Author Topic: when avast updates, how to skip google chrome installation and cleaning problem?  (Read 7033 times)

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Offline Muad'Dib

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The sequence of facts I regret and showing  why I ask you guys ...   how to avoid Google Chrome install and messleft:


Avast makes the favor to ask to update  ... i say all right (I would even click on a "Thank you" icon)

It updates .. and then it appears that I have a new browser I didn't ask for (Yep .. Google Chrome)

I erase it through the control panel    and ....

Avast tells me that the browser I didn't want G,Chrome.. had not been quite well erased

Avast ask's me if I want to buy an upgraded Avast that can clean all the mess the uninstallation of Google Chrom left

I got no money .. what I have left is to ask you

  How to prevent Avast updates to install Google Chrome again, without notifying me?

Thank you so much
The above post by artra was made in the wrong subforum, so that's probably why nobody ever responded to it. However, the same issue happened today to me, so I decided to quote their post and add my own experience (and hopefully get a reply to the both of us). Here are the details:

1) I updated an existing occurrence of Avast.
2) Chrome was installed (As far as I can tell, without my permission. I'm willing to revert my system and rerun step #1 to confirm this).
3) I uninstalled Chrome through the Control Panel.
4) Avast then warns me that the uninstall was incomplete, and then when I click on the link to "completely" remove the traces of Chrome (all registry entries) effectively tries to sell me a program to remove the install (that I did not want to begin with).

This is not behavior I expect from a program that is supposed to protect me. In fact it's behavior that comes to close to malware that 'infects' a system and then tries to sell a program to clean up the infection (yes I know that Chrome is not an infection, but it is something I don't want on this system).

Please respond to our posts, and tell me if the install of Chrome on my system could have been done without my approval (and if so, why is this permitted?).

Thanks.
« Last Edit: October 04, 2015, 06:46:58 PM by Muad'Dib »

Offline bob3160

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If this was a new install and you don't have Chrome on your system you would have had to uncheck the box to prevent chrome from installing.
If you had Unchecky (http://unchecky.com/) installed, it would have done that for you. :)


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Offline Muad'Dib

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It wasn't a new install (Avast had been installed for several months on this machine), it was a minor program update only (10.3 to 10.4 I think). I didn't see any options about Chrome installation that I needed to uncheck (during the Avast update, there was a large button I could have clicked to install Chrome, but I definitely did NOT click on that button).

Chrome was not on this system before the Avast update, but the Chrome program (and all related folders) were created and installed today, after the Avast update completed.


« Last Edit: October 04, 2015, 07:22:40 PM by Muad'Dib »

Offline bob3160

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It wasn't a new install (Avast had been installed for several months on this machine), it was a minor program update only (10.3 to 10.4 I think). I didn't see any options about Chrome installation that I needed to uncheck (during the Avast update, there was a large button I could have clicked to install Chrome, but I definitely did NOT click on that button).

Chrome was not on this system before the Avast update, but the Chrome program (and all related folders) were created and installed today, after the Avast update completed.
https://support.avast.com/Tickets/Submit/RenderForm/27/&cls02&ptf01&lic01&scr06

Choose your language and submit your problem directly to Avast.
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Offline Muad'Dib

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Bob, I do plan to submit a ticket (though your link went to customer service, not to technical support, which seems a more appropiate destination). But I was also posting this here to see if the unwanted/unrequested installation of Chrome was happening to others as well (besides artra and myself). Knowing that more than 2 people have encountered this issue adds to the 'clout' of a support request.

Thanks for your help!

Offline Muad'Dib

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To test things out, I reverted back to a previous version and then updated to v10.4.

And it turns out that Avast does ask if I want to install Chrome, but it is at an unusual time (at least compared to other installs): After the update is completed and my system restarted, there is a final step, where you are supposed to click a big "CONTINUE" button. Above that button are two (relatively) small check boxes - one to install Chrome, one to make Chrome my default browser (both are enabled by default). I missed those boxes the last time I updated (shame on me!).

Live and learn...  ::)

Offline bob3160

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To test things out, I reverted back to a previous version and then updated to v10.4.

And it turns out that Avast does ask if I want to install Chrome, but it is at an unusual time (at least compared to other installs): After the update is completed and my system restarted, there is a final step, where you are supposed to click a big "CONTINUE" button. Above that button are two (relatively) small check boxes - one to install Chrome, one to make Chrome my default browser (both are enabled by default). I missed those boxes the last time I updated (shame on me!).

Live and learn...  ::)
Which is why I recommended the installation of Unchecky. I also recommend to always use a custom install, not the default.
The ability to bypass the chrome install is there but very easily overlooked.
(Since I use Chrome as my default browser, this is also something I never see.)
« Last Edit: October 05, 2015, 03:00:23 PM by bob3160 »
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Hi there

I see it is not me the only one with this kind of problem of unwanted "additional intallations" and it marks a problem to Avast .. that, if it considers useful to promote other apps, it could do it with more care for the Avast user.

Thank you Muad'Dib for recalling the problem in the right channel
« Last Edit: October 08, 2015, 07:23:06 PM by artra »

Offline Cluster-Lizard2014

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This shouldn't be blamed on the user.

Unchecky is a program installed to prevent such easy oversights when installing 'free' software from unknown sources which may include unwanted extras by default when they do give you the chance to opt out, even if not made clear.

That's where Unchecky comes in as a useful safety net because there are a number of sneaky tricks that may be employed, like greying the opt out button or making it as small as possible and making the continue button bigger than needed to encourage you to click without checking, or unchecking in this case. 

This is not the sort thing any respectable software provider should be doing and is enough to get such programs removed from many review sites and PC magazines' recommended software lists.     

The best 'free' software providers show exactly what items are going to be installed before you finally click the install button. They also provide a back button so you can easily remove anything unintended without having to go through the whole set up process from the start again. The absence of a back button is another trick to encourage you to continue.

An AV updater/installer set up to include a PUP by default, and that's what any program is that you don't want installed, even if it is a legitimate, (relatively) benign one like Chrome is irony in the extreme.

It should be an opt in extra not an opt out one. 
 

 

Offline bob3160

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@ Cluster-Lizard
"This shouldn't be blamed on the user."
Who blamed the user ??? Unchecky with a link was the first thing recommended. :)
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Offline Cluster-Lizard2014

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You wagged your finger at him for not having UnChecky. If only he had UnChecky installed the problem wouldn't have occurred. He didn't and it did.

That sounds to me like assigning blame to Muad'Dib for his own misfortune. None of this was really his fault that's the main point I was trying to make.

Offline bob3160

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You wagged your finger at him for not having UnChecky. If only he had UnChecky installed the problem wouldn't have occurred. He didn't and it did.

That sounds to me like assigning blame to Muad'Dib for his own misfortune. None of this was really his fault that's the main point I was trying to make.
Recommending and wagging my finger for not using it aren't the same in my book.
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Offline stibi

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Anyway - good to know about this unusual behaviour of Avast ...

And, Bob - this is not acceptable, and to install another extra tool like Unchecky is not the resolution.
« Last Edit: October 11, 2015, 09:57:34 AM by stibi »

Offline bob3160

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Anyway - good to know about this unusual behaviour of Avast ...

And, Bob - this is not acceptable, and to install another extra tool like Unchecky is not the resolution.
It was a recommendation. It's a tool use it or not is up to you.
Where did I say it was acceptable ??? I don't like the default settings either but, by now I've learned how to avoid them.
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