New Update Shadow Defender - RIP

[Alexhousek]

so I'm curious as to where you read that he died?

I took it to mean that the developer's website or the Shadow Defender website is dead, not the actual person.

 

[B-boy/StyLe/]

I didn't see anything funny about your post.

You probably must misclicked the emoji then. It happens to all of us.

but imho it is silly for existing SD users to consider abandoning its use as long as it still works properly with all Windows versions (which it does)

I didn't suggest that. In fact, I am still using the abandoned Macrium Reflect Free for the very same reason. But one day probably we would have to migrate to another solution (like Hasleo) or to buy a license for the Home version. Since I guess they will no longer support the upcoming versions of Windows like 24H2 and up.

 

[pvsurfer]

It's baaack!!!

....after disappearing for the past 2-months the SD website reappeared today - without explanation, or a program update!

Shadow Defender - the easiest PC/laptop security and privacy protection tool

Shadow Defender is an easy-to-use PC/laptop security and privacy protection tool for Windows operating systems.

www.shadowdefender.com

 

[I Walk MY Way]

you got to be F**King kidding me

 

[xstarlogic]

Okay I'll just give a sad note.
1. Shadow defender (even to version 1.5.0.726) is NO longer working in Windows 11 24H2. If you're upgrading from Windows 11 23H2 or any previous version of Windows, you will be ask to uninstall Shadow Defender first before proceeding to update.
2. If you want a virtualization that able to restore everything on every reboot. I suggest to upgrade your Windows 11 to Enterprise Edition, to use Unified Write Filter or UWF.
3. What about other software. Deep Freeze Standard cause infinitive boot loop in Windows 11 24H2. Reboot Restore RX Pro. uninstalling this software leave me with a very deep trumatic experience as It cause my system to crash badly, and lots of repair work.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

View attachment 285659

Okay I'll just give a sad note.
1. Shadow defender (even to version 1.5.0.726) is NO longer working in Windows 11 24H2. If you're upgrading from Windows 11 23H2 or any previous version of Windows, you will be ask to uninstall Shadow Defender first before proceeding to update.
2. If you want a virtualization that able to restore everything on every reboot. I suggest to upgrade your Windows 11 to Enterprise Edition, to use Unified Write Filter or UWF.
3. What about other software. Deep Freeze Standard cause infinitive boot loop in Windows 11 24H2. Reboot Restore RX Pro. uninstalling this software leave me with a very deep trumatic experience as It cause my system to crash badly, and lots of repair work.

Your having trouble with Shadow Defender, Deep Freeze and Restore RX, maybe its your system and not the software as I don't see anyone else here having issues. Do you tweak your OS?

 

[Andy Ful]

Your having trouble with Shadow Defender, Deep Freeze and Restore RX, maybe its your system and not the software as I don't see anyone else here having issues. Do you tweak your OS?

It was my first thought too. But indeed, SD does not work on Windows 11 24H2 in my Virtual Machine.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

It was my first thought too. But indeed, SD does not work on Windows 11 24H2 in my Virtual Machine.

Thanks for checking.

 

[bazang]

It was my first thought too. But indeed, SD does not work on Windows 11 24H2 in my Virtual Machine.

This will cause much outrage, trashing the developer, laments of "How can they do this to users?," misinformation, speculation, blowing it way out of proportion.

Last I heard, Tony died during covid. Cannot confirm but then again anything about Tony cannot easily be confirmed.

 

[Daniel302]

I just report:

a. Microsoft Windows 11 24H2 10.0.26100.1742
b. Shadow Defender 1.5.0.726

Clean install of Microsoft Windows, Shadow Defender installer is blocked. I tried everything and it failed to install.

Then I installed version 24H2 26100.1457 of Windows and the installer works correctly, but when applying updates (26100.1591 onwards); Windows blocks the installer. As reported xstarlogic

 

[Andy Ful]

The issue is related to the software compatibility check. One can upgrade to the new build without a compatibility check as stated in the previous post and SD will probably still work on many computers. However, SD will be blocked after a standard upgrade or standard fresh installation.

 

[bazang]

The developer, Tony, was or is a one-man shop. He did have some deal with partner resellers in SE Asia, but to the best of my knowledge, he was and is the only Shadow Defender developer. He had health problems that took him away from SD for years, then he would reappear without explanation years later.

Even if Tony is no longer developing SD, I would not be surprised if the "Partner" resellers keep trying to sell the product to unsuspecting consumers.

 

[Andy Ful]

Clean install of Microsoft Windows, Shadow Defender installer is blocked. I tried everything and it failed to install.

Shadow Defender can be installed on fresh Windows 24H2 by temporarily disabling the Application Compatibility Client Library. Trusted Installer privileges are needed (apphelp.dll must be temporarily renamed to install SD). Anyway, I do not recommend this method, even if it works for me.
Microsoft prevents such software for a good reason.

 

[Andy Ful]

I used the Compatibility Administrator tool (from Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit) to see the details related to Shadow Defender and found a simple method to install Shadow Defender on Windows 24H2. This method does not mess with apphelp.dll.

1. Use 7-Zip to unpack the installer SD1.5.0.726_Setup.exe
2. Use 7-Zip to unpack the embedded installer Setup_x64.exe
3. Open the unpacked folder and rename the file setup.exe.
4. Run the renamed file.

Please note: Running Shadow Defender on Windows 24H2 is not recommended, even if it works so far.

 

[xstarlogic]

Your having trouble with Shadow Defender, Deep Freeze and Restore RX, maybe its your system and not the software as I don't see anyone else here having issues. Do you tweak your OS?

No, I do not tweak my OS.

In Windows 11 23H2, all those software runs without problem, but in Windows 24H2, it is a problem. You do not see anyone here has a problem because Windows 11 24H2, just rolled out, and none here apply the update immediately.

I used the Compatibility Administrator tool (from Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit) to see the details related to Shadow Defender and found a simple method to install Shadow Defender on Windows 24H2. This method does not mess with apphelp.dll.

1. Use 7-Zip to unpack the installer SD1.5.0.726_Setup.exe
2. Use 7-Zip to unpack the embedded installer Setup_x64.exe
3. Open the unpacked folder and rename the file setup.exe.
4. Run the renamed file.

View attachment 285728

Please note: Running Shadow Defender on Windows 24H2 is not recommended, even if it works so far.

Back in Windows 11 23H2, while using Shadow Defender I often get a drive C: error. Despite the error, the OS runs smoothly, and the error appears at random occasion. So I still continue to use SD.

 

[xstarlogic]

Currently software for Windows that works in similar way as Shadow Defender is Deep Freeze, and Unified Write Filter. Those are the only software that creates a layer of unseen virtual space for writing of protected volume. It is also have benefit of reducing writing on certain media, and also do not takes up space.

Programs such as Reboot Restore RX is does not work very well in Windows 11. Reboot Restore RX change the partition information, such that the System Drive will be seen as RAW, and cannot be access by Win RE which for me is not ideal if I want to perform some operation within Windows RE. Furthermore Restore Reboot RX took so much space to store snap points.

 

[Daniel302]

No, I do not tweak my OS.

In Windows 11 23H2, all those software runs without problem, but in Windows 24H2, it is a problem. You do not see anyone here has a problem because Windows 11 24H2, just rolled out, and none here apply the update immediately.


Back in Windows 11 23H2, while using Shadow Defender I often get a drive C: error. Despite the error, the OS runs smoothly, and the error appears at random occasion. So I still continue to use SD.

In another forum, they published that they have been updated to Windows 11 24H2 from an earlier version, using Rufus v4.6 Beta. Maintaining the installation of Shadow Defender the previous version. The Windows installer does not show warnings of Shadow Defender's incompatibility. The upgrade was successful.

I clarify, I only share the information; I have not had time to check it.

 

[Andy Ful]

In another forum, they published that they have been updated to Windows 11 24H2 from an earlier version, using Rufus v4.6 Beta. Maintaining the installation of Shadow Defender the previous version. The Windows installer does not show warnings of Shadow Defender's incompatibility. The upgrade was successful.

I clarify, I only share the information; I have not had time to check it.

This method is possible but requires more effort and is more risky. Windows is installed with disabled software compatibility checks, so Shadow Defender and any other software will survive. It is possible that incompatible software can be installed after the upgrade. This can significantly increase the chances of incompatibilities and system instability.

The method presented in my previous post is simpler and safer. Instead of modifying the Windows upgrade via Rufus, only the SD installer is slightly modified to bypass the compatibility checks. So, the Windows upgrade can be done normally and SD needs to be reinstalled after the upgrade (it takes half a minute). The Windows compatibility checks will still block other incompatible software. This method is advantageous when the software does not update (the updater would require similar modifications).

Anyway, using SD on Windows 24H2 can be somewhat risky. I use it on a Virtual Machine to check system tweaks and software.

 

[bazang]

Eventually all good things come to an end. In the case of Shadow Defender, with a single developer code named "Tony," this quip of truth is doubly true.

If SD is truly dead (as in no longer being maintained or developed), then it is an end of an era. There are no equivalent replacements that work as well and as reliably as SD does\did.

All of the security soft "greatest hits' are slowly but surely dying off. The single one that remains the most supreme in terms of capabilities and reliability of all still remains - user knowledge. But the sad fact is that it is dying off at a faster rate than those greatest hits.

One day there will be no more software of the security geek kind: Sandboxie, Shadow Defender, Malware Defender, SpyShelter, DiskShot, etc.

Users will be mesmerized and fooled by slick marketing of AI and ML. "Hey you ain't gotta know or do a thing. Our AI and ML will do it all for you. You Are Protected."

 

[Andy Ful]

There are no equivalent replacements that work as well and as reliably as SD does\did.

It is incredible that SD still works without updates, despite so many changes in OS.