Installer FAQ

Have A Question? We Have Answers:

Q: What is WebInstallTM?

A: WebInstallTM is an install manager that powers user-friendly software recommendations in Windows installers.

Premium publishers can offer users an entirely opt-in process with advertiser support. They can set goals, save money and track the success of business—all while reaching over 10 million new users per month.

Users are presented with relevant content and can feel comfortable knowing that they are downloading from a trusted source in a user-friendly format.

Q: Why am I seeing offers from WebInstallTM other than the software I am downloading?

A: Our hope is that you will discover great software that’s useful to you. You are in no way required to accept anything. Anything you do accept can easily be removed. Please visit our Consumers page for a detailed explanation of our Advertisers and how to remove/uninstall their software.

Q: What happens if I do not accept a recommendation?

A: If you do not accept a recommendation you get your primary software choice for free, as advertised! Anonymous installer analytics are still collected about the installation of the primary software.

Q: Do WebInstallTM-powered installers only show recommendations during installation?

A: Yes.

Q: How do you make sure the software in the WebInstallTM network is safe?

A: Our #1 priority is ensuring all software in our network is safe. We have stringent guidelines and practices that we run each application through. This includes (but is not limited to), checking malware databases, security forums, software reviews by tech journalists and end-users, learning about the developer’s business practices (through the BBB and other sources), and trying each and every piece of software ourselves and discussing it as a team.

Q: How does WebInstallTM work for software developers looking to get distribution for their products?

A: To learn more about WebInstallTM please visit our Publishers page.

Q: What happens when I run an installer that’s WebInstallTM-powered?

A: When you run an installer powered by WebInstallTM it asks our servers for a list of applications that make sense based on your language, operating system, country and the type of product you are downloading. Our plug-in then selects the first valid recommendation to show. Recommendations must pass certain criteria to be valid (such as, “Is this software already installed?” and “Are the necessary files needed to install this available?” etc…). For each recommendation in the list, an anonymous “Yes” or “No” is sent back to our servers so we can collect aggregate data to improve our recommendations.

Once a valid recommendation is found in the list, our plug-in presents the recommendation to you. At this point, you can choose whether you want to install the recommended software. Non-personally identifiable statistics about the developer’s software installation, the recommendation process, and the installation of recommended software, are collected.

Q: What information does WebInstallTM collect during installation of an installer powered by WebInstallTM?

A: First and foremost, we do NOT collect any personally identifiable information. Nor do we store IP addresses.

We collect the following NON-personally identifiable information for aggregate statistical purposes:


  1. Operating system version and language, country location of the computer running the installer
  2. That the developer’s installer was initiated, and whether it was completed or canceled
  3. Whether or not each potential recommendation was or wasn’t valid for a computer
  4. Whether a recommendation was made and if so, whether it was accepted or declined
  5. If a recommendation was accepted, whether the recommended software’s installer has been downloaded and installed
  6. Whether the recommended software’s installer was initiated, and, if so, whether it was completed or canceled

For more information about what “personally identifiable information” or “PII” is, see this Wikipedia article

Q: When is this information collected?

A: 1, 2, 3, and 4 are collected during installation of the developer’s software. 5 and 6 is only collected when a recommendation is accepted and our download manager is launched.

Q: Why does WebInstallTM collect this information?

A: All of the data we collect is used to either help make better recommendations or help our partners improve their software and user experience.

Q: What does WebInstallTM do with this information?

A: We use this non-personally identifiable information in the aggregate to understand how our network and its participants are performing. We also provide this information to the software developers of the application you’re installing. Software advertisers are provided with anonymous statistics about how recommendations of their software are performing.

Example:

Jane, a software advertiser in the WebInstallTM Software Network, receives anonymous, aggregate statistics about the performance of recommendations of her software. So Jane can learn how many times her Secure File Deletion Utility was recommended, downloaded, or installed.

Q: How Do I Reset My Default Search & Homepage?

Firefox Users

To change your default search engine:

  • Click the drop down arrow next to the search engine icon and select a search engine (you can see your current default search engine in bold).
  • Firefox will remember your choice and use the selected search engine (until you change it again).

To change your homepage in Firefox:

  • At the top of the Firefox window, click the “Firefox” button (Windows XP users click “Tools” in menu).
  • Click “Options.”
  • Select the “General panel.”
  • In the Startup box, click “Restore to Default.”
  • Click “OK.”

Google Chrome Users

To change your default search engine:

  • Go to “Settings” and click “Options.”
  • Click “Manage” next to your “Default search engine. “
  • Select your preferred search engine from the list and click “Make Default.”

To change your homepage in Google Chrome:

  • Click the wrench icon on the browser toolbar.
  • Select “Options” (OR “Preferences” for Mac and Linux users; “Settings” for Chromebook users).
  • Click the “Basics” tab.
  • Select the page you want as your homepage in the “Homepage” section.

Internet Explorer Users

To change your default search engine:

  • In the search bar, there is a small arrow to the right of the search icon (magnifying glass).
  • Click the arrow and select “Manage search engines.”
  • Select the Search Provider that you want to set as default.
  • Now click “Set as default.”

To change your homepage in Internet Explorer:

  • In Internet Explorer, navigate to the page that you want to make your home page.
  • Right-click the Home icon on the Internet Explorer 9 toolbar.
  • Select “Add” or “Change Home Page.”
  • Select either “Use this webpage as your only home page,” or “Add this webpage to your home page tabs.”
  • Click “Yes” to save changes.

Q: What should I do if I think I’ve found a bug in the WebInstallTM recommendation process?

A: No matter how hard we try, we aren’t perfect (nobody is), so it’s possible for a bug to slip through. If you think you’ve found one, please let us know.

If your question wasn’t answered here or you have suggestions on how we can do things even better, please contact us.

Q: How do I uninstall WebInstallTM products?

A: Uninstalling any product offered by WebInstallTM is easy. Click here for uninstall instructions for your operating system or browser.

** Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

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