How to Direct Download Anything Without Adware [Easy!]
Downloading software can sometimes come with unwanted surprises, especially when adware or bundled toolbars are secretly included in the installation process.
While developers often use these extra offers to generate revenue, they can lead to unwanted software, slower systems, and security risks.
This guide will help you identify and avoid these traps by providing clear instructions and alternatives so you get the software you need—without any unwanted extras.
Identifying and Avoiding the CNET Installer
One of the most common culprits for bundled software is the CNET Installer, which wraps downloads in a way that can trick users into installing adware. Here’s how you can recognize it and avoid it:
CNET Installer Overview
The CNET Installer is a small executable that initially appears as a regular download button. However, once clicked, it will prompt you to install additional software such as toolbars or browser helpers that change your default homepage or search engine.
If a software is being bundled with the CNET Installer, you will see a button that says “Download Now CNET Installer Enabled”.
When you move your mouse over “CNET Installer Enabled”, a popup explains:
The CNET Download.com Installer is a tiny ad-supported stub installer or “download manager” that helps securely deliver your downloads from Download.com’s servers. We also include offers for carefully screened software that complies with Download.com Software Policies as part of our Installer process.
Clicking on Download Now will launch the CNET Installer, which then offers additional junk like toolbars and browser helpers before downloading the original setup file. The process is irreversible—if you accidentally accept any extras, you must close the installer using the taskbar or task manager.
Fortunately, on every download page featuring the wrapper, there is also a “Direct Download Link” option that lets you bypass the installer entirely:
How to Prevent CNET Installer Links From Showing
If you or someone you know frequently uses CNET and wants to avoid accidentally downloading the CNET Installer, browser extensions can help. Firefox users can install Greasemonkey, and Chrome (or Opera) users can install Tampermonkey to run custom user scripts.
- Install Greasemonkey (for Firefox) or Install Tampermonkey (for Chrome/Opera).
- Go to the NoBadWare script page and click the green Install button at the top right to install the script.
- Visit a page on CNET with the adware-enabled download button (e.g., Nokia PC Suite) to see the script in action.
The link will now read “NoBadWare: CNET Installer link replaced with direct download link.” Clicking the Download Now button will then fetch the original installer—no bundled adware included.
A Solution to Stop You Clicking on CNET Installer Buttons
Another option is to use a program to prevent accidental clicks on unwanted installation options. Unchecky is a tool that monitors installer windows and automatically unchecks boxes for adware or additional software during installation.
Download and install Unchecky. If you accidentally click Accept on a CNET Installer, Unchecky will warn you before the adware options are installed.
While Unchecky works on many installers (including those from SourceForge), remember that it’s still a beta tool and not completely foolproof. Exercise caution even when using Unchecky.
Additional Alternatives to Prevent Unwanted Installations
- AutoHotkey Installer Scripts: If you’re comfortable with automation, you can use AutoHotkey to run scripts that detect installer dialogs and automatically uncheck adware options. The AutoHotkey community offers pre-made scripts that function similarly to Unchecky.
- Ninite for Clean Installations: Skip wrappers altogether with Ninite. This service builds custom installers that download software directly from the developers’ sites, ensuring a completely adware-free process.
Alternative Adware-Free Download Sources
Not all download portals bundle adware. Here are some reputable sources for obtaining software without unwanted extras:
- Ninite: Custom installers for multiple programs that are completely adware-free.
- Patch My PC: An excellent tool for keeping software updated with clean installations.
- Chocolatey: A command-line package manager that installs software directly from trusted repositories.
- Windows Package Manager (winget): Built into Windows 10 and later for secure and efficient installations.
- FossHub: A trusted repository for open-source software with a strict no-adware policy.
- MajorGeeks: Carefully curated downloads monitored for adware and other extras.
If You’ve Installed CNET Installer Adware
If you’re unlucky enough to install unwanted adware from the CNET Installer, most of it can be removed via the Control Panel (Programs and Features or Add/Remove Programs). To clean up leftovers:
Use AdwCleaner to scan your system for adware, PUPs, and registry remnants.
Another useful tool is Auslogics Browser Care, which can restore your browser’s default search engine and homepage, and remove unwanted toolbars.
Conclusion
Dealing with adware and bundled software installations can be frustrating, but with the right tools and methods, you can keep your system clean and secure. Whether you opt for browser extensions like Greasemonkey/Tampermonkey, automated tools like Unchecky (or its alternatives), or choose trusted, adware-free download sources, the power is in your hands to avoid unwanted extras.
Stay safe and download smartly!
You might also like:
3 Tools to Check, Download and Update Outdated Applications
7 Free File Hosting Sites With Direct Download Link Upload
Toolbar Remover & Cleaner Tools: Best Picks for 2023
How to Download the Hidden Free Antivirus Full Redistributable Offline Setup Installers
Windows 98 USB Mass Storage Driver: Download & Install Guide [2025]
Hi! and Thanks!
I’ve been using Unchecky for a few years, nothing to bother and it does the work!
Just download, that’s it!
Very light and nothing else to do.
I see that these comments are very old. But since no one else did until now, I just wanted to point out that FileHippo doesn’t bundle anything with their downloads anymore and only offers unadulterated installers – I don’t know for how long, since I didn’t use FileHippo when these comments were posted over 5 years ago, but I’ve been using that site for over an year now and never seen it.
What I love about FileHippo is that they keep older versions available for every program in their library. For some programs, it’s the only place on the internet where you can find downloads for older versions, in case you need it.
Nice explanation Raymond.cc good work keep it up
Thank you for the tip now i know what sites gave the malwares on my computer.
Major Geeks is one site that is adamantly against adware down loaders. They are not the largest site as the software that they provide has all been manually verified to be adware free. [www.majorgeeks.com]
I don’t know since when, but it seems that at least for some downloads, the option to download without the CNET Downloader seems to have been removed entirely from Download.com. The “Direct Download Link” option still shows on the page, but clicking it will download the CNET Downloader nonetheless. All of the Greasemonkey scripts supposed to circumvent it seem to have stopped working as well. I guess it’s goodbye, Download.com.
As for people looking for an alternative: FileHippo, Tucows, and Softonic all bundle malware with their downloads too. I think that covers all of the larger remaining download sites, there are no clean ones left. The only malware-free site of moderate size I still found was FreewareFiles.com.
It’s always best to download directly from the developer’s site. And to find those, AlternativeTo.net is a good option, as it includes great features to browse similar software.
I actually used to use sites like Download.com mostly for getting software for which the original developer site doesn’t exist anymore. File archives like that are a very valuable resource for that reason. For that use case, it might be a good option to check the Internet Archive’s software library (archive.org/details/software) which among other collections includes a snapshot of the entire Tucows library *without* malware. But of course it’s not an option for up-to-date downloads.
Maybe you know some of this already; it’s a bit irritating that there are not dates on the comments here.
FileHippo for me anytime.
Is there a way to thank and encourage them?
I’m not sure if you’re aware, but FileHippo is/was pushing adware wrapped installers as well, just like CNET…
So they are no better than CNET, if that is still the case.
Thanks for the information. However I just find it easier to stay away from CNET. I un-subscribed from all their newsletters and basically have nothing to do with their site anymore. If that’s the way they want to treat people who visit their site I’ll go elsewhere. File Hippo is now my number one stop.
Thanks. I so can’t stand that cnet installer. It makes me paranoid to even go to the site. This post helps explain ways around it.
I prefer currently DDownloads –> ddownloads.net/index.php/download/viewdownload/30-ddownloads-portable/124-ddownloads-portable-extract-wizard
nifty and fully portable tool with hundreds of direct download links for various apps.
filehippo is also a very good alternative.
Thanks for posting this information!! I remember the good ‘ole days when C/NET did not do this. Unfortunately, those days are long gone, and we have to resort to steps like this. This is one of the major annoyances, to me, with C/NET, and a lot of software authors upload to their site, so sometimes you just have to download from them. :)
Thanks for sharing
Hey there! I really enjoyed reading your article. Hope
you create even more such as this!
finally, less crap,i totally stopped using that site since they started using that down loader.
Well, that’s an eye opener because they’ve always gone out of their way to promote the downloads and adware, virus free, etc. It shows how vigilant you have to be and that’s alarming to find out if you say, “don’t accept,” “…it is already too late because the adware is already installed on your computer.” Now, just like TeXaCo_sr said, if CNET is the only choice to install, I’ll just pass.I have noticed that even going to the developer’s website for direct downloads now commonly results in linkback to CNET and/or some others. Good to know Softpedia is still reliable. Thanks for the wake-up call!
Hi Ray,
Since CNET started to push this adware with their downloads, I refuse to download anything from them. It’s the principle of the issue. They were once a reputable company and should know better than to bundle this type of stuff in their downloads. I guess now adding the direct download link is a concession because people are upset about the whole thing.
Well, until they remove the adware bundled installer all together, I will not be downloading from them. If it is something I need, I will find it on other sites like you mentioned softpedia or snapfiles.
I have run into one or two programs that I wanted to try out but found out you could only download them from CNET. So I decided that I could live without those programs.
Hopefully they will see issue at some point and fix it, but I am not holding my breath.
TeX
This is the very reason I now steer clear from Cnet and other similar sites that offer their bundled installers. Sometimes even when I’ve unchecked the “do not install toolbar” opttion, it still installs the offending crap-ware. Like you I now go directly to the source for my installer. I’ve also found sites such as Filehippo and Snap Files that offer just the installer and a link to the developer’s site. Thanks for this informative article, Raymond. Keep up the excellent work…
nice article. thanks
Download.com has made me very angry doing this. I have switched to alternative sites like FileHippo and Softpedia
I prefer filehippo.com