Avast Free 2014 trying to FORCE Google Chrome installation

I just updated to Avast 2014.9.0.2011, the free version, on XP because it was hassling me constantly to do that. Nowhere did I read that I would have to install Google Chrome, but on reboot a window came up saying it was doing just that. I had quite a time making it stop, and it said I might wreck something in setup if I did. I did it anyway. I am happy with Firefox and do not want another browser taking up space in my system.

Now the “user interface” says everything’s cool, so I’m supposing no damage was done.

Is this “normal” for this version and can I expect it to happen every time I update?

It doesn’t actually “force” you to install Google Chrome.

You have the option to uncheck it during the install.

Regrettably Avast have chosen to use “Opt out” for the install chrome option rather than the more user friendly “opt in” approach, which means you have to read all of the options carefully during the installation. You are given the option to “opt out” but many miss seeing it and possibly Avast benefits financially when they do. Avast is by no means the only company using “Opt out”.

If you update the program from within the Avast GUI, then the “Opt Out” occurs near the end of the update process. If you are doing a clean installation it occurs near the start of the process, and yes, these days, with all software you should always expect the possibility of needing to “Opt Out” to prevent something other than the software you actually want to install from being sneaked in during the process.

You should have seen two different screens to opt-out of Chrome.
The first during the install, the second after reboot.
Personally I would prefer it would be “opt-in” and not opt-out.

As users we are seeing more and more bundled software.
The end result is that the end user must be ever more vigilant
and not just click, click, click their way through any install.
Doing otherwise could lead to unwanted software, toolbars and even changed homepages. :slight_smile:

Right or wrong, Avast is certainly not the only software vendor to take this approach.

Pays in the long run to read each installation screen as it displays.

I can confirm this…on my XP machine it doesn’t get the finish window upon reboot where you can uncheck install Google Chrome…it just installs it…no install screen or anything…just drops an icon on the desktop. In W7 I see it every time on reboot. So yes, after every program update on XP it will install Chrome…it’s done this for months.

I installed on a Windows XP SP3 system and got the opt-out screen…

I’ll be installing my new motherboard this weekend & won’t have to worry about it on that machine anymore.

Thanks very much, everyone. I used the opt-out choice when first installing Avast, but I didn’t see it this time, going through the program itself. (Not seeing any such screen, I thought it would remember my original choice.) I was watching it carefully during the update process and there was no opt-out screen; but yes, I did get called away during the install, after the reboot; so by Murphy’s law, it had to happen then…

I used the word ‘force’ appropriately; I almost had to shut down my computer to get it to stop. Finally I used the Esc key, and that worked.

Sorry lion7718, I didn’t see your post when I sent mine. Well, now I know what to do anyway!

Yes I had the same problem. When updating Avast (paid for version) on XP you do NOT get a warning that those interfering b*****s at Google are loading Chrome onto your PC without your knowledge or consent.

Avast should be ashamed of themselves for being party to such actions when they are there to protect their internet users from external interference.

PS. I have XP SP3 already loaded on my machine and it makes no difference.

Google isn’t loading Chrome on your PC, the Avast installer is (Chrome is bundled with Avast, by Avast)…if you don’t uncheck it on the opt-out screen during installation.

As mentioned before, it’s called “bundling”, and it is now a common practice for many software vendors…

Well the choice of an opt-in would be to be preferred to an opt-out,
Again this may not be Google’s idea of bundling Google Chrome with avast!
And they set their terms!
Unchecked you are never to worry about it.
By the way Google Chrome with the right extensions installed can be considered a very secure browser.
As I write these words to you inside this browser right now.
Also the use of it might come as a relief for those who are obliged to work with Blue E all the time during working hours.

polonus

Not the case for every XP machine as I have updated my moms XP laptop and have never seen it silently install Chrome without the option to uncheck the two boxes after a reboot.

Moral of the story, always, always, always take the time to carefully read the screens that are put up by various installers and programs.

Don’t just hit the biggest button.

Where does “aggressive” marketing end and “predatory” begin? This “opt out” approach is certainly near that threshold somewhere.

-Noel

And you can add to that "Never install using the “Typical” option, always choose “Custom”

jwoods301 you miss the point entirely, I know it is not actually Google doing the loading as it is obviously coming from the Avast update server. My criticism is of Avast for colluding with Google by downloading stuff you dont need or want when they should be protecting their users from spurious downloads. If I wanted Chrome I’d go to Google and ask for it.

Also jwoods301 I know it is called “bundling” and is common practice, but just because it has a name it does not make it right or desirable. It merely overloads inexperienced users with rubbish they dont need and dont know how to get rid of.

Amen to that…it is like going to a restaurant and being asked what you want to eat and your answer is “just bring me something”. Guessing folks may be disappointed what they put in their mouth most of the time…so it puzzles me that people are naive enough to think that a “typical” install is in their best interests. I find many folks don’t like a “custom install” because they are not sure what to check or uncheck. To me, and not trying to be too harsh, if you care so little about what is being put on your machine and don’t want to do the research then you are asking for trouble. These days with all the Malware, Viruses, Crytpolock, ID theft, or at minimum intrusive software that is almost impossible to remove why someone would not take 15-30minutes to go onto a Forum or Google about issues about a software is beyond me. Some time up front can save your 10x the time or worse catastrophic effects on the backend.