Foxit Reader 5, ASK TB is back

emmjay · 25. Jul 2011, 04:16 PM

I updated my Foxit Reader Free from V4 to V5 yesterday.

I was able in the past to bypass the dreaded ASK TOOLBAR, but it just installed it and my browser was automatically updated to include it. I went to the Win/CP to uninstall the ASK Toolbar, but it did not show as an independent program, so I could not delete it. All I could do was disable it in the browser.

Previous posters have complained about the inclusion of the ASK TOOLBAR, however Foxit refuses to address it appropriately (just give the option to not install it and make sure it works that way!) We all understand that a free appl. has to have some financial backing to keep it in the public sphere, however the inclusion of this disgusting ASK TOOLBAR has turned me permanently away from Foxit.

I have now uninstalled Foxit and have Nitro installed. Nitro is not as sophisticated but at least it does what I need it to do (however I am still looking for something better). I once used Adobe Reader but it too is no longer wanted due to major security problems with the product, which the developers refuse to address. This is sheer arrogance.

It defies logic ... why do these companies not listen to their community of users? I am sure the commercial side of the business would do much better if they did so. I thought this was why we have free offerings... get input from the masses about the base product and develop something the majority will see great value in and then provide additional incentive with value add components so they will buy the commercial product.

We at Gismo use the freeware that is offered by many companies and have been very thankful for it. We use the products and if the free version meets or exceeds our needs/expectations we praise it and recommend it to others. If it falls short or has something that we do not like, we make it known in hope that it is received as positive feedback. Rookies to experts contribute their experience ... what company could not afford to take advantage of this? It is free advise!

I ramble ... time to go before I explode.

Anupam · 25. Jul 2011, 05:03 PM

Have you given PdfXchange Viewer a try? Its listed as the top choice on the site :

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...pdf-reader.htm

jim · 25. Jul 2011, 07:28 PM

I updated my Foxit yesterday too but just unselected the Ask toolbar and it was not installed so have no problem. However, I agree with everything you say.

torres-no-tan-magnifico · 25. Jul 2011, 10:52 PM

@emmjay,

May I be a soothing Yang to your raging Yin!

http://www.ghacks.net/2011/03/04/ask...-to-uninstall/

J_L · 26. Jul 2011, 04:43 AM

Adobe Reader X includes a sandbox, and is said to be lighter than before, but I still think it's bloated in size.

PDF-XChange Viewer is great (and natively 64-bit compatible), but uses a lot of memory by default. You can change that via performance preferences, but that affects the speed a little bit.

eyeb · 26. Jul 2011, 07:00 AM

i like sumatra pdf reader, small size, opens files fine and has a browser plugin you can download

aangekoekt · 26. Jul 2011, 07:47 AM

Also, before you install Foxit, AskStub tries to call home, which is a nuisance. Luckily my firewall picked it up and I could block the request, just don't want to be associated in any way shape or form. I guess that's the price to pay, but I'm not sure if totally removing Foxit cleans the Ask trash from your pc emmjay. Usually there's some remnants still lurking, I would thoroughly look for any leftovers.

bo.elam · 26. Jul 2011, 08:29 AM

I just updated my Foxit and like Jim, had no problem. On my case, I was not
offered the Ask toolbar, thats probably because I originally had installed the
MSI version. This version does not include the toolbar, its sort of a slim
version and its not too hard to find if we know where to look for it.

Jim, if you haven't, you can get rid of the advertisement in the Foxit GUI
by unchecking advertisement in "View". You can also get rid of the Ask logo
in the GUI if you go to tools> preference> internet search.

Personally, I can not stand any kind of toolbar but I wont change Foxit for
any other PDF as long as it can be installed w/o the toolbar, the MSI is
available and remains a safe and easy to use PDF reader.

Bo

jim · 26. Jul 2011, 12:55 PM

Thanks for that bo. Didn't know - sorted now.

emmjay · 26. Jul 2011, 07:47 PM

Tnx everyone for suggesting other alternatives ... I will check them out.

NB: I remember specifically deselecting the ASK TOOLBAR on my W7 system, so I have no idea why it installed. A glitch, maybe. Anyways it has gone for good and I will not be re-installing it. I did some registry edits and found several instances of the ASK TB (deleted with no regret) ...tnx for the tip aangekoekt.

25. Jul 2011, 04:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
emmjay Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 226	Foxit Reader 5, ASK TB is back I updated my Foxit Reader Free from V4 to V5 yesterday. I was able in the past to bypass the dreaded ASK TOOLBAR, but it just installed it and my browser was automatically updated to include it. I went to the Win/CP to uninstall the ASK Toolbar, but it did not show as an independent program, so I could not delete it. All I could do was disable it in the browser. Previous posters have complained about the inclusion of the ASK TOOLBAR, however Foxit refuses to address it appropriately (just give the option to not install it and make sure it works that way!) We all understand that a free appl. has to have some financial backing to keep it in the public sphere, however the inclusion of this disgusting ASK TOOLBAR has turned me permanently away from Foxit. I have now uninstalled Foxit and have Nitro installed. Nitro is not as sophisticated but at least it does what I need it to do (however I am still looking for something better). I once used Adobe Reader but it too is no longer wanted due to major security problems with the product, which the developers refuse to address. This is sheer arrogance. It defies logic ... why do these companies not listen to their community of users? I am sure the commercial side of the business would do much better if they did so. I thought this was why we have free offerings... get input from the masses about the base product and develop something the majority will see great value in and then provide additional incentive with value add components so they will buy the commercial product. We at Gismo use the freeware that is offered by many companies and have been very thankful for it. We use the products and if the free version meets or exceeds our needs/expectations we praise it and recommend it to others. If it falls short or has something that we do not like, we make it known in hope that it is received as positive feedback. Rookies to experts contribute their experience ... what company could not afford to take advantage of this? It is free advise! I ramble ... time to go before I explode.

25. Jul 2011, 05:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Anupam Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 9,484	Have you given PdfXchange Viewer a try? Its listed as the top choice on the site : http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...pdf-reader.htm __________________ Anupam

25. Jul 2011, 10:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
torres-no-tan-magnifico Copy Editor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 622	@emmjay, May I be a soothing Yang to your raging Yin! http://www.ghacks.net/2011/03/04/ask...-to-uninstall/ __________________ Torres-no-tan-magnifico

26. Jul 2011, 07:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
aangekoekt Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 16	Also, before you install Foxit, AskStub tries to call home, which is a nuisance. Luckily my firewall picked it up and I could block the request, just don't want to be associated in any way shape or form. I guess that's the price to pay, but I'm not sure if totally removing Foxit cleans the Ask trash from your pc emmjay. Usually there's some remnants still lurking, I would thoroughly look for any leftovers. __________________ bachelor boy

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25. Jul 2011, 07:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
jim Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: near Ashford Kent England Posts: 304	I updated my Foxit yesterday too but just unselected the Ask toolbar and it was not installed so have no problem. However, I agree with everything you say.

26. Jul 2011, 04:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
J_L Co-Author, Best Free Security List Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,475	Adobe Reader X includes a sandbox, and is said to be lighter than before, but I still think it's bloated in size. PDF-XChange Viewer is great (and natively 64-bit compatible), but uses a lot of memory by default. You can change that via performance preferences, but that affects the speed a little bit.

26. Jul 2011, 07:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
eyeb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Planet X Posts: 487	i like sumatra pdf reader, small size, opens files fine and has a browser plugin you can download

26. Jul 2011, 08:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
bo.elam Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,224	I just updated my Foxit and like Jim, had no problem. On my case, I was not offered the Ask toolbar, thats probably because I originally had installed the MSI version. This version does not include the toolbar, its sort of a slim version and its not too hard to find if we know where to look for it. Jim, if you haven't, you can get rid of the advertisement in the Foxit GUI by unchecking advertisement in "View". You can also get rid of the Ask logo in the GUI if you go to tools> preference> internet search. Personally, I can not stand any kind of toolbar but I wont change Foxit for any other PDF as long as it can be installed w/o the toolbar, the MSI is available and remains a safe and easy to use PDF reader. Bo

26. Jul 2011, 12:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
jim Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: near Ashford Kent England Posts: 304	Thanks for that bo. Didn't know - sorted now.

26. Jul 2011, 07:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
emmjay Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 226	Tnx everyone for suggesting other alternatives ... I will check them out. NB: I remember specifically deselecting the ASK TOOLBAR on my W7 system, so I have no idea why it installed. A glitch, maybe. Anyways it has gone for good and I will not be re-installing it. I did some registry edits and found several instances of the ASK TB (deleted with no regret) ...tnx for the tip aangekoekt.