One of the reasons I quit Java development a while ago is that for years, each and every Java client update on Windows wants to install “add-ons” like Ask/Google/Yahoo toolbars, McAfee viruses, etc.
Many people have complained about it, just to name a few and show an on-line petition against it:
- A close look at how Oracle installs deceptive software with Java updates | ZDNet.
- Java scam: How Oracle and Ask profit from sneaky add-ons | The Industry Standard – InfoWorld.
- Oracle will continue to bundle ‘crapware’ with Java – Computerworld.
- Petition | Oracle Corporation: Stop bundling Ask Toolbar with the Java installer | Change.org.
There are many cumbersome ways around it:
- Manually download the right version of the silent offline installer, then run it.
- Download the offline installer, get java.msi from it, then make a GPO-deployment.
- Disable the auto-update check and script your own install.
- Silently Uninstall Java. Then don’t install it (a few friends were so fed up that they did this).
- Internet Explorer only: Disable third party browser extensions. But then you loose all other extensions as well.
Though suited for corporate installs, all of those are impractical when your friends keep calling “hey, how do I get rid of these toolbars” and you cannot control their complete install process.
Super User user Danilo Roascio made my day when wanting to get rid of that behaviour.
His registry way to prevent those installs is way easier!
It not only disables the installs of any sponsored add-on, the Java update does not even show the checkbox any more (so the install process is shorter).
This is what he answered: Read the rest of this entry »
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