Opinion: Death to the pre-ticked install box

I happened to be using a laptop the other day that I don't normally use, so, as you may expect, on booting it up I had a whole shed-load of updates to install.

I install a LOT of software in the course of any given month, and so I'd like to think that I'm impervious to the annoyances of downloads, but after a little impatient finger drumming and a trip to make a cup of tea I discovered that there is still one aspect of the install that manages to leave me apoplectic EVERY SINGLE TIME.

The pre-ticked 'install other software' box.

So, when Sun prompts me to install an update for Java – I'm fine with that. I use it, I need an update. Fine.

Do I want to install Yahoo's toolbar? No, I really, really don't. And that fact that you pre-tick that box that says I do? That makes me hate your company a little bit. And Yahoo, for that matter.

Apple and Microsoft

Then on to iTunes and Quicktime; do I want Safari? No. Do I want anything else by Apple? I don't know, but if you pre-tick that box I guarantee you that I won't download it.

Do I want an option that says 'We will never ever pre-tick boxes for software installs that you have said no to TIME AND TIME AGAIN?' Yes.

So that just left me with Messenger. I have the Windows Live Installer, I have Instant Messenger from Microsoft – do I want all the other stuff that's part of your services suite? I really don't, as I've told you on every single prior update.

Some people might point out that you only need one click to uncheck the box, but you've only got to make one tiny mistake, not pay attention for one dialogue box and suddenly your home page is set to Yahoo, your MP3s are being played in a player you didn't want and your browser takes another five seconds to load.

What price happiness?

I don't mind updates, I don't mind installers – but I want to have the option of having every extra install unchecked as default, every single time I use that installer.

A colleague was bemoaning the fact that he changed his Apple installer to do this very thing, but then found the moment he updated QuickTime it was back to the pre-ticked boxes.

Installers and updaters are convenient for everyone – but making a few pence by tricking people makes everyone involved in these 'rogue' updates look sordid and less reliable.

And how much is that worth?