dotTech Promo: Free 1 year license of Returnil System Safe Pro 2011! [72-hours only]
December 17, 2010 130
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Update: This promotion is now over. Sorry to those that missed it! To avoid missing promotions in the future, consider subscribing to dotTech: RSS Feed | E-mail | Twitter | Facebook.
Knock, knock. Who’s there? Returnil. Returnil, who? Returnil System Safe Pro 2011, that’s who!
Last year dotTech joined forces with Returnil to bring everyone 1 year license of Return Virtual System Home Lux 2010 for free. This year we are doing it again; except this time around it is with Returnil System Safe Pro 2011, the successor of Returnil Virtual System Home Lux 2010.
Before I go into the details of how to take advantage of this freebie, let me talk a little bit about Returnil products for the benefit of the very few that don’t know already. Returnil offers a unique security solution via their various different products; their software protects computers in an unorthodox – but effective – manner. They use a powerful combination of anti-virus, anti-malware, and a virtual system to protect your computer from all types of viruses and unwanted system changes. The traditional security software like avast!, Avira, AVG, Kaspersky, Norton, McAfee, NOD32, etc. actively, and on demand, detect and remove infected files. Returnil products, on the other hand, use a two-pronged offensive against the malware problem:
- Virtual System – Returnil products creates a “virtual copy” of your main system partition (the partition which you have Windows installed) and whatever changes are made to your computer are dumped when you restart your computer (there are opinions to tweak how it does that, but generally speaking, that is how it works).
- Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware – Returnil products also includes the traditional anti-virus/anti-malware live protection and on-demand scanning features.
Because of this two-pronged approach which incorporates traditional and innovative protection capabilities, if used properly, a user can keep his/her computer 100% clean with Returnil products. If you desire more detailed information, feel free to read dotTech’s full review on Returnil Virtual System 2010 Home Lux.
You may notice I keep referring to “Returnil products”, as opposed to just Returnil System Safe Pro 2011. The reason for this is Returnil has different versions of its software – each having a different mix of features – depending on the type of user you are (both of the following charts created by Returnil):
Home Users
Business, Public Access & Education Users
As you can see from the chart, there is an always free version for home users, Returnil System Safe Free 2011. Returnil System Safe Pro 2011, on the other hand, would typically cost you almost $40… but for a limited time you can get it for free! These are the features of Returnil System Safe Pro 2011, as per the developer:
To get a 1 year license of Returnil System Safe Pro 2011 for free, follow these simple directions:
Version being given out for free: v3.2.10853.5462-REL7
Free updates: Yes, for one year
Supported OS: Windows XP and higher
Download size: 34.7 MB
Giveaway limitation: This freebie is for non-commercial use only.
Giveaway time-frame: This giveaway ends 24:00 PST December 19, 2010. After December 19, 2010 you will no longer be able to grab the 1 year license. Also note that while you should be able to activate the license whenever you want, the license has no shelf-life – it will expire on December 18, 2011 regardless of if you use it or not.
- Fill out the the following form (note all data via the following form goes to Returnil, not dotTech):
NOTE: This promotion is available to everyone (for non-commercial use); however this is a dotTech.org promotion. Please do not directly link to the following form. Rather, if you want to share this offer with others, provide a permalink (alternatives link) to this article. Thanks!
[iframe https://spreadsheets.google.com/a/returnil.com/embeddedform?formkey=dHJBMW5tWmRxdVplbkphR0dRdEFRLUE6MQ 500px 780px]
- Once you submit the form, you should be given a license code:
Copy the license code – you will need it soon.
- Download and install Returnil System Safe 2011.
- After installation, you will be asked to restart your computer; restart your computer.
- After your computer has restarted, run Returnil System Safe 2011 and register it using the serial number you were given earlier:
Take note that if you don’t register it you will be using Returnil System Safe Free 2011, which is always available for free but doesn’t have as many features as Returnil System Safe Pro 2011.
- Finish the initial setup.
- After the initial setup has finished, look at the bottom left of Returnil System Safe’s main program window. If it says (registration request pending)…
… you need to wait a few minutes while Returnil’s registration servers recognize your registration. When your registration is recognized you will get a popup message telling you so and the bottom left corner should say Registered Pro version:
Once it says Registered version, you are good to go!
Take note, your initial registration may fail if you did not do it properly. (It took me two times to properly register.) If the bottom left corner says Free version that means your registration failed and you will not be able to use the Returnil System Safe Pro features. If this happens to you, click on Register and try to register the program again. Make sure you don’t include any spaces after the registration code and use the same name and e-mail address you used when filling out the registration form earlier.
- Enjoy!
- (Optional) As a way of thanking Returnil for this freebie, please provide them with feedback regarding their software in the comments below. Feedback can be anything including but not limited to bugs fixes, desired features, desired changes, ways to improve the program, input on the current price, etc.
If you have any trouble getting 1 year of Returnil System Safe Pro 2011 for free, post below and other dotTechies or I will try to help.
About the author: Ashraf View all posts by Ashraf
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@Vernon Grapes: It doesn’t seem to conflict with my Comcast version of Norton (essentially identical to Norton 360 v.4)
As to the quality of its antivirus, I’ve seen only one review of Returnil’s AV here
http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/rap-index.xml
It performed on a par with Norton in their “reactive” test (I’m guessing signature based) and waaay below most other programs (about the bottom third). The “proactive” results (I’m guessing heuristics/cloud) were *much* better; placing it in about the top 25-30%.
The Norton results were surprisingly low and disagreed with just about every other test. I suspect Norton was punished here for false positives.
So, is it worth adding? While it doesn’t slow things down (at least for me) by much, it IS much more complicated than Sandboxie or the Avast/Kaspersky solution. In the past (and likely the future) I’ve preferred just keeping an uptodate disk image (from Paragon) and re-imaging rather than sandboxing things but I guess I’ll give this a try (again). Tried it once before and didn’t like it much; maybe they’ve changed or maybe I have.
First off, thankyou dotTech for another great givaway.
I am having the same issues as a lot of the other members. A lot of the program’s features prompt for license registration, even though it states in the program that it is registered. I did do a scan and it found malware, however when I click the “Repair” button, a pop-up window appears and states:
“Thank you for using Returnil System Safe 2011!
Please click on “Purchase Online” to obtain a new license or press “cancel” if you wish to continue using the commercial version”
Then there is a box to enter a license number.
I have registered the software correctly. In fact, I even registered with their company when prompted at installation and received an e-mail stating that it was registered.
The E-mail stated the following:
“Dear user,
Thank you for registering your copy of Returnil System Safe 2011.”
Then it prompted to follow a link which I did to confirm registration. After clicking the link I recieved the message :
“Thank you for confirming your registration. Your client product is now successfully activated.”
In the program itself it states it is the commercial version. When you go to the bottom left-hand corner of the start page of the program, it says registered then there is a link to details. After clicking on “details” it states:
Status: Active
Type: Field is blank
License:Returnil System Safe Pro 2011 -promo-dtotTech – 1-0365
Owner: dotTech.org Giveaway
Expiration: 12/17/2011
I even tried registering the program a second time to ensure I did it correctly, and I get the message:
“Thank you for confirming your registration. Your client product is now successfully activated”
So I am certain the program was registered correctly.
I really hope someone can figure out what the issue is here. The program does us little good if it will not quarantine and remove malware/spyware that is finds and limits the use of it’s features. It seems more like a free version of the program.
If you look closely at the graphics on this site, you’ll see that Ashraf’s copy didn’t have the system restore option enabled either.
Apparently, they’re just foolin’ when they claimed that this was the System Safe version.
Personally, I find that reprehensible behavior on Returnil’s part and it is clear that they’re doing this only to entice upgrades, since the whole point of this software is the system restore function. I can’t blame them for not wanting to give away the store, but they shouldn’t lie to us.
Returnil is on death-row on my system because of this fraud. I haven’t executed it yet, but I’m getting the gas chamber cranked up and am not likely to be taking any last-minute calls from the Governor (you probably have to be American to understand this analogy, come to think of it.).
The LAST time I dealt with this company (the last promotion) it kept losing my registration and now this? Hard to believe that they thought lying to prospective customers was a good thing, isn’t it?
@Dudu Z:
i noticed this i uninstalled and tried again with same result it says i have a registered version but you are not allowed all the operating features which pro version allows
I apologize for posting a second time, but I also noticed something interesting. Even though it says registered and when you click on details that the license is Returnil System Safe Pro 2011 -promo-dtotTech – 1-0365, if you start up the program and click on the status button on the left hand side of the program, it states:
License Status
Type: Free
So we are having conflicts. Even though it says commercial at the top of the program and at the bottom says it is the registered version and on details it says it’s the Pro version, when you click on the status button it says License Type Free.
Something is definitely amiss.
@blue: This is not a scam; Returnil is not trying to fool us. All the Pro features should be and will be working. Returnil are a very truthworthy company that has worked with dotTech before. This is a mistake/bug that will be fixed. I have already e-mailed them about and so have others. Please just be a little patient; they are based in Europe and it is night there; so they may be a little slow to reply. We have over two days to solve this issue – don’t worry. If needed, we can extend the giveaway.
@Everyone: I have already contacted Returnil about the Pro features not being activated and am awaiting a response from them. They are based in Europe so there is a response delay caused by the different timezones. Rest assured these issues will be solved. Please be patient. I will update when I hear from them.
It isn’t fair to just blame Returnil. It is partly my mistake also; I should have made sure all the features are working before posting about this promotion.
Thank you for sharing! I too am a regular.
Returnil – Win7 x64 – Features limitations are the same as with David. I too wrote Returnil (Topic = Problem) and am awaiting a reply.
Everest – Downloaded and filled out for registration (successful) but never received registration. Checked spam (nothing) tried again and was refused a second email – already sent message.
Hello.
Congratulations for the return of this wonderful website!
Last September “GOTD” had proposed this program (Product Version 3.2.10351.5418-REL3) . License “pro” & Expiration date : 30/03/2011.
In your opinion, should I uninstall this version before installing this one today?
I think I should do … But as you know, there is no technical support with GOTD softs….
In recent years, I use this software (on XP or Vista) and I like it. It has become essential!
Very few bugs.It’s close to genius ;)
After reading the preceding comments, I still hesitate to uninstall the old version. I await your precious advice…
Thanks for your help :)
Returnil pro registered on win7-64.
Did all email registrations and confirmations.
The last thing I did was to reguest upgrade and inputting registration code again in required field.
Connection with server and shortly thereafter my pro versjon was registerd.
Thank You !
From red to green
@Everyone: Returnil e-mailed me back. Someone accidently flipped the wrong switch at their end. It has been fixed now. All Pro features work now. Anyone that has has already registered needs to reregister using the same serial code given earlier:
1) Click on “Details” at the bottom left.
2) Click on “I have a valid license number for this product”
3) Enter the license code.
4) Feel out step 2 (the bottom half – the name and e-mail)
5) Hit “Register”
6) Wait.
7) Profit.
Once again let me apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused!
Hello Asraf, I must have done something wrong or it’s my laptop, have been trying to delete Returnil, Tried a lot of things, searched al over the net and Returnil is back again.
Can you please advise me how to delete this?
Normally everything works fine, but this product not, well you can’t have it all.
Awaiting your reply I hope.
Rianne
@mizzRianne: I have installed’uninstalled’reinstalled Returnil multiple times in the past – I have had no problem. What exactly is your problem? I suggest you e-mail Returnil about it (support [at] returnil [dot] com) and see if they can pinpoint the issue.
Thank you for the offer but what happens after the one year expiration? I will stick with Wondershare Time Freeze I got from GAOTD. It was free too and it doesn’t expire. If Returnil was serious about giving some thing away they would give it with no strings attached. I know they have some AV installed. Most people already have AV on their system and disable the Returnil AV. Don’t get me wrong this is great software now… not so great next year
the problem as been rectified on mine now after i emailed them it now says pro
Thanx for this fantastic program……
@brenda78: Hey Brenda,next Christmas there will likely be another 12 month freebie.I’ve been using this since 2008 and never had to pay for it.
@Kiwidave: Just to clarify, these promotions just happen to be in December by chance. They have nothing to do with particular holidays like Christmas. Coincidence is all. :-)
Hi all,
For those experiencing issues with the License not unlocking the premium features, all should be sorted now. Simply wait for a period of time or re-register your client copy and all should work as expected. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season.
Mike
Returnil Support
@brenda78
“Thank you for the offer but what happens after the one year expiration? ”
Mike: The copy will revert to the free version when the license period has expired.
“If Returnil was serious about giving some thing away they would give it with no strings attached.”
Mike: We are serious about our solutions and mission to provide true, long-term security for our users and customers. Perpetual licensing in and of itself is a dead-end and leads to a myopic focus on revenue generation at the expense of development and product support. A subscription model ensures that we have the resources available to grow with our customer base and allows us to provide top-notch technical support into the future. With the one-time purchase and forever licensing approach, eventually the number of users outstrips the company’s resources and usually ends up with an abandoned or poorly supported product later in life. We are in this for the long haul and view product quality and support as top priorities for a successful future for both ourselves and our customer base.
@mizzRianne
“…I must have done something wrong or it’s my laptop, have been trying to delete Returnil, Tried a lot of things, searched al over the net and Returnil is back again.”
Mike: Is the Virtual Mode deactivated? To check, go to Virtual Mode > Virtual Mode always on section > Start Virtual Mode when I start Windows option. Make sure this is unchecked and then restart the computer. The Virtual Mode should now be released. If for any reason this does not release the virtualization, please open a support ticket where we can assist you further: support (dash) tech (at) returnil (dot) com and include the following files:
The rvs3 and rvs3.inst files in the following folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\all users\application data\returnil\rvs3\log
Note: though the path is formatted for Windows XP, it will also work in Vista and Win 7. Simply open a Windows Explorer Window and then copy/paste the path into the address bar and the LOG folder should open with the requested files. Also, please include a MSINFO32 report:
MSINFO32 report (how to): Click START > RUN > Type MSINFO32. On the System Information screen click FILE > Export and then save the file where you can find it to attach to your e-mail.
Mike
@Returnil_MikeW:
thanks Mike from returnil support with all the features running this is superb software it runs perfectly alongside my antivirus and firewall
thanks Ashraf for this excellent giveaway and all the Returnil team also
@Ashraf: Thanks Ashraf. I knew it must be something like this because I was sure you hadn’t picked a bad apple. Mine has been fixed now as well. all the features seem to be working properly as they should now.
@brenda78 and @Returnil_MikeW: It also should be pointed out that Returnil offers a freeware version for home users. Sure the freeware version may not have as many features as the paid version – that is the point of the freemium model – but it still has the main protection components of virtual system and anti-malware/anti-spyware. That is a lot more than most companies offer, especially considering that Returnil has to pay licensing fees on the anti-malware/anti-spyware database they use, which is included in their freeware version.
While I am sure some people may disagree with me, but I appreciate the freemium model Returnil operates under.
@chinaguy: No problem. Glad to hear it works now.
@Ashraf:
Hi Ashraf,
True, and thank your for the clear explanation. One point to bring up here is the fact that only part of the Virus Guard is licensed. The other part is our own machine learning and Artificial Intelligence engine that provides Cloud based updates to both the Pro and Free versions based on the analysis of suspicious behavior and files submitted through the data collection policy of those users participating.
Pro users get first priority at the server download queue for Cloud updates, but all are served in time and we work hard to make sure the wait is as short as possible in heavy traffic situations for the freeware users. The vast majority of the multiple daily updates delivered come from our own technology and research so subscriptions help resource more than just a simple licensing approach.
Mike
ok?I see?