[PLEASE READ] Google Chrome auto installation issue

[RejZoR]

What does this message cover?
Auto installation of Google Chrome browser without user agreement during avast! Antivirus installation or during program update of avast! Antivirus

When does the issue appear (and how)?
So far we have noticed these two scenarios, but is possible that we aren't aware of any other. This is based on user reports and my experience, scenarios may differ from one case to another in small details.

1. The confirmation dialog appears after the update (and reboot), but doesn't have checkbox for Google Chrome installation (Google Chrome has already installed itself)
2. The confirmation dialog appears after the update (and reboot) but disappears very quickly and since checkboxes are ticked by default, Google Chrome gets auto installed without user confirmation

What is going on!?
This is by no means an evil plan of avast! Software to auto install Google Chrome regardless of what users want or approve. The problem is a bug that avast! Software is probably well aware, but trust me, without in-depth info, such things are very hard to reproduce (repeat in their software lab).
This issue also happened on 1 out of 3 systems that i have as well, after several program updates that worked without any issues or Google Chrome auto installations without my confirmation. avast! itself and installer are a complex programs and as such, there is always chance that for some users, things won't work as expected.

Why isn't avast! Software responding?
Trust me, they are testing and collecting data as we speak, but unfortunately without extra info they cannot do much for now. Instead of ranting and threatening avast! Software, try to fill in as much info as possible to solve this issue once and for all, so you won't get annoyed by this issue ever again (hopefully) in the future. See the questions at the bottom of this message.

When they will have a confirmed and resolved case, they will most probably issue and apology and an official message but for now, this will have to do.

How to fix the issue?
At the moment, there isn't any general update or patch for this issue. Please follow this in order to remove Google Chrome in case if you don't want to use it.

Uninstall Google Chrome:
http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95319
Make sure to also check the option to delete browser data and select your default browser!

Manually remove the remaining files and registry entries:
http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=111899

How can i help to get this problem solved?
Ranting and threatening won't help, but answering few short questions may help us...

1. What avast! edition are you using (ie Free, Pro or AIS)?
2. When did this happen (during update or new installation)?
3. What Windows version are you using (ie Win7 SP1 64bit)?
4. Which was your default web browser at the time this happened?
5. Have you ever installed Google Chrome yourself in the past (and then removed it)?
6. How did this happen (dialog quickly disappeared, missing checkboxes etc)?
7. When did this happen (right after update, after update reboot, both)?
8. If you think any other info might be relevant or helpful, please post it.

Please follow this questionnaire in order to easier find similarities between systems with issues.
Either do it by number points or copying it and answering each question.

Thank you for your help!

[some_yahoo]

That's all very nice, but now every time we reboot the computer, Avast complains that we need to "complete our install" and the only thing we need is to install Chrome.  We are reinstalling from scratch now.

[RejZoR]

Please answer the questions to help fill in the details about this issue.

[mikaelrask]

hey!

see second post in this thread: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=100380.0

[essexboy]

To the top

[PMEdge]

EVERYTIME I logon to my computer I am given an Avast window with Google Chrome being already checked in boxes on Avast screen and saying to finish install.  I DO NOT want Google on my computer anywhere!  I have removed it many months ago, yet I am now getting this notice to install it several times a day!!  How do I make this Avast window and prompt to install Google stop coming up on my screen.  I have to uncheck the Google Chrome box everytime in order to go on and it is frustrating!!  HELP!!

[DavidR]

You are missing a crucial piece of information the avast version you have currently, if 7.0.1451 then use the avastUI, Maintenance, Update - Program Update to get the latest version 7.0.1456.

If you have version 7.0.1456, then check this post http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=100773.msg805714#msg805714 plus the one two posts below http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=100773.msg805717#msg805717.

If you need further help on this please start a new topic so as not to confuse this one.

[venitien]

Hi everyone!

my problem is the same that for PMEdge, each time i start my computer, avast ask me to complete the setup. This problem disapear if i setup google chrome. This is not a solution because i don't want google chrome on my computer...

So it's nice to provide add for google chrome, but if this problem persist i just will uninstal avast from my computer...

No way to resolve this with an other solution?

(sorry for bad english)

[GEGEPING]

Hi ^^

Maybe a bug on installation program or didn't noticed the unchecked box???

Just unstall Chrome or other thing like this:

Perform a clean avast program in Os safe mode with avast utility.

Reboot, use ccleaner and install full version.

And read carefully what's written upper.

Two boxes appear, one on the beginning just uncheck the two box, after base installation reboot and the second one appear and also uncheck the two boxes.

With this impossible to have permanent avast box.

I did like this on an hold laptop and on an Eeepc both have XP PRO one with SP2 the other with SP3

[DavidR]

my problem is the same that for PMEdge, each time i start my computer, avast ask me to complete the setup. This problem disapear if i setup google chrome. This is not a solution because i don't want google chrome on my computer...

So it's nice to provide add for google chrome, but if this problem persist i just will uninstal avast from my computer...

No way to resolve this with an other solution?

(sorry for bad english)

Read my post above yours, the links provide a workaround for this (if as you say your problem is the same as for PMEdge) by modifying the avast5.ini file, so it doesn't get repeatedly displayed.

[newview]

1. What avast! edition are you using (ie Free, Pro or AIS)?
Presently using Avast Free 7.0.1456

2. When did this happen (during update or new installation)?
It happened upon restarting my computer for an unrelated reason. I did NOT initiate an update, nor did Avast automatically update (to my knowledge). Upon restarting my computer for the aforementioned unrelated reason, I was greeted with an Avast Screen thanking me for updating ... and a Chrome install and my default browser changed to Chrome. A few HTML shortcuts on my desktop were changed to Chrome icons which visually keyed me to the install.

3. What Windows version are you using (ie Win7 SP1 64bit)?
Win7 SP1 64bit

4. Which was your default web browser at the time this happened?
Firefox 13.0.1

5. Have you ever installed Google Chrome yourself in the past (and then removed it)?
No ... not on this machine.

6. How did this happen (dialog quickly disappeared, missing checkboxes etc)?
There was NO dialog at all. There were NO checkboxes to uncheck. See question #2.

7. When did this happen (right after update, after update reboot, both)?
There was NO user initiated update. It was apparently updated unbeknownst to me (no dialog boxes, no checkboxes ... NOTHING) & I got a Avast Screen thanking me for updating AFTER rebooting.

8. If you think any other info might be relevant or helpful, please post it.

[bob3160]

@ newview,
Is your avast! program set to Program automatic update

[GEGEPING]

well

On French forum it seems that box problem appear, either manuel or automatic install from previous installed version Also on Seven and Xp OS

Me i say it again, i perform a clean install on Xp Safe mode.

Full install 7.0.1456, uncheck two times on the two boxes and after no more box appear

So a new correction to have possibility unchecking boxe or simply disable by internal program this feature

[newview]

@ newview,
Is your avast! program set to Program automatic update

Not anymore ... but it was prior to this Google Chrome install issue.
EDIT: Thinking back, I'm now pretty certain that it was NOT set to update automatically.

[bob3160]

@ newview,
Is your avast! program set to Program automatic update

Not anymore ... but it was prior to this Google Chrome install issue.

That explains the mystery.
1. The item is unchecked by default you must have made a change without realizing the effects.
2. Auto update updates using the default settings - Installing Google's Chrome browser and changing the default browser to Chrome.
3. It will also make Chrome the default for any links used by avast!