New Photo & Graphic Designer 10 . Warning! Unwanted additional software...

Coastman wrote on 8/10/2014, 6:07 AM

This is not a question,it's a warning from a very dissatisfied customer of the new P&GD10 program. Be warned! In this new version,XARA are attempting to force you to download additional "totally free" software,in this case a program called "Simpliclean",which is suppused to scan your PC for all sorts of registry errors,etc. I opted NOT to download this program,as I already have other software for this purpose. However,this program STILL installed itself on my PC,which made me furious! But not as furious as when I tried it out: it ran the scan,and advised me that I had over 200 "problems" and that my PC Health was "poor". When I clicked to 'Fix all Problems', I was promptly informed that I had to PAY for the service; in other words,there's nothing 'free' about this sofware at all,and I've already uninstalled it!

Comments

nihon94 wrote on 8/10/2014, 7:59 AM

Thank you for sharing your experience. (may be someone do not like).

It would be much better if you would have mentioned from where you bought it? Did you complain with the vender yet?

In past I have used Xara products and they were free from problem.

nihon94

johnebaker wrote on 8/10/2014, 8:40 AM

I have just downloaded the software from the Xara site and installed it, unchecking the Simpliclean option and everything installed correctly with no installation of Simpliclean.

What source did you download the software from?

Downloading software from certain sources other then the official download site is always risky - there are many download sites which add extras to the download.

John

browj2 wrote on 8/10/2014, 11:25 AM

Further to John EB's answer, I had Simplicheck installed somehow by some other Magix program about a year ago. I just left it there. I don't recall whether or not I accepted the installation. Still, it is annoying. They also sold me, or rather bundled with another program as I would never purchase this, Magix PC Check & Tuning 2013, which is not really very good. I don't know why they bother with these things.

In your case, Simplicheck did as advertised, scanned your computer and registry, all for free. Oh, you want to "fix" things? Well of course that was not included. So yes, it scanned your computer for free.

Other than trying to help users who do not ever use any cleaning software and this is their only hope, especially if there are installation problems, I can't think of any other reason why Magix would get involved in these things. Ooops, of course, there may be some money to be made. Still, it is annoying.

If you purchased this directly from Magix and Simplicheck installed itself even after opting out, then you should send them a message. Of course, they will tell you that they can't replicate the problem.

I just purchased and installed Xara DPX10 and there was no mention of Simplicheck with that. Did you go through the Xara site or Magix site to make your purchase? I went through the Xara site.

Waiting to see your reply to John EB's answer.

Coastman wrote on 8/10/2014, 11:35 AM

Hi. I downloaded from their Website,via an Email link for the Special Introductory Offer. In the download for P&GD10,where it offered Simpliclean,I UNchecked the box,but it still installed. However,as I said,I have removed this prog. as you have to pay for it to work correctly. .After paying for the software I want,I I don't expect to be -asked to consider any other software! They say it's absolutely free,but to use its facilities,you have to pay for it. Magix/Xara have over-stepped the mark this time,and whilst I've always remained loyal to them,I'll definitely have second thoughts in future!

Coastman wrote on 8/10/2014, 11:39 AM

Incidentally,the other software that I have for these types of scans,informs me that my PC has "no issues"...not the supposed over-200 suggested by Simpliclean...it's a scam!

browj2 wrote on 8/10/2014, 12:00 PM

Magix PC Check & Tuning 2013 has a nice feature that tells me which of my Magix products have updates available. Nice, but it doesn't work as it still shows that I need to update even after updating. As I indicated, other than for money, Magix should keep out of this area where they seem to have little expertise.

I presume that you submitted a complaint to Magix.

I checked the Xara site for comments on Simplicheck. The most recent is 2013, I believe. Here is one of them. The problem has been around for quite a while.

johnebaker wrote on 8/10/2014, 12:07 PM

@Coastman

While the installation of Simplicheck may be a nuisance / annoyance - it is a relatively easy matter to uninstall it.

This is unlike one very well known manufacturer who makes it impossible not to download and install a whole suite of addons and extra toolbars which are not necessary to running their products on a PC.

Uninstalling has to be done piecemeal - the last time I had to do this there were 12+ installs to remove one by one.

Unfortunately it is common practice for software manufacturers to bundle additional programs, addons, toolbars and / or browser installers with their software.

. . . Incidentally,the other software that I have for these types of scans,informs me that my PC has "no issues"...not the supposed over-200 suggested by Simpliclean...it's a scam! . . .

You can use 3 different registry cleaners and they will all give different results - it all depends on what the software programmers consider as issues with the PC.

John