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.

Yes, well, that is why one does not download stuff from dodgy sites.

Flagon = Lesson ... hard way ... learnt. :E

Thanks, Granpa. The point of the post was (using my ' = Lesson ... hard way ... learnt.') to alert others to the fact that 'options' may not work as expected.

Yes, and I downloaded a Microsoft Update - that wasn't.

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'.

If you 'defected' to Apple you wouldn't have all that hassle. A clean machine that you upload what you want to upload, Firefox et al :D

Pre-loaded crapware is a plague on the normal user as G-CPTN testifies. :yuk:
I don't know why MS allow it.
The only true crapware-free PCs you can buy are from the MS Store ("Signature" series). :cool:

... and as crewmen mentioned, all Apple Computers and devices.

Mygod, you can even install Windows (various versions) on it ... :yuk:

Too right, so when I wanted to replace our Advent office desktop in 2014 our IT adviser gave me a list of components, including an Acer motherboard, 64-bit, i7 3.6 processor, SS hard disc 1 Tb I think, no unnecessary widgets, 16 Gb RAM, audio, lots of fast USB sockets, etc etc, "silent" box with fan and expansion space. I bought them, mainly from Maplin, and he put them together and loaded the software we use, only.

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.

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.

You are totally free to buy W7 and install it on your machine, G-CPTN.
(or upgrade to W10 preview :})

Depends on whether you think the iLife suite is crapware :E :E :E

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.

I use 'classic shell' on my 8.1 notebook to make it user friendly.User interface same as W7.The tiles are a thing of the past.

Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements

The best way of transforming modern Windows into a simple and usable OS

Mac

:cool:

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.