Timebomb

A timebomb (or time bomb) is a software mechanism that renders a computer program unusable after a set period of time. It is commonly seen in pre-release software, where it is used to discourage users from holding onto out-of-date testing versions.

Windows 9x
The timebomb is activated through. Once the timebomb is triggered, Windows will display a message on boot saying the pre-evaluation period has expired, followed by an immediate shut down. The operating system will not boot unless it is reinstalled with the correct BIOS date as  patches itself to enter an infinite loop. Windows 95 build 216 is the first known build to include a timebomb.

Windows NT
Once a timebomb is triggered, the  bugcheck is used to reboot the system after a period of time has elapsed. The first build to feature a modern timebomb was Windows 2000 build 1627.1, although the Japanese and Korean pre-release versions of Windows NT 3.5 include a warning message box telling the user to install a retail copy of Windows after a certain date, unlike other builds from the era.

On pre-reset Longhorn builds, when the timebomb is triggered, it displays a Windows Product Activation warning message box when the user logs in. After that, the only way to bypass the warning message is to reinstall Windows with the correct BIOS date. This was later changed on build 4029. When the timebomb is triggered, it automatically returns to the login screen. There is no way to login, so reinstalling Windows is the only way to bypass the warning message. Later builds add a message saying that your logon period has expired. The first post-reset Longhorn build, 3790.1232, reverts to the Windows Product Activation screen when the timebomb is triggered. This was later kept until build 5048. Later builds use a redesigned Windows Activation that resembles the RTM. Unlike RTM, the Windows Activation window can't be closed or continue; when clicking "Cancel" Windows will automatically log off. This was later reused in the first available Windows 7 build, 6469.

Certain builds of Windows 8 and later versions contain a milder variant of the timebomb which does not restart the computer upon reaching the expiration date. Instead, it deactivates Windows and prevents access to personalization options in PC settings. Some copies of those builds even prevent unlocking features locked by Redpill as well as disabling the ability to change the desktop wallpaper in the Control Panel unless a third-party tool is used. In addition to this, the Microsoft Confidential warning above the watermark will be positioned slightly higher than the original, indicating that the timebomb has been triggered.

Most Windows 10 builds from the original release to Creators Update are flight-signed (file signature checks take certificate expiry time into account). When the timebomb activates, the boot loader will be rendered non-functional as a result of signature invalidation. Flight-signing was used until build 14965, and all subsequent builds of Windows 10 can run on current date.

However, some builds of Windows contain a non-functional or broken timebomb and can be installed on the current date. They are mostly from branches that were part of the Microsoft Ecosystem Engineering Access Program. Some other builds contained a test-signed certificate and can be installed on the current date.

macOS
The Mac OS X Public Beta is the only known version of macOS to feature a timebomb. While the timebomb prevented the user from logging into the desktop, it did not affect aspects of the Darwin kernel or any other components that are not related to the user interface.