Unchecky - Down With Potentially Unwanted Programs
It has long been the norm that when installing software (and sometimes in other circumstances ) additional potentially unwanted programs are offered, such as a toolbar or “Internet defender”. Also often come across offers to change the start page or search engine. These suggestions are provided as part of the installation process and, as a result, an inexperienced user installs the entire set by default without suspecting anything. The result, I think, is known to all .
I have been thinking about this problem for a long time, and today I want to provide you with a solution - a program called Unchecky (from the English uncheck - uncheck). Details under the cut.
The idea of writing a program against toolbars and similar trash came to me a long time ago. The idea was, but I was not very attracted to the implementation. Over time, she might have been forgotten, but they constantly reminded me of this.
More than once, I visited friends who “do not know how to use a computer” and deleted dozens of toolbars, defenders, left registry cleaners, etc. At the same time, as the author of several programs, I received offers to build such garbage into my installers a couple of times, which I politely (or not so) refused.
And so, one fine day, I decided to realize my idea.
Here I was helped by the Softpedia website , which writes in detail which programs have what “bonuses” during installation, for example:
Offers to download or install software or components that the program does not require to fully function.
With the help of Google and a small script, I downloaded several hundred dirty installers, launched VM, and began to study animals. After a little analysis, I came to the conclusion that the most effective measure would be to uncheck the boxes programmatically, since almost all installers provide them.
A month later, I had the first working prototype, then the goal was to add support to the largest number of installers from my collection.
The result was a program called Unchecky , whose beta version is available for download.
This program can:
It all depends on how toolbar writers and other joys react to Unchecky. And this, in part, I think, depends on you. Unchecky is easy to get around, but on the other hand, and it will be easy for me to add support for the new checkmark.
I hope I can find enough free time to support the project. You can also participate financially if you liked the idea. I will also be glad to any tips and suggestions.
I have been thinking about this problem for a long time, and today I want to provide you with a solution - a program called Unchecky (from the English uncheck - uncheck). Details under the cut.
How it all started
The idea of writing a program against toolbars and similar trash came to me a long time ago. The idea was, but I was not very attracted to the implementation. Over time, she might have been forgotten, but they constantly reminded me of this.
More than once, I visited friends who “do not know how to use a computer” and deleted dozens of toolbars, defenders, left registry cleaners, etc. At the same time, as the author of several programs, I received offers to build such garbage into my installers a couple of times, which I politely (or not so) refused.
And so, one fine day, I decided to realize my idea.
Implementation
Here I was helped by the Softpedia website , which writes in detail which programs have what “bonuses” during installation, for example:
Offers to download or install software or components that the program does not require to fully function.
With the help of Google and a small script, I downloaded several hundred dirty installers, launched VM, and began to study animals. After a little analysis, I came to the conclusion that the most effective measure would be to uncheck the boxes programmatically, since almost all installers provide them.
A month later, I had the first working prototype, then the goal was to add support to the largest number of installers from my collection.
What happened
The result was a program called Unchecky , whose beta version is available for download.
This program can:
- Automatically uncheck.
Having Unchecky on hand is a good chance to install the program using the next-next-next-finish method, without changing the start page / search engine and without installing toolbars.
Of course, the program is not perfect, and may skip the checkmark, so I still do not recommend this installation method. - Warn.
Often, an unwanted sentence is disguised as an integral part of the installation - for example, clicking on next once again means agreeing to install the toolbar. Unchecky warns in such cases, reducing the chance of accidentally installing an unwanted program. - Automatically updated.
Unchecky, like AdBlock for the web, is not universal. It needs to be periodically adjusted for new installers. Since updates happen in the background, you, as a user, should not be bothered.
What will happen next
It all depends on how toolbar writers and other joys react to Unchecky. And this, in part, I think, depends on you. Unchecky is easy to get around, but on the other hand, and it will be easy for me to add support for the new checkmark.
I hope I can find enough free time to support the project. You can also participate financially if you liked the idea. I will also be glad to any tips and suggestions.
Only registered users can participate in the survey. Please come in.
And finally, a small poll. Will you use Unchecky?
- 14.4% I will be 318
- 50% I can handle it myself, but I’ll put 1102 to my friends
- 35.5% I will not 783