The unofficial Shadow Defender Support Thread.

Discussion in 'sandboxing & virtualization' started by Cutting_Edgetech, Feb 14, 2011.

  1. Martin Kruse

    Martin Kruse Registered Member

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    It must detect SD (and possibly products like it) as a problem. I will probably try a trial of Deep Freeze and see if it does the same thing.
     
  2. sdmod

    sdmod Shadow Defender Expert

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    Re Riot on pc see here
     
  3. Overkill

    Overkill Registered Member

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    Does anyone have an older version of SD? The latest and last 3 or 4 I can tell a difference on my machine like it hangs sometimes.
     
  4. Triple Helix

    Triple Helix Specialist

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    Which one would you like? Or do you want them all? I can send you a link via PM!

    2020-06-17_12-05-51.png
     
  5. Overkill

    Overkill Registered Member

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    Just what I have been looking for! Should I start with SD1.4.0.608_Setup.exe? Cause the 3 or 4 latest versions tend to freeze my desktop somewhat
     
  6. Overkill

    Overkill Registered Member

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    Is that every version ever made? I'll take all just as a backup. Thanks
     
  7. Krabbath

    Krabbath Registered Member

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    I visited SD's homepage, and I am a bit worried because the website is unprotected (no https) and seems rather abandoned than maintained. There are no MD5/SHA1/SHA256/SHA512 hashes mentioned for the installation file. Information about the developer is missing as well as a change log for the latest version. A purchase transaction would be processed by 2Checkout/Avangate from Amsterdam, belonging to an American company: None of these service providers is known to me.

    I'm looking for a software that allows for more comprehensive virtualizations in a simple way; on Windows 10 Professional I had the native Windows Sandbox available for this purpose, which is unfortunately missing on my Windows 10 home computer.

    My boot drive is an SSD. Assuming that Shadow Defender can handle this kind of drive, I will probably at least test SD.
     
  8. sdmod

    sdmod Shadow Defender Expert

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    @Krabbath

    From my own experience I used Avantage with no problems when buying Shadow Defender. That was some time ago and I haven't had anything related bad happen subsequently.
    I'm not sure what other member's experiences have been.
    I don't use an SSD as main drive yet but I believe that Shadow Defender works with it.
    The only thing with Windows 10 is that Shadow Defender developer tells us that we must disable hybrid boot, fast startup, fast boot as the system does not really close down completely and Shadow Defender does not work with that.

    Explanation here

    and from Shadow Defender's own page

    '
    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q : Why Shadow Mode works only if I restart the computer, If I shut down the computer, all changes remain after reboot.
    Fast startup is turned on by default in Windows 8/10. When it is turned on, Windows will take hibernation instead of shut down, so after reboot all changes will remain. To discard all changes made in shadow mode after shut down, please disable fast startup.'

    Patrick


     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2020
  9. aldist

    aldist Registered Member

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    SD works with SSD.
     
  10. imdb

    imdb Registered Member

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    i'd say stay away from sd, as windows 10 is a constantly updated os. sd's rarely updated as you noted. otoh, avangate is a secure and trusted payment platform.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2020
  11. stapp

    stapp Global Moderator

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    No problems here with SD and Win 10.
    I use SD quite a bit.
     
  12. Acadia

    Acadia Registered Member

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    Yes, Shadow Defender definitely works with SSD's, just make sure you kill the Windows Quick Start feature. What I do is check for Windows updates as soon as my system boots up every morning. Then, if no updating, I turn on Shadow Defender. Then I immediately enable Win Update Stop to kill any MS updating that might come thru later in the day. I don't even need to disable Win Update Stop the next day because I was in Shadow Mode when I enable it ... it is automatically disabled when I reboot.:cool:
    Acadia
     
  13. Quassar

    Quassar Registered Member

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  14. Osaban

    Osaban Registered Member

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    SD 1.4.0.680 works perfectly with an SSD and Win10. Actually I would suggest to switch to an SSD if one uses SD very often, as reboot times out of shadow mode are the same as normal reboots (With a traditional hard drive, rebooting out of shadow mode would take between 1 and 2 minutes, whereas with an SSD it takes 20 seconds).

    I agree it is better to disable 'fast startup' to avoid any possible inconsistencies, although I don't, as 'fast startup' does not affect SD if one exits shadow mode using SD's GUI. Furthermore 'fast startup' does not affect a restart.

    In my experience the only thing I would not recommend doing with SD, is trying to use 'file exclusion list', 'registry exclusion list', and 'commit now' from the SD's GUI. If you need to keep a file or folder, use the right click option on the menu 'Commit by Shadow Defender', it always works.
     
  15. Antarctica

    Antarctica Registered Member

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    @Osaban Thank you for this advice.:thumb:
     
  16. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

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    Good and useful point @Osaban

    I have always since it's first inception always chose that particular SD Context Menu option to perform that feature and never experienced a single issue so I just didn't bother with any of the other choices.

    This is one fine near flawless software that is never failed my 8.1 units or even hiccupped. Which proves a lot to me and my past practices of severely testing every conceivable destructive malware I tested.
     
  17. Krabbath

    Krabbath Registered Member

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    Thanks for all the answers.

    I will check out SD soon and see what experiences I make with it on my computer.
     
  18. Osaban

    Osaban Registered Member

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    @Antarctica, EASTER you are welcome.
    Yes, I believe using SD with default configuration makes it robust in terms of not having any attack vulnerabilities, a little bit like DeepFreeze from Faronics, it is a very inflexible virtual volume. The great plus of SD is the possibility to enter shadow mode on the fly within seconds... I agree EASTER this software is really amazing, the only program I have been using for more than 13 years...
     
  19. camelia

    camelia Registered Member

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    Hello

    Any know issue with SD .680 and Windows 10, 2004?

    Thanks
    Came
     
  20. stapp

    stapp Global Moderator

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    None for me.
    I do turn off Fast Boot as recommended.
     
  21. henryg1

    henryg1 Registered Member

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    Is development of SD dead?
     
  22. aldist

    aldist Registered Member

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    For several years now, only serious bugs have been fixed. There is no communication with the author, there is no feedback, purchase of a license for the program is possible.
    On the latest version of Windows 10 it works fine, so there is no reason to worry.
     
  23. sdmod

    sdmod Shadow Defender Expert

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    I agree with @Osaban and @EASTER regrading the right click 'commit now'. I use it all the time (and always have done) when downloading and testing files and programs in Shadow Mode, that I decide to keep, after checking with an 'on demand' anti virus whilst still in Shadow Mode.
    In Windows XP 'file exclusion list' is available but 'registry exclusion list' isn't.

    I want to mention a problem that arose with some members a while ago about 'committing' and saving very large files.
    I'd like to ask members if they still see this as an issue? I can't remember the particular instances that members brought up but I remember acknowledging on my own computer that there was a problem there and contacting Tony and not receiving a reply.
    Other than that I have not seen a problem even though I use XP and an older version (1.4.0.519) of Shadow Defender and have used 'commit now', for many years

     
  24. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

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    I wouldn't want to jinx it for new versions of Windows 10 updates upcoming and hope nothing of any real significance crops up. BUT I think most long time users just like myself, and in my opinion, long now recognize that SD certainly was well years ahead of it's time.

    As another recent poster pointed out, this app borders on a Faronics Deep Freeze but without the dangers involved. I tried in times past and liked it but seemed DF effected some mechanism which would require me to restore a fresh backup image.

    SD in all the years on my systems is not once gave rise to any errors which would been cause for some concern. And is just been and remains plain solid and reliable on this end

    And aside from the occasional reports of various behaviors now & then we're still getting maximum performance out of this time and metal tested virtualization program.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
  25. plat

    plat Registered Member

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    I better post over here rather than clutter up the "What's Your Security Setup These Days" thread. Many thanks to Osaban, imdb and stapp for the reassurance for a first time potential user. :thumb: Now to save up for the 35 USD lifetime license. Most here would say that's a worthwhile investment, right?

    Looking forward to trying it. Thanks again.
     
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