How to disable gestures (charms bar, edge swipes, etc...) without changing the registry

Hey, David,

Sorry I don't have any better ideas to offer - I do find the website useful, but it of course is good fro people to be aware of the "crapware" ((as I call it)) installers.  I forgot to include that info in my first mention of SourceForge, only because I've been using it for so long that it unfortunately slipped my mind.  I also just  forget that we all know, and don't know, different things..

I had the thought that the registry entries could be found and deleted by CCleaner, but then I realized that a person has to already have an understanding of the Windows Registry or else one risks deleting things which are useful.  I don't know whether there is any central library/repository the lists "crapware" with instructions on how to avoid it, and clean it if it's been accidentally installed.  Ideally, a web page like that would exist on MicroSoft, but if it does (which I doubt), it's *very* well hidden  :p  There are people do try to set up useful info on websites, but the info is scattered all over and, as we all know, can be very difficult to find...

I did a search, and a lot of the articles are only marginally useful.  But I did find this, which has a link to what is supposed to be a Chrome cleaner:

http://www.howtogeek.com/198377/crapware-finds-a-new-way-to-trick-users-to-install-browser-extensions/

There is another page at the same site which discusses the problem in more general terms:

http://www.howtogeek.com/207692/yes-every-freeware-download-site-is-serving-crapware-heres-the-proof/

I'm trying to find the original post so I can also tell that individual about the link.

Meanwhile, although you certainly make an important point, I just don't know how to solve the problem of there not being any central tutorial page regarding the basic info needed to get rid of junkware, bloatware, crapware, and so on.  Most I came across are trying to sell their own "cleaners", and I don't think that's at all a good answer, because too often, people end up just getting fooled twice.

Hi moonbird,

Thanks for the reply, and for understanding not everyone has the savvy to avoid these items.

I ran into a problem downloading the free version Nero MediaHome. There did not appear to be a way to not get the unwanted software. Luckily my Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removed it.

Just not unchecking an "EXPRESS INSTALL" can have bad results.

In the first link the person recognized his mistake, then had a difficult time removing the problem. That is the kind of thing that I find distressing.

Hi, David,

All I can say is that I've not personally had a problem, but then, I haven't downloaded a *lot* of things.  I also have all downloads automatically scanned. 

ALSO, though, I *never* "opt in" to *anything* - I learned that lesson about 5 years ago, though I don't even remember what the particular download was. 

I also tend to open and check web pages' source code if I notice any discrepancies between the link I'm expecting, and the link that shows in my info bar ((I use Status4Evar with FIrefox)).

So, you're correct in reminding us all that one has to be savvy, and *very* cautious, not just about downloads but also, about those sneaky little checkboxes...!

Hello Moonbird,

 I have not posted on this thread for some time. But I still get emails from it. In your post you mention SourceForge.com - I googled it and found some very negative reviews. I am hoping you might read these two links and reply to me with your thoughts.

http://blog.tedd.no/2014/11/25/sourceforge-malware/

http://blog.gluster.org/2013/08/how-far-the-once-mighty-sourceforge-has-fallen/