Returnil System Safe Free 2011

[kendall.a]

Rather than continue to discuss this topic in the Sandboxie thread, I decided to start a new thread.

Please discuss your experiences with this software. I am particularly interested in those of you who might have used it on Windows 7, 64-bit. I have read a number of cases where this software does not play well on 64-bit OS's.

In addition, does this software play nice with other AV's since it includes an AV/AM engine?

[J_L]

Should be under Security, because this isn't a Drive Imaging program.

As for how well it works with other AVs, the developer says there should be no incompatibilities.

[Ritho]

Originally Posted by J_L

Should be under Security, because this isn't a Drive Imaging program.

Yes this is correct. I believe it works more like a "snap-shot" style backup, without the initial full copy of data. I think the way it works (without further investigation) is basically hard links are created for all the files in the system. This can be done in a few seconds. These new links are isolated in a virtual environment and then any changes made to those files are filtered and kept in the virtual environment.

[MidnightCowboy]

This posted by Taurus in the other thread is relevant.

"In most cases Returnil is not needed unless you're testing new software".

There is no restore/rollback feature in the free version, neither can you opt to save approved changes to your real system so in this respect it can be a pain to use in virtual mode full time. Although I have a 64 bit system I prefer to install x32 OS's into it but I had no compatibility issues with the Returnil (F-Prot) AV component. I always kept the AV switched on but only used VM for running new installers. With the free version this means rebooting and then reinstalling new software (without VM active) if you wish to keep it.

[bo.elam]

I am not using Returnil but for me this kind of software is perfect for testing
new programs or testing changes to the system that will be gone after
rebooting. For testing programs this type of software will work well with
software that don't need a reboot.

Bo

[kendall.a]

Although I have a 64 bit system I prefer to install x32 OS's into it but I had no compatibility issues with the Returnil (F-Prot) AV component.

MC, I assume that you meant "software" in the above statement and not OS's?

Does this mean that you would install the 32 bit version of Returnil and not the 64 bit version even on a 64 bit OS?

[MidnightCowboy]

Originally Posted by kendall

MC, I assume that you meant "software" in the above statement and not OS's?

Does this mean that you would install the 32 bit version of Returnil and not the 64 bit version even on a 64 bit OS?

No, the machine is x64 bit capable but I have x32 Windows 7 and the equivalent Mandriva 2010.2 installed into it. I've never seen any noticeable difference between the two although no doubt measuring things would reveal some I also realize that x64 is more stable than it was but I still see more references to problems per head of users for this group, so I prefer to stick with the "old stuff"

[kendall.a]

Thanks for the clarification. I couldn't imagine putting a 32 bit OS on a fully capable 64 bit system. In my opinion, 64 bit is so much more stable and offers the opportunity for more RAM.

I thought you had used Returnil in the past. But, I assume it wasn't 64 bit. Again, I've read about some issues with Returnil and 64 bit OS's.