The latest version (2.0.6.3) appears to bundle some adware

There's even a related post on the Sardu forum:

True, but it does mean that the application does not meet TPFC requirements. SARDU should be removed from the DB (as was the case with Tapin Radio).guinness wrote:Adware doesn't mean the application is malicious.
Was that directed at me? I never tested it for portability, but having seen your screenshot, the answer is obvious. All I did was looking at what the Betterinstaller thing does. The funny thing is, there is no installer. SARDU is still distributed as a portable package but when you run the .exe file, the "Better" thingie would first run in the background, do it's scannig, etc. etc. No warning, no request for user permission... I stoped it right then and there.joby_toss wrote:Is it stealth?
I understand the compassion, but still, it is not OK to let a spyware program run on a user's machine without explicit consent.guinness wrote:I totally understand their predicament, times are tough and making a decent living is become increasingly harder.
The developer should be transparent that the download contains BetterInstaller.com installer, that much is true.I am Baas wrote:I understand the compassion, but still, it is not OK to let a spyware program run on a user's machine without explicit consent.
Yikes! That is a utterly unacceptable.I am Baas wrote:All I did was looking at what the Betterinstaller thing does. The funny thing is, there is no installer. SARDU is still distributed as a portable package but when you run the .exe file, the "Better" thingie would first run in the background, do it's scannig, etc. etc. No warning, no request for user permission... I stoped it right then and there.
I am Baas wrote:Was that directed at me?
I am Baas wrote:All I did was looking at what the Betterinstaller thing does. The funny thing is, there is no installer. SARDU is still distributed as a portable package but when you run the .exe file, the "Better" thingie would first run in the background, do it's scannig, etc. etc. No warning, no request for user permission... I stoped it right then and there.
True that! But there is the right way and there is the wrong way. This time there is no question...just an obvious answer.guinness wrote:I totally understand their predicament, times are tough and making a decent living is become increasingly harder.
Extract the contents of SARDU_1 file with 7-zip, delete bi.exe, repackage it (7-zippit) and put the SARDU_1 file (no extension) back in the application folder. Tested only once to make sure SARDU will run and have no plans to spend anymore time on it. Good luck.lbaty wrote:Anyone know if there is a "clean" copy of the latest version anywhere?
Or if there is any way to remove the bundled "junk"?