Solved Legal or not..? Unasked for software riding in on downloads.

[lehnerus2000]

VM First

Just a tip, create a System Restore Point before you Download. Try to uncheck all of the crap in the download, but if you miss some, you can always do a System Restore to before you did the Download.

Agreed.

Or make an image of your System. I've found System Restore to be unreliable in the past and no longer use it; in fact, I've turned it off. I've never had a problem restoring an image.

Agreed.
A backup HDD/SSD Image is superior to a System Restore Point.

Another option is to:

• Create a VM (e.g. using VMware Player) and store it safely
• Copy the VM
• Install the program into the copy.
• Check the install and test the program

If you are satisfied with the installer's/program's behaviour, you can then install it in your physical machine (after taking the appropriate backup measures).

 

[sygnus21]

I personally think that's a bit much; sure there's always the what if, but for the most part a simple uninstall and/or system restore is all that's necessary.

And I've got a completely opposite experience with system restore as I use it all the time for questionable or trial programs. Works like a champ in both W7 & 8/8.1.

I've found System Restore to be unreliable in the past and no longer use it; in fact, I've turned it off. I've never had a problem restoring an image.

I can't really see why it needs to be turned off considering the benefits it provides. If you need more space, you can always adjust it's size.

That's me though

 

[Layback Bear]

I use restore points when I do a lot of tinkering and have no problems with it. I actually think it is one of the great things in Windows 7.

 

[sygnus21]

Yeah, you could think of it as a built in digital erasure

 

[lehnerus2000]

Mostly ...

I personally think that's a bit much; sure there's always the what if, but for the most part a simple uninstall and/or system restore is all that's necessary.

Most of the time that does work.
When it doesn't, you are "s*** out of luck" if you don't have an alternative repair option.

I have experienced issues that could only be solved by re-imaging my OS.

You can never have too many backups (number and varieties).

Drivers can't be tested in VMs.
In the past, Driver Roll-back has failed for me.
IMO, you should always create a backup HDD/SSD Image, before you attempt to update drivers.

When I had a NVidia card in my PC, there was a period (2010-2011) when every 2nd update caused problems and I had to remove it.

VMs are useful for testing programs.
If I download a program, but I'm not sure if it's going to be useful, I install it in a VM.
If it isn't "up to scratch", I know not to install it on my physical system.

 

[sygnus21]

We all have our way of doing things. And backups are SOP (standard operating procedures) so that goes without saying. In fact I use Acronis True Image (now 2014) for those, and have it automatically run on a schedule.

That said, in my personal usage, I've never been in a position in all my years to have to regularly re-image or constantly use backups. I guess my computing habits are a bit different.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I use restore points when I do a lot of tinkering and have no problems with it. I actually think it is one of the great things in Windows 7.

You've been lucky. I have had it fail on me several times.

 

[lehnerus2000]

And backups are SOP (standard operating procedures) so that goes without saying.

Unfortunately that's not quite right.

I suspect that the majority of computer users have never even thought about backing up their PC data and are unaware of how easy it actually is.
That is supported by the number of threads (on this very forum) that say, "Something happened to my PC and I've lost all of my files. How do I get them back?"

My friend has been using PCs for over 20 years and he doesn't know what a HDD image is (I've explained it several times).
In fact his current problems could have been easily solved, if he had taken my advice on how to set up his PC when he first got it (i.e. using partitions and creating backup images).

That said, in my personal usage, I've never been in a position in all my years to have to regularly re-image or constantly use backups. I guess my computing habits are a bit different.

I guess it depends on our definitions of "constantly".

Since it only takes ~7 minutes to re-image my OS, I generally use that as my first option, if I need to fix something.

It normally takes me multiple times as long to:

1. Start the Browser
2. Perform searches (search engines are horrible these days)
3. Check the result links
4. Read the information
5. Select the correct solution (possibly after repeating steps 2 - 4 several times)
6. Implement the solution

Once I've done all of that I usually say to myself, "I should have just re-imaged my PC."


These days I only search the Internet for answers, if it turns out that the problem actually started more than 6 months ago, but I hadn't noticed it (i.e. it relates to a seldom used function/tool).

I usually don't keep my OS images for more than 6 months (I do keep my initial clean install images for much longer though).

 

[sygnus21]

I can't speak for anybody else, I can only speak for me. And for me, backups are SOP. I learned my lesson a long time ago when I accidentally overwrote my OS drive while trying to format a spare.

When I told my co-workers what happened, they slapped me silly (verbally), and ever since then I've been a firm believer in backups. It only takes one time to lose everything, and from there you learn.

So yeah, for me... SOP

And again, for me, I only use images when I absolutely have to. As I said, I usually don't do stuff that require frequent uses of images, no matter the definition. And usually, when I get to a point that I need to use an image, I'm usually at the restore OS point than; and that's usually a system rebuild. Sure I have images, but I rarely use them.

Again, that's me.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I make a system image on my desktop once a week and just before I make any kind of a change in settings, install a program, etc. making an image takes me around 9-10 minutes because of the huge hiberfil.sys file (24GB; I have 32GB RAM) on my boot drive (I need to keep Hibernate activated since my UPS uses it to shut down my computer without losing my work). I keep them all for one month, after which I keep only the first one in each month. I also made an image when I first installed Win 7 and installed all the updates; that one I can use if I ever decide to go back to square one. It will be faster than a true clean install.

I save the images to a folder on the main data drive on my computer. That gets backed up when I backup the data drive. I generally restore from the image stored on the drive in the computer because it's easy to get to.

I don't restore an image very often but the few times I have, it saved my ample asset.

 

[Jacee]

Mise à jour du fichier HOSTS filtrant effectué
From malekal's website, translated into English, if you're interested:
Google Translate

About malekalmorte
He's all about fighting malware!

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't believe that anybody said you can't use restore points and backups. I use both. I have never had to use a backup or do a clean install except when building a new computer.
I'm one of the lucky ones.

 

[andrew129260]

I just want to chime in not once did I ever have a system restore point fail since xp. I especially keep system restore turned on in windows 7 and vista due to the previous versions feature. Its a great way to restore lost files instead of pulling out the backup. Also is a great way to undo unwanted changes to files really quick.

Of course, the idiots at Microsoft decided in windows 8 & (.1) to remove shadow copies (previous versions) which is exactly why my company (and other reasons) will not move to 8 & (.1), and neither will I. The feature is very useful. I/we do not rely on it completely, but its a great quick way to restore lost files and other file issues.

My backup procedure:

2 internal drives. One normal system os and files. Second drive is for image backups and file backups.

External drive with personal files backed off offsite location.

 

[margrave]

Or get Sandboxie. Before installing an app "for real", install it in the sandbox. If it's crap ... if it's malware ... if it hosts "associate" programs ... you can just delete the sandbox, leaving no remnant of the installed app(s).

 

[andrew129260]

Sandboxie isn't perfect though. But I agree, that does work most of the time.

 

[gregrocker]

Periodically check your Programs and Features list to uninstall anything you don't recognize - if in doubt open from All Programs to see if it's something you want, google it to see if it's System-related, or ask here.

Also occasionally check your browser Add-Ons list to Disable all but Flash Player. Anything else will notify if it's needed and you can decide via google then. I haven't run security-risk Java for several years and only needed it once to answer a survey.

If you find sneakware in either place after uninstalling be sure to run AdwCleaner per Jacee or SUPERAntiSpyware since many are written to live on in registry keys once uninstalled, and these programs can root them out as deep as they hide.

 

[kado897]

I find that RPs do work but you need to disable your AV first.

 

[Layback Bear]

Not with Microsoft Security Essentials. I leave it and Malwarebytes Anti Malware Professional running and Restore Points work just fine.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I find that RPs do work but you need to disable your AV first.

Ok, I'm having a senior moment (and will probably hate myself when I get the answer) but what is a RP?

 

[gregrocker]

Restore Point?

I have restored before accidental SneakWare install and it seemed to work OK, although I didn't need to disable MSE.

There are risks to restoring if there is infection involved since it can get into Restore Points. So I'd scan for infection first just to be safest.