installing programs you dont' want

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Don't you hate when you try to install a program that you downloaded and they try to trick you into installing a bunch of other programs you don't want- like toolbars and some programs that often contain viruses. It seems like every program I download now does this when installing.

One way this can be avoided is by reading the EULA when attempting to install programs on a Windows system. Quite often many 'free' programs need to have the crapware installed to function, due to the fact that they share .dll files. The EULA will mention this.

If the EULA mentions this, look for equivalent programs that don't come bundled with adware, toolbars, etc.

Hmm. That is good to know. I hate trick installations which, if you don't read EVERYTHING in every pop-up window and respond accordingly, will result in malware and/or spyware as the "price" for using its free application or utility. As I find these scams, I add them to a list of shareware providers that I avoid.

And, don't get me started on seeming legitimate shareware that is infected with (or includes intentionally) known viruses. I wish I could say "stick with CNET.com," but even that once-great site has resorted to getting paid for trick installations.

I always research and read reviews of shareware and the sites that push it BEFORE downloading a thing.

Why not switch to Linux? You have most of the programs you have on Linux. And as far as I know, there are no programs that trick you into anything. Installing them is usually simpler too! Especially now when more and more games are working on Linux natively, I see no reason for Windows

Doing a "custom" install, instead of "express" will show those unwanted programs and you can uncheck them. Also, beware of the "shadowy" "Decline" button which shows up on certain pages. Just hit 'decline'. Not to be confused with "I agree......"

It is despicable how once trustworthy organisations like CNET have turned to the dark side and now ship crapware & malware with the download you actually want. I'm very careful before downloading any software. I read all the reviews about it and do searches to see if anyone has anything bad to say about it and even if available from the likes of CNET I prefer to download directly from the developers own websites now where the same software is usually available free of unwanted crap / malware.

You have to take your time and read every screen. By reflex I now uncheck every box that is automatically checked, then read what each thing is. I just installed Win 7 and it is so nice to have a clean version without all the crapware that had accumulated in Vista.

Windows is crap. Switch to Linux.

No, Linux is crap. There are very few DAW programs , and none of any value for Linux, plus, there are uncountable DAW plugins for Win environment

Ok. If you want to judge entire operating systems based on the availability of a single type of specialist software...

Ardour/Harrison MixBus is cross platform. Mac Version supports AU, Windows version supports VST, and Linux version supports LADSPA,LV2, and if you campile yourself, you can use VST Plugs with the Linux Version. The only weakness with Ardour is that current 2.x versions do not support MIDI, which kills adoption for most people.

That being said, many Windows DAW's will work with WINE on Linux. --I currently use SAWStudio and SAC, as well as Steinberg's WaveLab, and yes, VST works quite well with both.

1. I don't know many programs that force you via the EULA to install "bloatware" to run the package you got from them. I think the FTC (US) would have an issue with that. Yes, an "express" install includes bloatware. Always use "custom" and make NO CHANGES if you don't see it prompting you about additional software that's pre-selected for install.

2. Most all programs I know that come with "bloatware" ask you about it before you install. It's already selected, so you need to be sure to deselect it before pressing "install." This is what the FTC (US) usually is okay with. They can pack on dozens of extra things to install, but you must be notified and allowed to opt out before installation of the main package.

3. The whole reason they do this? Money. The Ask.com or Google or Yahoo toolbars, they are paying to have their product bundled with the main package. Most people don't know how to deselect the option and they will ultimately use them...generating revenue for the toolbar owner. If you get anything for free, keep in mind someone is helping to pay for it, and they are hoping for it to pay off for them.

I don't complain about the practice because I don't want to have to pay for every software package I might find useful on occasion. I just carefully review what I'm installing to my PC when I opt to install it.

Sounds like good advice thank you.

I hate that. CCleaner, forces you do download Google Chrome, but it often messes up if you try to install it via CCleaner installation.

One of many reasons, why I don't use Windows anymore. I don't seem the have that problem with Linux.

Can't say I've ever let anything force me to install Chrome. Lots of popular Windows software tends to try to bundle extra stuff nowadays. Simply untick the relevant box during the installation process. Never do a standard installation, always do a custom one to check if any other crapware is set to install by default.

I've recently switched to Linux too. Can't say I miss Windows. Have you trieddd BitBleach (or BleachBit not sure on spelling) it is supposedly the Linux equivalent of CCleaner. I tried it and it was crap, it died during a wipe of the free disk space. I dislike the way Kubuntu keeps track of my activity, it is almost as bad as Windows in that respect. I've turned off desktop search and had to manually find a way of wrecking the logging of recent file activity too - I have an encrypted file containing other files with details of my bank account and other sensitive documents and the bloody recent file activity is quite happy to log and list all these files. I wish there were default settings to respect the users privacy.

I use BleachBit, pretty good. I use it to clear data and sometimes to wipe HDD.