Recently, I took my computer to a repair shop for a Windows reinstallation, mainly because I needed to bypass the TPM 2.0 requirement. However, they installed Avast antivirus on my computer without my consent. Is this a standard practice for repair shops, and should I consider removing it?
5 Answers
Installing extra software can be common, but it should be communicated first. Avast isn't harmful, but you might not need it at all since Windows Defender is now pretty solid. If you don't want it, just remove it and you'll be fine!
Yeah, I've seen this happen. It could be a sign that they're not really that knowledgeable. It's better to stick with Windows Defender; it does a great job! I would recommend uninstalling Avast. It's really not needed and just adds extra costs or pop-ups.
Honestly, most repair shops shouldn't install any software without getting the customer's permission first. If it were me, I'd go back and ask them to remove it immediately. It's just a good standard practice to communicate about these things.
Totally agree! Even if it's a minor task, customers should always be in the loop.
I would be really upset if that happened to me! It's crucial for them to respect customer choices about software installations.
Back when I had my shop, I'd recommend free software like Avast over paid ones. These days, though, Windows Defender is really the way to go. It's surprising to see shops still pushing for third-party options that aren't necessary anymore.
Exactly! All those mainstream AV programs just push for paid upgrades when you really don't need them.