Every time the Bing toolbar update shows up under non-essential updates I right click it, select ‘hide update’ and it goes away for a couple days (if that). Then it comes slinking back in like John Hodgeman wearing a slightly different hat.
Is there any registry hack or other trick I can use to get it to stop asking once and for all?
Assuming you want it gone completely, I’d check under add/remove programs in the Control Panel.
Once it’s off the system, it should stop trying to update.
After that, just be careful not to re-install it with anything.
I know for a fact that I don’t have it installed now. But my experience is essentially the same as Rhythmdvl’s.
I don’t know of any trick. Frankly, I don’t think there is any trick. It’s not as if Microsoft was obligated to give a rat’s ass about our preference not to load their cross-branded shite. We made our choice by buying and installing the OS. In their minds, we’re probably getting better than we deserve just by having the mere opportunity to refuse, even if we have to keep repeating it.
This.
looks into it a bit more
Oh, it’s associated with Microsoft.
Nope - you’re gonna be stuck with it forever, or at least until they lose another anti-trust lawsuit.
I hate threads where I agree with everyone.
:rolleyes:
Install it and then disable it.
I did this with a new laptop I recently purchased. You go into the list of programs that run automatically on start up (I can’t think of the name right now) and uncheck it.
I am not sure that I understand what the problem is here. Sure, every time WIndows Update runs it gives me an option to install Bing Toolbar, but all I have to do to not get it is not check the box asking for it, i.e., nothing. It could hardly be easier! It is not even like it is pre-checked and you have to uncheck it.
For the umpteenth time I find myself wishing I had the balls to move to Linux. But alas, old dogs, new tricks, woof woof.
Dude, what do you use your computer for? If it isn’t “for my job at Microsoft or a company that mandates Microsoft”, switching to another OS just isn’t that big a deal. Try it, they allow you to run Linux from your CD drive without any permanent changes to your current configuration.
Really, just home use. Is it that simple now? I recall checking it out some years ago and it all looked a little arcane. Running the whole shebang from CD sounds ideal, I’ll check that out.
For the casual user switching to another OS is an extreme suggestion, and an incredibly big deal.
As Unpronounceable suggests the correct approach is to uninstall the bing toolbar. Software that is not installed cannot try to update.
Sure it can. It’s something that’s a part of Windows Update. Just about anytime there’s an update for Windows, the Bing Bar shows up as an optional install. Hiding it only works until there’s a next general update. Yeah, you don’t ever have to check it, but it’s annoying. Microsoft sometimes puts real stuff in the optional updates section, so it’s a bother to constantly see “1 optional update” and look only to find the Bing bar.
Apple does just about the same thing with Quicktime and iTunes. I have Quicktime installed, I do not have and do not want iTunes, yet every time there’s an update to Quicktime, it wants me to install iTunes as well.
Not nearly as annoying as Java having the “Ask Me” toolbar checked everytime there’s a security update, but it would be nice if there was a “don’t call me, I’ll call you” option.
He’s right though that the MS auto-update suggests you install it, even if it isn’t yet.
Similarly, every Adobe reader patch tries to sneak in McAfee crapware.
Could I be more disappointed that nobody ran with the “bra” typo in the title? 
I just assumed that that was what all the cool kids were calling it.
I don’t write this as a recommendation for everyone or indeed for anyone at all, just that it works for me and has many benefits, including not being the least bit concerned about whether or not Microsoft “supports” Win XP any more.
I disable Windows Update. Period. On my Win 7 systems, and on my XP systems. I would also disable them on Win 8 systems if I had any but I don’t, which is perhaps proof that there is a God. I download specific updates if and when I hear about specific benefits they might bring me, including urgent security updates which are rare, or specific feature updates. Otherwise, nada.
I have the following benefits:
-
Stuff doesn’t break randomly.
-
Stuff doesn’t get installed that I don’t want.
-
I have not the slightest concern that Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows XP. I haven’t downloaded a Windows XP update since probably sometime around 2005, or a Windows 7 update in about a year or more.
I have the following disadvantages/risks:
- None.
I have had the occasional rare virus intrusion attempts and port scan attacks. All are taken care of by the appropriate protective software and firewalls. And all would have been attempted anyway, and would have failed anyway.
msconfig
Your computer doesn’t slow down when you’re doing something important.
Your computer doesn’t restart without warning.
When you need to shut down now, you don’t get stuck on “Installing update 1 of 132”.
Check out Linux Mint. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.