Alcohol 52% Free Edition released for non-commercial use

Quinton used our news submit to let us know that Alcohol 52% is now freeware for non commercial use on a single home computer.  For those not familiar with Alcohol software, it is CD & DVD back-up and emulation software, which allows one to back-up games, software and DVD titles and use them without risk of damaging the original discs or misplacing them on the move as the software is capable of creating virtual drives from the alcohol-created disc images. 

The Alcohol 52% Free Edition offers pretty much the same functionality as Alcohol 120%, but without the writing engine, has a limitation of 6 virtual CD/DVD-ROM drives and requires installation of the Protection Database Search Toolbar by Candeo Technologies, Inc.  Alcohol Software offers a retail software version of Alcohol 52% without these restrictions apart from no writing engine, which is present in Alcohol 120%. 

As part of many changes that are presently happening within Alcohol Soft we are pleased to announce that we now have a free version our Alcohol 52% software. There are no limitations on this version, other than the ability to create only 6 virtual drives. Our retail version still supports 31 virtual drives.  Remember you can not run Alcohol 52% if you have Alcohol 120% installed on the same drive. This version of Alcohol 52% is for private, non-commercial, single home computer use only. The license is provided personally to you and for that reason it does not allow you to make any duplicate (copy) to be sold, borrowed, assigned, leased or transferred Includes a search toolbar that lets you search for game protections. Help keep this version free by supporting Alcohol Soft.

With how easy it is to misplace a disc or how one can be presented with an unexpected request for the installation CD of a software package at the worst time, such as Microsoft PowerPoint suddenly requesting for the Office installation CD just before an important presentation, the software would be ideal for those wishing to keep an image library of their important installation CDs handy.  However, with how conscious many consumers have got towards the required installation of browser toolbars and other sponsored bundled add-ons, this software may not suit those who prefer not to install the toolbar. 

While the toolbar may be uninstalled, it is unclear whether or not this impacts the usability of the software.  But then again, at US$27 for the unrestricted version of Alcohol 52%, this works out much cheaper than most games and would more than pay for itself if it means saving even just one original disc from permanent damage or being misplaced on the move.

Feel free to discuss about Alcohol software on our Alcohol forum.

Source: Alcohol Software