A warning about the new Google Browser Chrome

[Talk Host]

The two top internet browsers are Internet Explorer and FireFox. I have used both, I like Firefox.

Google has just released it's own browser called "Chrome." I downloaded "Chrome" to try it. I didn't like it at all (my personal preference). So, I uninstalled it. But wait.................................it uninstalled, but it didn't let go.

Google "Chrome" changed all of my default browser files in my registry to "Chrome." The uninstall didn't change the registry back to where it was. As a result, none of my hyperlinks would work. They tried to find "Chrome" but couldn't. I had to go into the registry and manually find the HTM File extensions with "Chrome" and change them back to FireFox. It took me over an hour to get it done.

I researched on the internet and found that I am not alone, it is a normal problem with "Chrome"

These people need to go to prison.

[mgm4444]

just wondering if a System Restore - restoring files back say.... 24 hours... would have worked??

thanks for the tip on Chrome !

[Talk Host]

just wondering if a System Restore - restoring files back say.... 24 hours... would have worked??

thanks for the tip on Chrome !

Yes it would, for five days. With the Vista and newer operating systems you are defaulted to only a 5 day restore, unless you have deliberately set a restore point. (Which none of us do). So I was past the five days when I chose to uninstall it.

[Talk Host]

Are you all ready for this? Here are the instructions that Google gives for uninstalling "Chrome."

1. Make sure extensions are displayed for your files. Here's how:
1. Go to the Start menu > Control Panel.
2. Double-click Folder Options.
3. Click View.
4. Make sure the "Hide extensions for known file types" checkbox is deselected.
2. Right-click this link.
3. Click Save Link as and save the file name as remove.reg. (Select "All files" as your file type.)
4. Exit Google Chrome completely.
5. Double-click remove.reg on your desktop.
6. In the confirmation window, click Yes.
7. Click OK.
8. Go to the Start menu > Run.
9. Enter one of the following commands in the text field, depending on your operating system:
* Windows XP:%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google
* Windows Vista: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google
10. Delete the Chrome folder in the directory that opens.

Google Chrome should now be uninstalled.

[champion6]

Note to self... don't uninstall Chrome. Just leave it alone and continue to use FF and IE.

[mitchbr47]

The two top internet browsers are Internet Explorer and FireFox. I have used both, I like Firefox.

Google has just released it's own browser called "Chrome." I downloaded "Chrome" to try it. I didn't like it at all (my personal preference). So, I uninstalled it. But wait.................................it uninstalled, but it didn't let go.

Google "Chrome" changed all of my default browser files in my registry to "Chrome." The uninstall didn't change the registry back to where it was. As a result, none of my hyperlinks would work. They tried to find "Chrome" but couldn't. I had to go into the registry and manually find the HTM File extensions with "Chrome" and change them back to FireFox. It took me over an hour to get it done.

I researched on the internet and found that I am not alone, it is a normal problem with "Chrome"

These people need to go to prison.

Sorry to hear about your experiences. I installed it on my mac this past weekend with no issues (so far). It is beta software whether running on a PC or a Mac. The mac version was released much later than the Windows version so maybe the coding bugs were addressed. So a person is taking their chances. Fortunately I had no problems with my other browsers; Firefox and Safari. I felt Chrome was fast and secure. Plus I like how it handled downloads. I always backup before installing new software. I don't live on the cutting edge with software and upgrades like I did in the past. I'd rather let others get the bugs out first.

[tpop1]

There has been a lot of chatter out on the Tech web sites expressing concern over Google's Chrome browser's gathering of data on users.

Apparently it collects and saves the history of addresses visited in centralized data bases to be used by Google Co.

That Google would have centralized data on user's browsing history, what sites you have visited (that's all sites you have visited), is viewed by many as a major privacy issue.

I'll pass, thanks.

[Xavier]

I've had Chrome on my computer since it was first offered. I've also had IE8 from it's first Beta offering. I have had absolutely not conflicts or problems at all. I did do a little checking around and what I have noticed is more frequent conflicts between Chrome and Fire Fox.

I'm pretty sure that System Restore on my laptop is daily as a check poiint and always before before a major install. I really can't remember setting it up that way. Last week I updated the VZAccess Manager software for my MiFi 2200 and it just didn't work well. I did serveral System Restores without success with that specific problem. Finally had to uninstall it manually and reinstall the original software which is on the device itself. Sometimes "stuff" just happens. Ya gotta move on and put in the experience file of your brain. The journey is half the fun.

[Talk Host]

Sometimes "stuff" just happens.

Yes, and sometimes "stuff" is created by others with concern for how users might be adversely affected. I'm glad you are having a good experience with Chrome. I didn't and the instructions for uninstall above would be a nightmare for most causal users.

[Regor]

I have been a Chrome user for several months and I feel that it outshines both FF and IE8 in rendering graphic web pages. I uninstalled Chrome after reading your post and had none of problems that you had. All hyperlinks, etc. worked fine. Of course I did a simple "Make FF my default browser" prior to the uninstall. I am using Win7. Leave all 3 browsers on the computer. Why remove them? They only take up a small portion of memory.

[Russ_Boston]

I agree with Regor - should be no issue to just make either IE or FF your default browser again as long as you leave them all installed. This should resolve the linkages. But thanks for the heads up.

[Hawkwind]

Google keeps track of everywhere you go. I tried Chrome when it first came out and liked some of the features but did not like the tracking. I removed it and have stayed with IE with no problems.

[Xavier]

Google keeps track of everywhere you go. I tried Chrome when it first came out and liked some of the features but did not like the tracking. I removed it and have stayed with IE with no problems.

If you don't think everyone tracks your browsing on the Internet just go to any sites such as Overstock, Home Depot, HSBC, ING, AT&T, Verizon, etc and see if they don't pop up as ads on other sites. In IE8 click on NewTab and you'll see all of the sites you've visited just as you will in Chrome. It's the trade off you make. Google is very good at it, but so are many, many others. It goes with the territory. I have NOT seen the same thing happen with IE8's In-Private Browsing or Chrome's Incognito Browsing. That doesn't mean it isn't happening - I just haven't noticed it!

[Pturner]

Maybe Google should change it's slogan to "The new Big Brother and the Holding Co." :undecided: Remember them?

[Hawkwind]

If you don't think everyone tracks your browsing on the Internet just go to any sites such as Overstock, Home Depot, HSBC, ING, AT&T, Verizon, etc and see if they don't pop up as ads on other sites. In IE8 click on NewTab and you'll see all of the sites you've visited just as you will in Chrome. It's the trade off you make. Google is very good at it, but so are many, many others. It goes with the territory. I have NOT seen the same thing happen with IE8's In-Private Browsing or Chrome's Incognito Browsing. That doesn't mean it isn't happening - I just haven't noticed it!

When Chrome first came out a few of the computer programmers / hackers that I worked with took a serious look at the program and found many instances where Google was tracking. Now remember the basis of Google's business is tracking and a statical evaluation as to how many times a site has been hit.This is the basis for their ranking a site and where it appears on the first page of your search results. At the very top and on the right side are the sites that pay for every hit on their sites and that is followed by the free sites.

Everyone that I know that hs installed Chrome has removed the program, cleaned the registry and in some cases did a completer system rebuild just because of the Google tracking. The guys liked the speed of Chrome but the tracking was the killing point.

[Hawkwind]

Maybe Google should change it's slogan to "The new Big Brother and the Holding Co." :undecided: Remember them?

Oh yes. Have all the Janis albums on my server at home.