Downloading - a salutary tale
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 81
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From: Somewhere where I can watch you
Downloading - a salutary tale
I needed a 'manual' for a piece of 'legacy' equipment and went to Google. Instead of going to the manufacturer's site, I took the first 'hit'. As soon as I got to the page I got this funny feeling that there would probably be 'unwanted baggage' (Pups) coming with the download. Not to worry, thought lazy me, I can opt for a 'custom' install and decline all such. Which I did, but they all installed!
Much 'cleansing' and all is now well, but the moral of the tale is that I THINK the site had rendered the seductive 'decline' tick boxes inop. Beware.
Much 'cleansing' and all is now well, but the moral of the tale is that I THINK the site had rendered the seductive 'decline' tick boxes inop. Beware.
Resident insomniac
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 1
From: N54 58 34 W02 01 21
I recently bought a new Acer Aspire E15 Start laptop.
Windows 8.1 (no choice) and bought new (from Argos).
I was aware that there would be 'clutter' included, but I spent the first couple of days 'fighting' unwanted downloads - not made easy because of my unfamiliarity' with W8 - and an inability to spot/find the necessary commands amongst the stupid W8 interface.
I eventually found how to download my preferred browser (Firefox) and thence suitable (to me) anti-spyware utlities which enabled me to locate and identify the unwanted programmes that crept in.
That some were akin to Trojans is certain.
Some kept producing adverts for unwanted services (and further undesirable 'apps') that the unwitting would simply accept as possibly 'essential'.
Windows 8.1 (no choice) and bought new (from Argos).
I was aware that there would be 'clutter' included, but I spent the first couple of days 'fighting' unwanted downloads - not made easy because of my unfamiliarity' with W8 - and an inability to spot/find the necessary commands amongst the stupid W8 interface.
I eventually found how to download my preferred browser (Firefox) and thence suitable (to me) anti-spyware utlities which enabled me to locate and identify the unwanted programmes that crept in.
That some were akin to Trojans is certain.
Some kept producing adverts for unwanted services (and further undesirable 'apps') that the unwitting would simply accept as possibly 'essential'.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 0
From: Confoederatio Helvetica
The only true crapware-free PCs you can buy are from the MS Store ("Signature" series).
Mygod, you can even install Windows (various versions) on it ...
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 2
From: Europe
Pre-loaded crapware is a plague
Result; nice, totally silent, totally reliable, very fast computer, rating 6.9, no unwanted software, total cost < £850 including assembly and a Wifi dongle. I already had a good stand-alone DVD/CD Rewrite USB unit, so that was not needed in the new machine. Any future upgrade is a matter of component acquisition/replacement.
Joined: Jan 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 38
Likes: 62
From: The Smaller Antipode
G-CPTN Welcome to the World of Windows H'eight.
Find the Microsoft "flag" key, then ...
Flag D gets you immediately back to the desktop
Flag X gives you a menu, of which Shut Down is the last but one option.
Forget all the "Tiles" and other crap, until you need them.
Flag C and Flag W can be useful,too.
Find the Microsoft "flag" key, then ...
Flag D gets you immediately back to the desktop
Flag X gives you a menu, of which Shut Down is the last but one option.
Forget all the "Tiles" and other crap, until you need them.
Flag C and Flag W can be useful,too.
)Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 0
From: Witnesham, Suffolk
I know to be very careful with anything Adobe, but I was disappointed when downloading some stuff yesterday, to find that some other formerly top-notch "household names" in the computing world now include a load of Pups in their installers.
My rule is to download from the "author's" website if possible. If that has Pups packed in with the desired stuff, then an alternative piece of software is likely to be chosen.
My rule is to download from the "author's" website if possible. If that has Pups packed in with the desired stuff, then an alternative piece of software is likely to be chosen.
Plastic PPRuNer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 0
From: Rochechouart, France
Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements
The best way of transforming modern Windows into a simple and usable OS
Mac
The best way of transforming modern Windows into a simple and usable OS
Mac
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: lancs.UK
Micro Computers? (Opposite St.Mary's /MRI) Manchester, will knock the pants off Maplin, pricewise .Tom's Hardware is an excellent site to get a realistic current view of the market.
I was recently given a new box with the latest Ubuntu. the old, 32 bit machine was not upgradeable (I was told) It ran the same version of Ubuntu for about 8 years ,with no software upgrades!
It started getting a bit flaky at the end, but it was 10 years old and only switched off when a power-cut ocurred, or in later life , if it crashed.....always seemed to save the last page , etc.
Have Opera, Firefox and now an unused Chrome. Once I mastered transferring Tape-based games to disc , on the Amstrad 6128, I lost enthusiasm and the kids got an old 286 PC and left me far behind.
I am told Windoze is now very good, very stable and the "blue screen of death" is long gone.....I CBA to learn how to use it....
Linux all free and developers across the world do it for the challenge and respect of their peers.....not because "the boss" expects to see "something" for his money.
I was recently given a new box with the latest Ubuntu. the old, 32 bit machine was not upgradeable (I was told) It ran the same version of Ubuntu for about 8 years ,with no software upgrades!
It started getting a bit flaky at the end, but it was 10 years old and only switched off when a power-cut ocurred, or in later life , if it crashed.....always seemed to save the last page , etc.
Have Opera, Firefox and now an unused Chrome. Once I mastered transferring Tape-based games to disc , on the Amstrad 6128, I lost enthusiasm and the kids got an old 286 PC and left me far behind.
I am told Windoze is now very good, very stable and the "blue screen of death" is long gone.....I CBA to learn how to use it....
Linux all free and developers across the world do it for the challenge and respect of their peers.....not because "the boss" expects to see "something" for his money.
