Windows Tools, Help & Guides

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Update: As of 2011/05/12, I noticed this is no longer free (just a free trial now.) This is still a good tool, so I am going to leave the review here.

Every now and then I come across software I wish I had known about ages ago. A few weeks ago it happened again. We were contacted by Wondershare who wanted us to review their software Time Freeze. Time Freeze is a Virtual machine (of sorts) that keep your computer safe from viruses, spyware, Trojans and other malicious threats.

Virtual enviroment

It puts the real system under protection and creates a virtual environment for system partition, on which you run applications and surf the Internet. All traces and malicious threats will disappear after reboot. You use your computer as you are custom. The difference is that, when you reboot your computer, it get reset. Every change to the system made by any program will be gone and forgotten.

The genius part of this is that unless you are the administrator no one can mess up your computer. In my household, the kids love to install MSN (and MSIE) plugins, search toolbars, add-ons etc. and it takes me forever to remove the clutter these programs make on my computers. Now, thanks to Time Freeze, I need to worry no more.

No More Virus either…

I would almost go as far as to claim that you can forget all about your anti-virus and your trojan removers. But seeing as you can disable the protection – I wouldn’t. That being said, the risk of getting your system messed up by a virus or spy-/adware is greatly reduced – as these will only be able to virtually attack your system. Read more about virus protection Here !

Turn on and off without reboot

Time Freeze can be set to protect your Operating system and folders of choice, both upon windows boot and manually after boot. If the need to change your system occurs – like installing or removing programs – it can be temporarily disabled by the flick of a switch, so to speak. Time Freeze will then be paused until you turn it back on.

Protect System and folders

Time Freeze can also be set to protect single folders. You can protect the contents from being changed and also from being accessed.

Two versions (One free and one not)

A truly great idea (that many developers should follow) is that once Wondershare released Time Freeze 2.0,then 1.0, became freeware. Free forever as they put it. To most users, version 1 will give more than enough protection. However there are a few differences between the two. Version 2 protects the MBR (Master Boot Record), has 64-bit support and support USB stick protection to mention a few.

To get the “free forever” version, you need to register your email address. Wondershare will then send you the registration key, free of charge.

Pros and Cons

I think I’ve covered all the Pro’s already, so lets mention the Cons. All the Cons in version 1, is taken well care of in version 2. Such as MBR and USB protection, as well as 64-bit support. Version 2 also offer password security so no one except you can turn it on or off.

The only thing left, would be to get a warning from the system when you try to add or remove programs. Some sort of Taskbar Pop up reminding you that Time Freeze is enabled and that any system changes will not be permanent. Because once you get used to having Time Freeze running you will just as easy forget its there.

You can read more about the two versions HERE !

Overall Verdict

If you are looking for the ultimate solution to protect your computer, this might just be it.  With Time Freeze enabled you can trust everyone to use your computer. It will stay secure.

Download

Download Time Freeze 1.0 (Free)

Download Time Freeze 2.0 (demo)