It doesn't hurt Chromes stats any to include installations of Chrome foisted upon the unknowing  by being included with one program update or another. I've removed it from my Mom's PC twice already, and my Brother has no idea how it got on his PC, removed as well. Toolbars were bad enough, now Google  sticks you with a whole browser. Very crappy tactic, imho.

Sure, it helps the stats when you shove it down peoples throats, but installed does not equal use in this case.

Chrome is more popular than Firefox AND IE? I'm really behind the times! Appreciate the post.

I really haven't seen that, Wiz. Other stuff, sure. Never heard of any browser except IE9 being foisted on anyone [in MS "Patch Tuesday" updates].

If you know where [which site or update] that happened, I'll more than gladly update folks on it.

I searched for "Chrome browser included in other software updates" on bing (I figure they'd have it) and on duckduckgo. All I found was:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10189217-92.html from 3/2009 for version 1 of Chrome.

I'm not surprised ... Chrome is fast and it works well.

Google tracking and the lack of some add-ons I use, keeps me away. Don't mind the extra time Pale Moon takes to get going for the flexibility it gives me.

Well done Google, now stop trying to follow me around ...

There's many factors (in my opinion) that helped Chrome to get there;

• Google is the number one search site and if you're not using Chrome, a huge ads will appear on

top right of Google.com, plus it's anywhere on the web, in banners and other kind of Ads.

• IE is just a "catch program", they don't bring anything new in ages, what they do is implement

features that become popular in other browsers (like tabs, unified search and address bars, etc).

• Many new and basic users  now search for alternative softwares to fit they needs instead of just

use the preinstalled ones.

• Chrome is just good, fast and have a really good UI, I don't use Chrome, I use Safari as default browser

but I keep it installed to test works and it's way better than IE (again, in my opinion).

@Dani - try this:

http://drjbhl.joeuser.com/article/424660/Drag_and_Drop_Free_Chrome_Search_Extension

that, and the extension "Do Not Track +" should address that.

That might explain why only IE gets to play in W8.

yeah not sure what the foisted upon guy is talking about?>!!?!

Seriously, IE9 specifically with it slow to start and it constant nagging to disable extensions is a piece of crap.  I tend to only use it for word or if a site requires it.  I also tell all my friends to switch to Chrome when asked.  IE days of being top dog are numbered.  But, they would have a chance if they fixed the initial open time.

BTW I am taking IE 9 32bit,  since the 64bit version is all but useless and notably slower than every other modern browser.

If you guys want the best browser for your IPad Dolphin rules

Not you Doc, but the folks replying, well, how are you going to keep'em down on the farm once they've seen.............   

I like Dolphin on the iPad, too.

Yeah, it happened to me a couple of times - once with a download of Winamp via C-Net, and another time with an Ashampoo app via Majorgeeks - where Chrome installed without my knowledge or consent.  That was a while ago and I've not been caught since, but it was a major annoyance because I don't want Google crap on my PC... period.

Hehe, it was funny!  When I uninstalled it I got this popup asking why I removed it *hehe chuckle, chuckle* and I said that I didn't trust Google apps in any way, shape or form, that it installed covertly and I had to get that "spying, tracking POS off my PC ASAP."  Anyway, a few days later I get an email from a Google customer relations person who tried to assure me that Google does not install its apps covertly on anyone's PC.  With that I called him a bare-faced liar and refused to entertain any further correspondence from him/Google... a couple more emails arrived the next day but they were marked as untrusted and went straight to my spam folder unopened.

As for Chrome installing on other peoples PCs without prior knowledge or consent, I've heard quite a few stories of it happening, and like me, most people I spoke with were highly annoyed as well.

The only remedy against bundling is choosing the "Advanced Install" option. That gives you the most choice as to what installs and what doesn't.

In addition, your friend can write to c|net and let them know that he doesn't like 'bundling', which is done to increase revenue for the download service.

The thing is, Doc, I always use the advance installation to avoid crapware and the like.  On those occasions I ended up with Chrome, it installed with the apps regardless, with no opt in or opt out selections to even give me the choice.  For me that is an imposition on my goodwill... or at least an expectation of it, and even if I wanted/liked Chrome and had some thought of installing it at some stage, I'd still find a covert installation of it an unwelcome invasion.

I can't imagine speed being a good enough reason to let google have more chances to sneak a look at my net print.
(proudly posted with FF, since 2002.)