of being infected with malware or exploited otherwise, until the updates are received. Updating your security software in this manner is not a big deal unless you are a user without broadband, in that case you would be forced to spend an enormous amount of time updating.
It would be nice to be able to choose which download or system changes to allow. I really like this program but can not give it an excellent rating because of the opinions mentioned above which actually aggravate system security for a small window of time. A small window of time is all that is needed in some attacks. -
"Great application."
Version: Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition 2
Pros
Easy to use and great idea to keep your PC completely free of viruses. It takes few minutes to understand the software, but once you do, you will see the logic behind this application.
Cons
It misses few features, but I am sure the Returnil guys know what they are. I have sent them my feedback. I know the paid version has some of them, for example, save/ delete all changes after reboot of the PC.
Summary
This applications does exactly what it says. It is a great add-on to my existing security arsenal. Once you understand the logic behind this application, you will find it as a very useful application. I use the Virtual Partition to save all files and everything else outside this partition will be wiped after I restart the PC. Thus my PC is always running in the clean state. This is a great idea. Congratulations Returnil Team. I am looking for your new releases.
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"Great security software"
Version: Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition 2
Pros
free version!
provides great security - any changes made in the system partition will be gone on rebootCons
none, it works great
Summary
I did not encounter any bugs when running it and you can turn the protection on until reboot without a reboot - the review is outdated
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"Not bad at all!"
Version: Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition 2
Pros
-Great for testing programs.
-Even if you disable the startup in msconfig, the effect of on or off still works(if you have it on, even if it doesn't start up, it still works)
-great security programCons
-Because I don't have it load on startup, this one day I had a report due... Saved it, shut down, came back, and @%$#!!! forgot I had it on.
-A little GlitchySummary
-Great for testing programs/public computers (ex. Libraries/Schools).
-Has room for improvement.
-The concept itself has a few flaws, but I don't see how they can be solved. -
"Beware damaging your hardrive"
Version: Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition 2
Pros
Very nice concept and eye caching. Works nicely generally without a glitch. Turned it on when playing web based games. Used it for about 2 months. It worked as it says.
Cons
Somehow messes up your system.
Summary
I had to reformat my hard disk twice. Then I had to replace the hard disk on a new computer using Vista. Somehow it messed up my original system files and or partitions. There is no reason i could think off except a conflict between the newly created system partition and "native" partition, probably triggered by a downloaded program or game.
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"useless program"
Version: Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition 2
Pros
all system changes are protected.
Cons
the biggest problem is that nothing is saved in a session and it does not give you the option to save or let certain events be saved. Also to turn it off you have to reboot.
Summary
more functionality would greatly be appreciated. A log of changes you can look at would be nice. not having to reboot would also be great.
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"I hate it when companies review their own product."
Version: Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition 2
Pros
I have no complaints about the product itself.
Cons
It's so easy to spot when a company reviews it's own products. Let's see.
Mostly 5 star reviews.
Easy to spot the fake reviews from the real ones.
High approval of positive reviews.
Positive reviews are almost all glowing, without a cons sectionSummary
When will the software companies wise up and stop planting positive reviews of their own product. It immediately causes me to be very wary of their products.
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