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NirSoft's RunAsDate is a small, free tool that lets you run applications using a different time and date stamp than your Windows system, yet without changing your Windows system time. It can change the date and time of multiple programs running simultaneously, each with different time and date settings. We can think of several reasons for wanting to do that (debugging log files, for example) so in any case, it's a useful capability to have around. However, it's not designed to extend shareware trial periods, which use different means of keeping track of such things.
Both 32-bit and 64-bit downloads of RunAsDate are available; neither will run 16-bit DOS programs, though. We saved this portable freeware to a regular directory, but you can save it on a USB drive and run it on any compatible Windows machine, if you prefer. The program's interface is hardly bigger than a music player. It has three entry fields, Application to run, Parameters, and Create Desktop Shortcut, plus a Date/Time field with pop-out calendar and time spinner. The program offers check boxes for two options, Move the time forward according to the real time, which is selected by default, and Immediate Mode, which changes the date immediately when the program starts. The Immediate Mode substitutes the altered date and time as soon as a program's kernel starts loading instead of waiting for it to fully load. That prevents some programs from receiving the real system date and time before RunAsDate can change it. We had limited success with Immediate Mode, which can cause some programs to crash, especially if they're written in .NET. There's no Help file, but the program's Web site contains useful information, instructions, version history, and more.
RunAsDate is supereasy to use. We browsed to a popular freeware system information utility that displays the system time and date on its interface and selected its executable (you can enter the path in the Parameters field if you prefer). Next we changed the time and date using the Date/Time controls. When we were ready, we pressed Run. The program started with the altered time and date displayed. Not every program we tried responded to RunAsDate, and we had better luck with the 32-bit version than the 64-bit download. Still, the download is another unique and useful tool from NirSoft.
Publisher's Description
From NirSoft Freeware:
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. 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.
What's new in this version: Version 1.20 has added 'Return to the current date/time after xx seconds' option.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 15 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Great! I need this!"
Version: RunAsDate 1.11
Pros
Refills Trials!
Cons
This utility does not work with 64-bit programs. Be very careful! It may cause issues.
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"Very useful program"
Version: RunAsDate 1.10
Pros
Runs from the commandline.
Cons
No cons detected
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"Best Program Ever"
Version: RunAsDate 1.10
Pros
Everything about this program is a pro it works everytime like a charm you can even set dates years back i did it to one program that had a 30 day trial and now i have a 6994 day trial
Cons
none that i have came to so far
Summary
if you want a great program to run trials forever download RUNASDATE
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"An incredible program."
Version: RunAsDate 1.10
Pros
ease of use
Cons
having to reset it every time you use it.
Summary
I love this little program. I use a fractal software that has been in the beta stage for years. Different people have upgraded it and some of the upgrades time out. Using RunAsDate enables me to use earlier versions of this software. There are many fractal artists that use th is program for that reason.
It isn't complicated in any way. Just looking at it a person can tell what to do to make it work. It is software that I hope will continue to be updated.
The only thing I dislike is the fact that you have to reset the date each time you use it. Sometimes the fractal program I use will just close on its own. Then to use the fractal program again, one has to reset the date.
Considering what a great little program RunAsDate is, it is a very slight inconvenience, I would recommend this program to others. Well, actually I already have. -
"easy to use"
Version: RunAsDate 1.10
Pros
usefully.I like it
Cons
not yet, I mean give it time
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"Great software super !"
Version: RunAsDate 1.10
Pros
Work's great recommend it to anyone !
Cons
Nothing bad to say about this software right on .
Summary
Work's Great .
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"Great piece of software!"
Version: RunAsDate 1.10
Pros
Straight forward, compact and easy to use, not complaints.
Cons
None at this time.
Summary
Should be in everyones collection!
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"Fantastic *****"
Version: RunAsDate 1.10
Pros
It works great recommend it to anyone
Cons
nothing not 1 bad thing.
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"Doesn't work!"
Version: RunAsDate 1.10
Pros
none I an see.
Cons
I can't get this application to work at all.
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"Be afraid...very afraid!"
Version: RunAsDate 1.05
Pros
The only good thing about this utility is the concept itself. Other than that, there's nothing great about it.
Cons
This utility does not work with 64-bit programs. Be very careful! It may cause issues.
Summary
In short, I would not bother with this one if you plan on using it with 64-bit programs in an effort to "bypass" any trial periods, etc. It will not work.
