GiveAwayOfTheDay trick: How to get the original installer from setup.exe

any ANONYMOUS forum user · #1 05-03-2010, 02:52 PM

Downloaded an interesting freebie today from giveawayoftheday.com. The problem was that the setup.exe connects to the web-site every time you try to install the program. And if you block internet connection, the installer just interrupts the setup process. I don't want to rely on any web-site when installing my programs, especially the ones that don't use any Internet connection. And I don't want to be asked whether I want to install any additional software from giveawayoftheday every time, so I decided to get the original installer after receiving my serial number and activation code.

There is a chance that you will be able to use a regular trial version from the software vendor, but there is no any guarantee, so let's get the original installer. The trick is very simple and requires you to copy the installer from the temp folder.

Download zip archive from GiveAwayOfTheDay
Open the archive and launch setup.exe
Let GiveAwayOfTheDay activator check the giveaway availability
When the original installer is launched just go to the temp folder:
Open command prompt and type
Code:
```
%temp%
```
Then press Enter.

Alternatively you can open
Code:
```
C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings\Temp
```
(in Windows XP)

or
Code:
```
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Temp
```
(in Windows 7 and Vista)

You need to replace USER with your username. And you need to make sure that hidden files are shown: In Windows Explorer go to "Tools" -> "Folder Options" -> "View" and check the "Show Hidden Files".
In the temp folder find a file named xxxxx.tmp, copy it and paste in any other folder (like C:\Distrib\)
If it is hard for you to find xxxxx.tmp that you need, just sort the files by date. Searching for a while which size is close to setup.exe may also help.
Rename xxxxx.tmp onto install.exe and enjoy installing it without connecting to giveawayoftheday.com!

any ANONYMOUS forum user · #2 05-07-2011, 06:14 PM

Nice info, except you forgot a few things. So I will just post here to compliment your instructions.

You must do this on the same day of the giveaway because the setup program verifies this.

I usually open the temp folder, select all files and choose delete. Confirm the deletion and skip any files that will not delete. After that you will likely only have about 4 files in the temp folder prior to starting the installation of the GiveawayOftheDay program.

Once you open the "setup" file from the download, and GOTD verifies the eligibility of the install, one or more new files & folders will show up in the temp folder. The temp file you need will start with "we", so look for a file named weXXXXX.tmp

At this point you can copy the weXXXXX.tmp file to another folder. I use the same folder where I unzipped the archive, because you will still need the text file that came with the setup program.

Cancel the installation you started & close the browser page that will open at GOTD.

Go to the folder where you copied the weXXXXX.tmp file.
1 - Remove the hidden attributes from the file.
Right click the file and select "properties". Remove the check from the box in front of "Hidden" at the bottom of the Propertied window. Click "OK".

2 - Rename the file to make it an executable file.
Right click the weXXXXX.tmp file and select ""Rename". Change the .tmp in the file name to .exe. You can also rename the weXXXXX if you wish.

You can now delete the original setup file from the folder. You now have a new installation file, and the text file with any needed registration information for the program.

You are no longer restricted to installing the program on the day of the giveaway and you can install the program on any system you wish.