Today I updated my Avast free anti-virus software by using the Update Program link in the Avast user interface. Much to my amazement, it installed Google CRAPWARE (Google update, Google CrashHandler, etc.) on my computer without my knowledge or consent. I was unable to uninstall the CRAPWARE because it did not appear in the Control Panel in Add or Remove Programs. The uninstall option also did not appear in the Start Menu as Google says it should. Yet the Google CRAPWARE was listed in msconfig as a service that was running, was listed in the task scheduler, and littered my registry with dozens of entries. My only option to uninstall the CRAPWARE (not just disable it) was to do a system restore, which worked, but broke Avast. I then had to uninstall Avast, which turned out to be a pain in the patootie. Uninstalling from the Control Panel and from Revo wouldn't work because the self-defense module was enabled. Unchecking Enable Avast! self-defense module in Settings didn't work - the setting wouldn't stick. So I had to reboot my computer in safe mode. I finally got Avast 6.0.1367 uninstalled and manually installed 7.0.1426 without the CRAPWARE. All told, a good two hours of my time wasted.
Please don't try to tell me that the Avast update didn't install the Google CRAPWARE. I have no Google software of any kind on my computer - no Google Chrome, no Google Earth, no Google Anything. I also have no Google account of any kind - no gmail, no Google Docs account, no YouTube account, no Google account whatsoever. The Google CRAPWARE wasn't there before the Avast update; it was there after the Avast update. Ergo, Avast installed the Google CRAPWARE. I am writing to express my OUTRAGE at Avast's practice of installing unnecessary memory-hogging CRAPWARE on my computer without my knowledge or consent. Installing CRAPWARE should be an option that is offered the user (in both the manual and automatic install routines), not a sneaky stealth installation.
You have now UNNECESSARILY alienated a long-time user of your software. I am investigating other options for antivirus software. Avast isn't the only game in town.