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All you have to do is take a snapshot of your Windows Registry before you install the trial for the first time. Then install and use the trial, and when the time period runs out, uninstall it, then restore the Registry to the saved values it had before the trial.
Uninstall the program and reinstall it. This is basic method used to keep a program running after its trial period has expired, but it will not work will all software. Many software engineers program trial software to expire at the end of a given time and reinstalling the software will not restart the clock.
Trial Version means a version of the software which may have limited features and is limited in terms of the length of time the software may be used and will cease operating after a predetermined amount of time ("the Trial Period") due to an internal mechanism within the trial version.
This is covered very well in the Shareware Starter Kit. It has code for limited trials, secure activation, registration and Paypal integration. Highly recommended, you don't want to invent that wheel.
The link I gave you is not a great one, you have to click through the license to get to the download. I can't find a link anymore that describes the C# specific version of that kit.
The "trial" status is a relatively fuzzy concept. It would be hard to specify it so precisely so that a "tool" can be built for it.
What option?
Locally installable software:
Legal restriction. Full functionality is give right off, but the user should willlingly stop using it after the trial period is over. Basically, protection by trust (for private users) or protection by legal prosecution (for company users).
Restricted functionality. Users can download a lite version. Whenever they decide to come to the full one, they request some license key that unlocks the rest of the functionality. Alternatively, you provide a secret download link for a full version. Even better, if you create watermarked binaries so you can track unauthorized usage/distribution to its source.
Web software:
Check the following thread Implementing a 30 day time trial.
There are toolkits which are available for implementing trial version features as mentioned in one of the threads Copy protection tool to limit number of units.
I am not aware if visual studio provides some built-in tools to implement the trial version feature in software.
There are built-in tools for licensing and copy protection in Visual Studio or .Net. You need to develop your own scheme or use a ready made one.
For best practices and tips, see this article : 8 Ways To Make Your Software Hacker-Proof and Crack-Proof With CryptoLicensing
DISCLAIMER: I work at LogicNP Software, the developers of CryptoLicensing
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