Blocking unwanted updates

[Don Nickell]

I know businesses have to make a profit, but why not from those NOT
living on a small retirement income? I've D/L'ed Adobe Reader V 8.2 and
suddenly I find Photo Deluxe had been installed behind my back. I can't
find it via the Control Panel Add/Remove so it must be buried where it
can't easily be seen. It's even a broken program, so even if I wanted
it, it doesn't work right.

Help would be appreciated,
Don

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I know businesses have to make a profit, but why not from those NOT
living on a small retirement income? I've D/L'ed Adobe Reader V
8.2 and suddenly I find Photo Deluxe had been installed behind my
back. I can't find it via the Control Panel Add/Remove so it must
be buried where it can't easily be seen. It's even a broken
program, so even if I wanted it, it doesn't work right.

If it was installed - it asked when you installed Adober Reader and you just
likely clicked 'next' through it - not catching the checkbox.

And why Adobe Reader 8.2? Do you mean Adobe Professional or Standard - not
Reader?

Adobe's latest Reader is 9.1.3...
http://www.adobe.com/go/gntray_dl_get_reader
(Be sure to uncheck the "Free Google Toolbar (optional)" if you don't want
it.)

By the way - this is a Microsoft Windows XP basics newsgroup - not an Adobe
(any product) newsgroup. Your problem is with Adobe - not Microsoft. ;-)

You can use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to get rid of its
remnants...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

As for your query (I suppose) from the subject - be more careful when
installing and if it installs a tag-along program - uninstall the program
you originally installed and complain to the proper company about it. ;-)

 

[Don Nickell]

If it was installed - it asked when you installed Adober Reader and you just
likely clicked 'next' through it - not catching the checkbox.

And why Adobe Reader 8.2? Do you mean Adobe Professional or Standard - not
Reader?

Adobe's latest Reader is 9.1.3...
http://www.adobe.com/go/gntray_dl_get_reader
(Be sure to uncheck the "Free Google Toolbar (optional)" if you don't want
it.)

By the way - this is a Microsoft Windows XP basics newsgroup - not an Adobe
(any product) newsgroup. Your problem is with Adobe - not Microsoft. ;-)

You can use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to get rid of its
remnants...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

As for your query (I suppose) from the subject - be more careful when
installing and if it installs a tag-along program - uninstall the program
you originally installed and complain to the proper company about it. ;-)

My question pertains to WinXP and how to block unwanted downloads. I
can't ask Adobe because they are the ones who are forcing the D/L on me.
I can't find out how to disable the addition of their Photo Deluxe update.

Why Adobe Reader 8.2? Because I simply don't care for it. It's great
for kids who like to play with anything they can get their hands on, but
I'm over 80 and don't have time for that playing.

I know about avoiding the Google Toolbar, I am using FF and have trouble
fighting AVG and their insistence on the AVG Toolbar. I want more than
a flock of toolbars and little room for the main info.

I hope that answers your questions.

How do I rephrase my question to get a pertinent response?

Thank you for your interest in my post,
Don

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I know businesses have to make a profit, but why not from those NOT
living on a small retirement income? I've D/L'ed Adobe Reader V
8.2 and suddenly I find Photo Deluxe had been installed behind my
back. I can't find it via the Control Panel Add/Remove so it must
be buried where it can't easily be seen. It's even a broken
program, so even if I wanted it, it doesn't work right.

If it was installed - it asked when you installed Adober Reader and
you just likely clicked 'next' through it - not catching the
checkbox.
And why Adobe Reader 8.2? Do you mean Adobe Professional or
Standard - not Reader?

Adobe's latest Reader is 9.1.3...
http://www.adobe.com/go/gntray_dl_get_reader
(Be sure to uncheck the "Free Google Toolbar (optional)" if you
don't want it.)

By the way - this is a Microsoft Windows XP basics newsgroup - not
an Adobe (any product) newsgroup. Your problem is with Adobe - not
Microsoft. ;-)
You can use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to get rid of its
remnants...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

As for your query (I suppose) from the subject - be more careful
when installing and if it installs a tag-along program - uninstall
the program you originally installed and complain to the proper
company about it. ;-)

My question pertains to WinXP and how to block unwanted downloads. I can't
ask Adobe because they are the ones who are forcing the D/L
on me. I can't find out how to disable the addition of their Photo
Deluxe update.
Why Adobe Reader 8.2? Because I simply don't care for it. It's
great for kids who like to play with anything they can get their
hands on, but I'm over 80 and don't have time for that playing.

I know about avoiding the Google Toolbar, I am using FF and have
trouble fighting AVG and their insistence on the AVG Toolbar. I
want more than a flock of toolbars and little room for the main info.

I hope that answers your questions.

How do I rephrase my question to get a pertinent response?

You got a pertinent response.

Microsoft has no way for you to stop a download/install you allowed - for
you override by allowing it.

Adobe forced *nothing* on you - and they are the place you look to for
information on how to manage their products. Adobe Reader 8.2 (Reader...
Not Standard or Professional) does not come with Photo Deluxe. You are
mistaken, incorrect, wrong.

When I asked about "Adobe Reader 8.2" --> it was because it is out-dated.
Adobe Reader 9.1.3 is the currrent version. If you don't have time for
playing - then there's no point in asking questions. You won't learn any
younger than you are right now.

Your age makes no difference. You assume you are older than me - you could
be incorrect. Not that it matters - age means very little in this
situation.

If you have trouble with the 'AVG Toolbar' - you should not have installed
it. I have AVG on a couple of machines - I have no toolbar. I have Avira
on others and do not get notifications I should upgrade to the full version.
*You* are in control - you just are missing the obvious at some points.

This is not a newsgroup for your problem. Your problem is not with Windows,
not with Microsoft. Your problem is with Adobe or AVG or your not being
careful when you install and/or not giving the necessary (or correct)
details when asking for blind assistance.

The Google Toolbar was mentioned so if you went ahead and updated to the
latest Adobe Reader (instead of messing with the outdated Adobe Reader) you
could avoid the 'hidden' install it does.

If you have given the correct information, here is my suggestion...

1) Uninstall Adobe Reader 8.x <- it's outdated.
2) Reboot.
3) Install the latest Adober Reader:
http://www.adobe.com/go/gntray_dl_get_reader
(Be sure to uncheck the "Free Google Toolbar (optional)" if you
don't want it installed. It's on the screen where you download it.)
4) Fix your AVG toolbar issue...
- Close all browser windows.
- Click on "Start" and highlight and click on "Control Panel."
- Click on "AVG" when the programs list opens, and click on "Remove."
- Complete the steps to uninstall the AVG anti-virus program.
- Restart your computer when the uninstall is complete.
- Go to the AVG website and download and re-install the AVG anti-virus
program. When you are installing, a screen will come up and ask you if you
want to install the toolbar or not. At this point, do NOT check the box (or
uncheck it) to install the toolbar, and continue the installation.
5) Continue learning/living.

 

[Don Nickell]

You got a pertinent response.

Thank you. I didn't know, it didn't seem like it at the time. I
thought users (MVPs) of this NG would know more about WinXP than I do,
and it's true, just that I'm too inexperienced to recognize it at the
time when it's subtle and appears to be putting me off.

Microsoft has no way for you to stop a download/install you allowed - for
you override by allowing it.

Adobe forced *nothing* on you - and they are the place you look to for
information on how to manage their products. Adobe Reader 8.2 (Reader...
Not Standard or Professional) does not come with Photo Deluxe. You are
mistaken, incorrect, wrong.

I did NOT install the Professional product. And if that I don't
understand the why and wherefore of the Photo Deluxe "upgrade". But
that's not your responsibility so I will have to, as you first said,
contact Adobe and ask them.

Thank you for your expert advise. I'll uninstall this NG and not
attempt to use it again for assistance. :-(

Over and out,
Don

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I know businesses have to make a profit, but why not from those NOT
living on a small retirement income? I've D/L'ed Adobe Reader V
8.2 and suddenly I find Photo Deluxe had been installed behind my
back. I can't find it via the Control Panel Add/Remove so it must
be buried where it can't easily be seen. It's even a broken
program, so even if I wanted it, it doesn't work right.

If it was installed - it asked when you installed Adober Reader and
you just likely clicked 'next' through it - not catching the
checkbox.
And why Adobe Reader 8.2? Do you mean Adobe Professional or
Standard - not Reader?

Adobe's latest Reader is 9.1.3...
http://www.adobe.com/go/gntray_dl_get_reader
(Be sure to uncheck the "Free Google Toolbar (optional)" if you
don't want it.)

By the way - this is a Microsoft Windows XP basics newsgroup - not
an Adobe (any product) newsgroup. Your problem is with Adobe - not
Microsoft. ;-)
You can use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to get rid of its
remnants...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

As for your query (I suppose) from the subject - be more careful
when installing and if it installs a tag-along program - uninstall
the program you originally installed and complain to the proper
company about it. ;-)

My question pertains to WinXP and how to block unwanted downloads. I can't
ask Adobe because they are the ones who are forcing the D/L
on me. I can't find out how to disable the addition of their Photo
Deluxe update.
Why Adobe Reader 8.2? Because I simply don't care for it. It's
great for kids who like to play with anything they can get their
hands on, but I'm over 80 and don't have time for that playing.

I know about avoiding the Google Toolbar, I am using FF and have
trouble fighting AVG and their insistence on the AVG Toolbar. I
want more than a flock of toolbars and little room for the main info.

I hope that answers your questions.

How do I rephrase my question to get a pertinent response?

You got a pertinent response.

Microsoft has no way for you to stop a download/install you allowed
- for you override by allowing it.

Adobe forced *nothing* on you - and they are the place you look to
for information on how to manage their products. Adobe Reader 8.2
(Reader... Not Standard or Professional) does not come with Photo
Deluxe. You are mistaken, incorrect, wrong.

When I asked about "Adobe Reader 8.2" --> it was because it is
out-dated. Adobe Reader 9.1.3 is the currrent version. If you
don't have time for playing - then there's no point in asking
questions. You won't learn any younger than you are right now.

Your age makes no difference. You assume you are older than me -
you could be incorrect. Not that it matters - age means very
little in this situation.

If you have trouble with the 'AVG Toolbar' - you should not have
installed it. I have AVG on a couple of machines - I have no
toolbar. I have Avira on others and do not get notifications I
should upgrade to the full version. *You* are in control - you just
are missing the obvious at some points.
This is not a newsgroup for your problem. Your problem is not with
Windows, not with Microsoft. Your problem is with Adobe or AVG or
your not being careful when you install and/or not giving the
necessary (or correct) details when asking for blind assistance.

The Google Toolbar was mentioned so if you went ahead and updated
to the latest Adobe Reader (instead of messing with the outdated
Adobe Reader) you could avoid the 'hidden' install it does.

If you have given the correct information, here is my suggestion...

1) Uninstall Adobe Reader 8.x <- it's outdated.
2) Reboot.
3) Install the latest Adober Reader:
http://www.adobe.com/go/gntray_dl_get_reader
(Be sure to uncheck the "Free Google Toolbar (optional)" if you
don't want it installed. It's on the screen where you download
it.) 4) Fix your AVG toolbar issue...
- Close all browser windows.
- Click on "Start" and highlight and click on "Control Panel."
- Click on "AVG" when the programs list opens, and click on
"Remove." - Complete the steps to uninstall the AVG anti-virus program.
- Restart your computer when the uninstall is complete.
- Go to the AVG website and download and re-install the AVG
anti-virus program. When you are installing, a screen will come up
and ask you if you want to install the toolbar or not. At this
point, do NOT check the box (or uncheck it) to install the toolbar,
and continue the installation. 5) Continue learning/living.

Thank you. I didn't know, it didn't seem like it at the time. I
thought users (MVPs) of this NG would know more about WinXP than I
do, and it's true, just that I'm too inexperienced to recognize it
at the time when it's subtle and appears to be putting me off.

I did NOT install the Professional product. And if that I don't
understand the why and wherefore of the Photo Deluxe "upgrade". But
that's not your responsibility so I will have to, as you first said,
contact Adobe and ask them.

Thank you for your expert advise. I'll uninstall this NG and not
attempt to use it again for assistance. :-(

Use this newsgroup - but use it for what it is for. Don't walk into a
dentist office and ask them to help you with your prostate. ;-)

No one said you installed the full version of Adobe - I said you were
obviously avoiding the fact you needed to contact the actual manufacturers
of your product and/or actually update your Adobe Reader to the 9.1.3
current version.

So - again...

1) Uninstall Adobe Reader 8.x <- it's outdated.
2) Reboot.
3) Install the latest Adober Reader:
http://www.adobe.com/go/gntray_dl_get_reader
(Be sure to uncheck the "Free Google Toolbar (optional)" if you
don't want it installed. It's on the screen where you download it.)
4) Fix your AVG toolbar issue...
- Close all browser windows.
- Click on "Start" and highlight and click on "Control Panel."
- Click on "AVG" when the programs list opens, and click on "Remove."
- Complete the steps to uninstall the AVG anti-virus program.
- Restart your computer when the uninstall is complete.
- Go to the AVG website and download and re-install the AVG anti-virus
program. When you are installing, a screen will come up and ask you
if you want to install the toolbar or not. At this point, do NOT
check
the box (or uncheck it) to install the toolbar, and continue the
installation.

 

[Anteaus]

I would have to agree with the OP that these parasitic toolbars are a damned
nuisance. Often I encounter machines that have acquired several of them
through updates to unrelated software, and the issue for the maintainer is
-Does the user actually WANT these things, or have they been foisted by
another site?

Answering this one means wasting time trying to contact the user before
proceeding. Which costs money. The other option is to zap the lot, which
might lead to complaints if (perhaps) one of them is essential to the user's
work.

I don't see any excuse for it either. Adobe makes its money from selling
Acrobat Writer. The reader is supplied FOC because without it there would be
no market for the writer. Sneaking other unrelated software onto computers is
a breach of trust.

 

[Borg 01010101]

FYI:
A "lot" of us have a great deal of trouble with this topic, & after spending
HOURS digging through MSFTs knowledge base, I can understand why sombody
would place their question in the wrong "cubby hole" at MSFT, msft "should"
be greatful that "we" trust it/them enough to try and get a question
answered, not take attitude about it. MSFT could do alot better with all the
resources they have at their command. I for one have never understood why
they make solving problems such a problem! When MSFT WANTS to do something,
its amazing how quickly they can "automatically" address everyones machine
["Bing!" is but the latest example, I'd list the rest but it would just make
me look like I was part of the "black helicopter crowd"] Somehow msft can
determine if a machine is underpowered to handle a particular app,
[silverlight like Live! before it seems to be an exception, with no
explanations forthcomming] now, is this "proprietary" or part of the
"windows" secret sauce? Or are some of these software companies just being
errr.. "Preoccupied"? [diplomacy was never my strong suit] I suspect alot
of us would understand if its the secret sauce stuff, & we're all "big boys"
here [sorry girls no sexism intended]. just tell us! OR make the rollback
system easy to remember/use when these apps make the machines go ga-ga! Over
the versions of Windows, since 95 anyway, there always seems to be an app
maker thats doing somthing msft either didn't think of or isnt addressing
memory the way msft wants or something [if we were a couple decades younger,
some of us would learn the programing, but that seems to be more art than
science] Just some random thoughts, as I too was looking to see if the
latest "adobe" thing would work on my machine when I came across this thread
[care to blame goog too?]
Best Regards

 

[Shenan Stanley]

FYI:
A "lot" of us have a great deal of trouble with this topic, & after
spending HOURS digging through MSFTs knowledge base, I can
understand why sombody would place their question in the wrong
"cubby hole" at MSFT, msft "should" be greatful that "we" trust
it/them enough to try and get a question answered, not take
attitude about it. MSFT could do alot better with all the
resources they have at their command. I for one have never
understood why they make solving problems such a problem! When
MSFT WANTS to do something, its amazing how quickly they can
"automatically" address everyones machine ["Bing!" is but the
latest example, I'd list the rest but it would just make me look
like I was part of the "black helicopter crowd"] Somehow msft can
determine if a machine is underpowered to handle a particular app,
[silverlight like Live! before it seems to be an exception, with no
explanations forthcomming] now, is this "proprietary" or part of
the "windows" secret sauce? Or are some of these software
companies just being errr.. "Preoccupied"? [diplomacy was never my
strong suit] I suspect alot of us would understand if its the
secret sauce stuff, & we're all "big boys" here [sorry girls no
sexism intended]. just tell us! OR make the rollback system easy
to remember/use when these apps make the machines go ga-ga! Over
the versions of Windows, since 95 anyway, there always seems to be
an app maker thats doing somthing msft either didn't think of or
isnt addressing memory the way msft wants or something [if we were
a couple decades younger, some of us would learn the programing,
but that seems to be more art than science] Just some random
thoughts, as I too was looking to see if the latest "adobe" thing
would work on my machine when I came across this thread [care to
blame goog too?]
Best Regards

I am not Microsoft nor do I represent Microsoft. I am a volunteer - this is
a peer-to-peer newsgroup.

 

[Jose]

I know businesses have to make a profit, but why not from those NOT
living on a small retirement income?  I've D/L'ed Adobe Reader V 8.2 and
suddenly I find Photo Deluxe had been installed behind my back.  I can't
find it via the Control Panel Add/Remove so it must be buried where it
can't easily be seen.  It's even a broken program, so even if I wanted
it, it doesn't work right.

Help would be appreciated,
Don

Uninstall your old version of Adobe Reader and install the current
version 9.1.

Unfortunatley some installations of free software (free is the key
word) will install other things you may not want or ever use. There
may not be a way to uninstall just the pieces you don't want without a
reinstall and not selecting unwanted things. Some things are not
optional.

If it is causing you a particular problem with the 9.1 version, then
address it - not in old versions.

Careful attention to the installation options and not choosing
unwanted pieces may prevent such things.

Did you agree to their End User License Agreement (EULA)?

Adobe End-User License Agreement

By downloading software of Adobe Systems Incorporated or its
subsidiaries ("Adobe") from this site, you agree to the following
terms and conditions. If you do not agree with such terms and
conditions do not download the software.