Avoid extras when installing free software

I haven't seen something like this before on this forum, but it is very helpful. Almost every windows 7 computer encounters these problems, especially since Adobe flash player is so popular
How to Avoid Installing Junk Programs When Downloading Free Software

Something else I found that I hadn't noticed before, but you can lock your toolbars
How to Prevent Addon Toolbars in IE | eHow

*If anyone found a better website with this info, post, and I may update mine

That stuff was new to me. My antivirus (NOD 32) warns me about that kind of junk.

Thanks for the info.

UsernameIssues said:

I wish that I could find a way to block tool bars from being installed/displayed. Locking the toolbar does not seem to help a bit. I tested with the AOL toolbar and one from Yahoo. :-(

What version of IE are you using? I can't test this myself at the moment cause I'm on a different computer. Did you lock the toolbar as described? and both yahoo and AOL still are able to get their toolbars running on your machine?

All of the games from gog.com have bundled software- a consequence to getting the games cheap and without DRM. I got a Malwarebytes positive when it picked up a trace of the Softonic package in the temp folder, even though I didn't install the extra stuff.

N64 emulator Project 64 also packs in Delta. Not that it's a great emulator to begin with, if you don't have a super high end video card you're better off with a real N64.

Unfortunately the majority of people do not pay attention during the install process,
UAC warns them doesn't mean anyone reads even that :)
Unless you lock your toolbar you would always see the drag lines on the toolbar,

Even "if" a user locks the toolbar will not help these junkbars from changing settings,
When they install your accepting the Default settings and they will alter any existing preferences/ Refer to the UAC warning popup
This is the most accurate way to deal with Adobe flash,
How to configure your Flash Player settings for maximum privacy and security
Java ?
Never install it works for me ?

ThrashZone said:

Java ?
Never install it works for me ?

No, few programs need java, and frankly, security takes a hit with it installed. It used to be very popular until developers took a different path. It is still pretty popular with some games on the web and a few software installations.

Java is Insecure and Awful, It’s Time to Disable It, and Here’s How

Be aware that sometimes the "Next" and "Back" are replaced with "Accept" and "Decline" buttons.

These are arranged so that if you keep clicking on the button that is in the position that the "Next" button usually occupies, you will "Accept" the crapware install.

^ Great point.

I especially like it when they automatically check the box for you, make it really tiny, and hide it in some corner amidst a scramble of licensing wording.

The link in the orignal post looks fine but it's a bit off putting when the first thing you see when you click the link is an advert for Google Chrome the biggest collector of info for onward selling to others I have seen in some time!