To help protect Shadow and its users, we ask that you refrain from making any of the changes mentioned in this article. By following the rules and avoiding the items outlined, you can enjoy Shadow PC to its fullest extent while abiding by our Terms of Use.

The changes listed here range from installing various software to activities that could harm or disrupt the services provided by Shadow or third parties.

Committing the following activities in this article may prevent Shadow PC from functioning properly:

• Reinstalling Windows

• Installing Antivirus or Firewalls

• Modifying Shadow PC

• Mining Cryptocurrency

• Torrenting, Pirating, or Downloading Illegal Content

• Server Hosting & Shared Computing

• Booting to Safe Mode

• Installing Virtualization Software

• Bypassing Automatic Shutdown

• Violating the Terms of Use

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Reinstalling Windows

Windows comes preinstalled on your system using licenses provided to you by Shadow. If you'd like to reset or format your Windows operating system, you can factory reset your Shadow PC from your customer space. Resetting Shadow PC via the the customer space will also reinstall the Shadow PC services.

Resetting Shadow PC from the Windows operating system will cause you to lose access to Shadow PC.

Installing Antivirus or Firewalls

Antivirus and firewall applications can interfere with the Shadow PC's operations and, if installed, may require you to reset Shadow PC to factory settings. We recommend using the antivirus and firewall protection provided by Windows.

Modifying Shadow PC

You may not modify or interfere with Shadow PC's services or hardware settings at any capacity. Doing so may result in the termination of your account.

Modifying Shadow constitutes adding, deleting, or changing the following:

• Registry keys

  • Changing the Windows registry can disable some services.

  • Pay particular attention to "bloatware", "junkware", or other cleaning software like CCleaner, which may automatically change the registry.

• Shadow's processes, services, and hardware

  • Removing the graphics card or the network card immediately stops the service.

  • Using the components to overclock your Shadow are susceptible to breakdowns and is therefore forbidden.

• Shadow's BIOS

  • Changing the BIOS can have a considerable impact on the functionality of Shadow PC. Should you lose access to your Shadow as a result of modifying the BIOS, you must reset your Shadow.

• Other Blade or Shadow programs

  • Several programs running in the background are necessary for the proper functioning of the service. Deleting them interfere's with Shadow's ability to support your Shadow PC.

• Overclocking Shadow

  • Overclocking often overheats the CPU and may damage hardware within the data center. Overclocking will result in the termination of your account.

Mining Cryptocurrency

Users are not allowed to mine cryptocurrency, as stated in our Terms of Use. Mining raises the temperature of the hardware beyond safe levels, wears hardware down, and consumes an exorbitant amount of power. Mining cryptocurrency will result in the termination of your account.

Torrenting, Pirating, or Downloading Illegal Content

Downloading or sharing any content without the permission of the content owner is prohibited, as described in our Terms of Use, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and the No Electronic Theft Act (NET). For security purposes, Shadow cannot discriminate between file sharing and pirating, and as such, torrenting may result in the termination of your account.

Server Hosting & Shared Computing

By default, Shadow PC offers are not intended to be used as a server. Shadow does not provide any hosting or VPS (Virtual Private Server) options. Using Shadow PC as a server violates our Terms of Use. This also includes, but is not limited to, the following examples:

• Computing pools

• Volunteer computing, such as Folding@home

• Grid computing

• Network computing, such as BOINC

Booting to Safe Mode

Booting Shadow PC to Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking will force Shadow PC's streaming services to stop or misbehave. If Shadow PC has been booted to Safe Mode, you must reset your Shadow to factory settings.

Installing Virtualization Software

Shadow PC does not support all virtualization software, including emulators, and cannot be modified to do so. Attempting to enable virtualization is considered a modification and is not supported.

Bypassing Automatic Shutdown

Shadow PC employs an automatic shutdown mechanism to ensure the optimal allocation of its IT resources. Automatic shutdown also helps our teams maintain our data centers, prevent hardware damage, conserve power, and sustain the user experience. Please refer to our Terms of Use for more information.

Violating the Terms of Use

When subscribing to Shadow, users must agree to our Terms of Use, which includes our Code of Conduct. In the event we have reason to believe you've violated the Code of Conduct or any Terms, we may suspend or terminate your account without notice. Suspension or termination of your account does not constitute a refund.