Illegally Installing Chrome

Our IT Department has identified this problem too.  Another user installed the flash update and it automatically installed Chrome and changed a lot of settings that our IT Department wasn't happy about that conflict with Outlook.  I thought that user left the checkbox checked.  A few days later, I encountered the same problem.  I have my update preferences set to notify me when updates are available.  I rebooted my computer and had the adobe update dialogue box with the notification and an 'update now?' option.  I selected yes, and I don't think it directed me to a webpage.  It just began the install, and when I saw it started to install Chrome, I hit the cancel install button to prevent the installation.  Today, I rebooted and got the notification screen and selected 'notify me later' to avoid the installation update.  I tried rebooting a couple additional times to see if I could get the update screen back, but I didn't.  (I don't know what triggers it again once I checked 'remind me later'.  Maybe its a set number of days, but doesn't seem to be based on a reboot).  If I can get a screenshot next time I will.  I am guessing that's what many people on here experienced - or maybe if they have their update settings to automatic, it may have just done the install.  If I go to 'check for updates' from the adobe icon in control panel, it directs me to the website with the 'install google chrome' checkbox. 

I think to troubleshoot the issue, you have to see what happens with those options selected when the 'update is available' screen appears. 

This is still happening.

No options given just installs Google Toolbar and Chrome without asking.

Most of the posters on this forum are tech savvy (they noticed the underhand install) and therefore know how to disable or uninstall these things.

However the vast majority of people will just get another add-on, taking up screen real estate and confusing them - believe me I've worked in IT Support.

Adobe protest that the install of Google Toolbar without any option is a software issue which they are unable to recreate.

Well it's been four months now.  More than long enough to identify and rectify the issue.

Flash Player should just quietly update itself without installing other sofware.

This sort of stealthy installation annoys those that understand, confuses those that don't and damages the reputation of both Adobe and Google.

This is bad enough on a single person basis, but becomes a major issue for company IT support. I am constantly getting calls from people unable to open links in Outlook. This is happening because Adobe Flash updates are installing Google Chrome. and once Chrome is installed and uninstalled links in Outlook no longer work. To repair it you have to go into the registry and make several changes to fix it.

I have had at least 50 people tell me that they were not given an option to not install Chrome. Whether this is correct ot not I am not sure. Perhaps they are just not noticing the check box, but regardless it is costing a lot of time and company money.

Google has been informed of this issue long ago and has not fixed the problem with Chrome. Therefore Adobe needs to stop this shady practice of sneaking (hardly noticable check marks or not) Chrome onto peoples computers during software updates. I realize Adobe needs to make money to continue to support their software, but this is causing a lot of headaches for IT staff like myself.

Had exactly the same thing happen to me 20 minutes ago!  Windows updated when I restarted my laptop, and there was the red dialogue box offering to update Flash.  There were no boxes to uncheck.  I clicked to update, my browser opened, and took me to a page that, again, had no boxes to uncheck.  I was dumbfounded when the installation was underway, and I saw that Chrome was being installed.  It was the first mention I had seen of Chrome!

Not only does Adobe force Google Chrome, and Google Toolbar on you. But Adobe also hijacks your system and makes Chrome your default browser (all this without asking... doesn't even give the option)

Yes, this is illegal. This kind of hijacking/bullying should be stopped! Adobe doesn't respect the rights of its users.

P.S. Not only does Adobe Flash Player do this, but also if you install Adobe Reader it also does this. Obviously Adobe is using this illegal tactic in more than one of its downloadable applications.

I didn't install anything on your computer; you did!

And I cannot prevent you from not unchecking the clearly visible checkbox.

Nor from not using the offline installers, which links are posted at least a dozen times here every day.