Skype Installing CrapWare Automatically On Your PC? Easy Bits Go?
Out of no where, I got a popup message in Skype about installing some software to play games. I click on the X to close it. Another popup appears and I close that too. Then, I actually check my computer, and it seems that Skype, without my consent, or even with the annoying popup every time you want to make a change to your PC, Skype just goes ahead and installs Easy Bits Go.
Now literally WTF Skype? Why are you installing crap on my computer. I never asked you to install it, so what the hell is going on!
This is not acceptable. A reputable program, goes ahead, and automatically installs programs on your computer. That is defiantly not on. If you weren’t so good, I would piss you off, but that’s just not possible.
Has this happened to anyone else? It happened to me around 12:20am Sunday 29th March AEST.
Update: Seems to just happened to a lot of people as well:
- http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=78875.0
- http://getsatisfaction.com/skype/topics/skype_installs_gaming_program_easybits_go_autoscarely
Update 2: Skype has released a press release regarding this issue. The release also states that “This latest update from EasyBits included elements of their desktop games organizer in error, but it neither installs nor un-installs correctly.”
Therefore, I first recommend to perform a System Restore, and follow these uninstallation tips to uninstall EasyBits Go:
- In Skype, go to Tools –> Options –>Advance –> Advance Settings –> Manage other programs access to Skype and remove EasyBits Go
- Uninstall EasyBits Go from Add/Remove Programs
- Your user profile Application Data and delete the EasyBits Go Folder (Application Data folder may be a hidden file, so you have to turn on “Show Hidden Files” For example, delete C:UsersJackAppDataRoaminggo
- Go to the Registry, and delete HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware and delete the EasyBits folder
- Go to C:/Windows/Prefect and delete the EasyBitsGo.exe file
Only perform these instructions if you know what you are doing, otherwise you may make things worse.
This post came up high on google rankings, it happened to me today as well as soon as I updated to Service Pack 3 for XP (May or may not be related)
I solved the problem doing the following: (For XP)
1. Uninstalled EasyBits Go from Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel
2. Deleted the Skype Plugin Manager folder from C:Program FilesSkype
3. Deleted the EasyBits Go Folder from C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication Data
You may run into a “Cannot Delete” problem for steps 2 and 3. When I tried to delete the Easybits Folder, several times I was denied access. I found out later that it was because SkypePM.exe was accessing. (As you know you can’t delete programs currently accessed in the computer’s memory)
I downloaded a program called Unlocker http://www.filehippo.com/jp/download_unlocker/
which alls you to delete a program, even if there is another process access it.
In summary, the root of the problem was SkypePM.exe
I also expect the short outage that took place yesterday (link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/26/skype-down-problems-_n_867332.html , additional news on this can be found on google news) was probably because of their attempt to implement the stupid EasyBits Go Crapware onto everyone’s computer. The spyware probably couldn’t be installed on older versions of Skype so it crashed alot of user’s computers, and inexperienced computer users probably upgraded their versions of skype to the newest version(which supports ads) thinking that it would fix the problem but instead they just opened the door for Micro$oft to feed crap to Skype users.
Thanks Bill for your comment and solution tips. Much appreciated.
I got the same thing. Loads of people did.
Technically you could sue Skype.
Well that’s what i am doing now. 😀
I would be surprised if a lot of people do the same. I wonder if there is anything in there terms of service that they can automatically install software in your machine.
Because doing this is just bad business. There’s no difference between Skype installing a program on your computer vs changing your wallpaper to an X rated picture.
Yeah, shout out to Microsoft. Same thing happend to me and I believe it slowed my computer down!
Super not Cool :Pirate:
I didn’t notice any slowness on my computer, but I might do a Systems Restore, just in case it modified any other programs.
I was in a conversation and it installed (without permission) some shitty Easy bits game crap – and then asked me if I wanted to use it in the call I was having. W T F is this?! I know Skype is free and all, but I think rating a call each time I end a call is enough interaction for me. If they keep this junk up, I’ll just switch to GoogleTalk.
Unless someone isn’t happy that Microsoft purchased Skype, and decided to ruin their loyalty of their customer base.
The reason that I heard on why Microsoft paid so much, 8 Billion for it is because they didn’t want a competitor like Google to buy it.
I had been away from my computer and out and BAM i have this installted on my computer, I am not really techno savy so I am wondering how I uninstall it
You could probably do a Systems restore, or simply uninstall it in Add/Remove programs in Control Panel. Contact me if you want more detailed instructions
🙁
Well at least we can blame microsoft now.
I don’t really think it was a Microsoft problem. I think it was just coincidence.
Has me angry as hell too. Would love to punch the asshat responsible.
happened around midnight to me
Check the link for more detailed information;
http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=821527&s=44add14f6c0a65a4ce6c10098b7bd6b6
Yea i had the same problem. I closed the windows and then tab back to what i was doing and it pops up with Easybits crap. Thats realy not acceptable for any program to do that when clearly u dont consent. Its pretty much internet equiv of rape. who knopws what its going to install next. 🙁
😀 🙁 🙁 👿 💡 :love: 😡 :no-comments: :ooo: :Pirate: :-?: 🙁 🙂 😉 ;-)) 😮
Yep, happened to me too. Over night EDT 5/29. I uninstalled it.
i dono if anyone have heard of testing a product, QoS quality of service! or we just have to admit that shit happens and sorry that skype has some easybits go dumb software ! it took me 30 min to track it down and remove it from my pc, i though it was a virus or something … may be it is…! 🙁
hy skype is not installing in my computer. what should i do
You need to provide me with more information like the operating system you have, and the reasons why it’s not installing. We’re not mind readers.
🙁
“Go to the Registry, and delete HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware and delete the EasyBits folder”
I sure hope no-one follows this advice…