Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

How to I comment/complain about a file downloaded from CNET?

Aug 27, 2011 2:25AM PDT

I downloaded QuickPDFConverter from CNET. In spite of doing a custom install and declining all options for toolbars and such, it installed a toolbar, tried to change my default search provider, and attempted to set something?? to start when Windows starts. Uninstalling QuickPDFConverter using Revo uninstaller revealed lots of Registry junk after the normal uninstall, and the unrequested toolbar was not removed.

I have tools in place, many downloaded from CNET, to deal with the unwanted aspects of this installation and was not hurt. Still, I expect better from CNET.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Did you download
Aug 27, 2011 3:11AM PDT

The CNET secure downloader or QuickPDFConverter. CNET has a new policy that states to download programs you have to first download what they are calling a secure downloader or log in as a user and then download the program so they can track what you are using. When you look at the download button of the program they make the font for the secure downloader REALLY BIG and the font for logging in to download the true installer really small. It has been discussed in many of the forums. CNET is making the claim that if you do a custom install these should not happen. Your the second person to report that the secure downloader change things when told not to. The link below will point you to other person who had these things changed after removing the check from the boxes.

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6132_102-538614.html

You can check this link to read other post about this secure downloader.

http://forums.cnet.com/download-site-feedback-forum/

You can go to other forums and find other post that people have made on this but these should explain what is going on.

- Collapse -
Unrelated - that app doesn't use the CNET 'secure installer'
Aug 27, 2011 11:13AM PDT

Rather, the toolbar is part of the developer's installer. Testing it myself, the "Somoto Toolbar" was installed for both Internet Explorer and Firefox, despite my selection of the custom install option. The installer discloses a 'Quick PDF Converter Toolbar,' but Somoto was never mentioned. In my opinion, that's a violation of CNET's terms, subject to removal from download.com, and I am reporting it as such.

John

- Collapse -
Glad you caught that
Aug 27, 2011 11:42AM PDT

With the new wrapper by CNET download.com I just went straight to finger pointing. My apologies for pulling the trigger to fast.

- Collapse -
Answer
Thanks for reporting this.
Aug 30, 2011 2:48AM PDT

I reported this to the Download team and the title has been removed.

Thanks again!
-Lee