For those interested - Google Chrome

Hi all

FYI!

I often install Betas of programs I think I will use. With full knowledge/acceptance that it is a beta.

In doing so I take the precautions of System restore and an ERUNT registry back up.

After testing or perhaps when Alpha comes along I use the following steps to un-install the Beta. In fact these steps I use to un-install any program.

1. Un-install with REVO Advanced.

2. Windows disk search for names I know related to this program. Example: Google*.* Chrome*.* and delete these.

3. Do a Regseeker search for Google then Chrome.

4. Then a final general Registry clean.

Note: So I could clean I also un-installed the Google Toolbar which I had been intending to do anyway, so that I could remove all found traces of Google on Disk and in Registry without pick and chose.

I had previously manually removed the Google updater right after installing Chrome.

OK for Chrome.

It did completely un-install with the above procedure with no issues.

OK the reason I un-installed was the introduction of Chrome Portable. I love Portable APP's. I already use Portable Opera 9.52 and Portable Firefox 3.01. Plus many other non browser portables like CClean, Unlocker, IZarc and more etc.

After installing and using Chrome Portable I rechecked and found a very minimum of files and registry items compared to the full installer version I had.

I find nothing really special about Chrome yet except its clean look but no problems either!

I think most who want to test Chrome should go portable!

Mike

 

Mike,
I had not checked the Portable page, so I will go for it. I use FF3.0.1 portable, which is my default.

 

Hi Mike

I think one of the issues we need to bear in mind is that "most" folks do not take the precautions you have mentioned before installing programs (particularly betas) and later when trying to uninstall them. Therefore, they end up with orphan files, redundant files, short-cuts leading nowhere and a host of other problems. Furthermore, it seems to me that most folks who do install betas do so without any real plan or reasonable intention other than... it's new... it's different... let's see what it looks like. To my way of thinking, this is somewhat foolhardy and that is why I strongly recommend that most folks do not install betas. Now I hasten to add that people who post here do not represent average users for a number of reasons. In truth, your average user wouldn't even know how to find a forum like WindowsBBS nor would he know that one existed. Members here represent a very small and select sampling of computer users and therefore it doesn't surprise me that many members here would not hesitate to install betas like Google Chrome.

For me... I generally see no reason to rush things. Additionally, I had no good reason to install Google Chrome for the simple fact that I'm perfectly content with my current browser and could not ask for more. That's not to say that I would "never" install it. If and when it does become available in a final version (with the current list of bugs and issues resolved), I "might" consider installing it. But I would only install it if I intended to make wide usage of it, were dissatisfied with Firefox and/or believed that I could easily rid myself of it were I to find it unsuitable.

Having read the problems folks had in uninstalling it and the lengths to which they had to go, I'm glad I refrained. It just didn't seem worth it and apparently it wasn't since most who chose to install it have now reported that they promptly uninstalled it. Seems rather pointless to me.

 

http://portableapps.com/node/15456 gives a link to download a Chrome portable. However, it does not seem to be quite ready.
FYI, I install my Portable apps on a Flash Drive, so I am not worry about it messing up my computer, unless I am mistaken.

 

Hi Westside

It has not reached PortableApps yet.

Read about it here:

http://lifehacker.com/5045439/portable-chrome-puts-chrome-on-your-thumb-drive

Download it here:

http://stadt-bremerhaven.de/2008/09/03/portable-chrome-021510/

Good luck.

Mike

 

Mike,
I am curious, but I can wait. Thanks.

 

Im just providing the Info! After that it is up to you!

Mike

 

All the different reports are rather surprising. Just to check on my machine after using Chrome for four or five days, I removed it using the Vista tool. A check of the machine found one 'Google' folder in 'users' - 'temp' which I had to use Move-on-Boot to get rid of, and one registry entry. That was all!
I have now re-installed Chrome minus the updater, but there is no trace of a Google or Yahoo toolbar. Where did they come from for others?

Roger

 

The Yahoo toolbar does not come from the GC. I found out that one uses Ccleaner, ajnd is not careful, that the Yahoo toolbar will be installed.
Since I use Google Earth, my situation may hbe different from opthers. I want to keep the Updater. I am most concerned about the secrecy in the development of GC, which is, presumably, open source, and so many vulnerabilities. I am sure that the issues are been addressed, but I don't like their style.

 

WOW! I run into the answer!!! (I think; was there a question?). Check out Lifehacker.com. They're offering a "Chrome Package" theme. Just installed it, it looks like Chrome: simple, tabs at the topl etc. But since its just a theme added to FFox, it doesn't have the "threats" that Google's Chrome appears to present - I hope.

Speed: Can't really tell any real difference between the two browsers.

I'm non-plused - what'll they come up with next?

Bob

 

If I'm not mistaken, that chrome package add-on to FF necessitates your logging in with an e-mail address for the express reason that the theme is in a beta stage and the developer readily admits there are many problems. In short, it is being put out there so that folks will help him resolve the issues. Don't be surprised if problems start to show up on your computer. While it's an attractive theme it certainly isn't anything special in my opinion. Whereas we have dozens and dozens of proven themes for FF, why go out and take a chance on one that is still so "iffy "???

 

How about getting Chrome's features in Firefox ?

http://lifehacker.com/5044518/enable-chromes-best-features-in-firefox

 

James,
I can't help agreeing with you. I can see testing Google Chrome, which can be done anominously, but not introduce any potential problems.

 

FWIW:

As mentioned earlier, I have a portable version of Chrome on a separate partiton and as far as I've been able to determine, it has had no affect to my registry or my OS partition (C:\). Unfortunately, the portable version, anyway, is not all that stable. I do like the looks of it (tabs on the top) but that's about it. It is NOT really any faster than FFox3 or Opera as far as I have been able to determine.

I did try the "chrome package" for FFox3. Don't bother. Not all that stable, works fairly well with FFox3 default theme only, but with other themes there are little nuisances and, as I remember, a couple of feature failures. Just not worth the "pain in the . . . ." it can be.

That's my tuppence,
Bob