Why You Should Choose Advanced Install or Custom Install

Why You Should Choose Advanced Install or Custom Install When Installing Software 

Most of the time when you’re installing software, you will find you have an option to choose between “Express install” or “Custom install” (also called advanced install/setup).

First, you’re right. Most of the time when you’re installing software, you will find you have an option to choose between “Express install” or “Custom install” (also called advanced install/setup).

And we’re betting that most people, not just you, choose “Express Install” not only because it’s usually pre-selected, but also because Custom Install is usually annotated with the words: “For advanced users”. Most people probably don’t consider themselves advanced users, so “Express Install” seems to be the correct choice.

However, 99% of the time there are no “advanced” customizations anyway; most of the time the “custom install” just allows you to choose a different installation folder and nothing else. But, more often than not, if you choose “Express Install” malware and PUPs (if any) will be installed automatically, whereas if you chose “Custom Install” you would at least be able to uncheck any pre-checked boxes that, if left checked, would allow “optional software” (read PUPs and malware) to be installed.

Choosing “Custom Install” or “Advanced install” usually gives you the option to opt-out of any so-called “optional software” that would otherwise be installed along with the software you wanted to install.

Developers know that most users will steer clear of anything that says for “advanced users” or “custom install -recommended for advanced users”. And it’s in the custom/advanced install dialog they often hide the malware and PUP installers, and the options that allow the program to change your default browser and/or search engine.

Most installers will have the extra software option(s) (usually PUPs and malware) and/or the options to let the software change your default search engine and/or home page, pre-checked by default. But in the “Advanced” or “Custom” install options you will have the option to uncheck anything you don’t want.

You won’t find these options listed in the “Express” installer or default installer, so it’s really important to choose advanced/custom install when/if it’s offered.  We can remember back in the mid-1990s, being new on the Internet and finding ourselves avoiding anything that said: “for advanced users”…we haven’t forgotten those days, so we can understand the trepidation some people feel when faced with choosing anything that says “Advanced”. But most often, during software installation, Advanced can often mean “we’ve hidden things in here we don’t want you to see”.

What directory so I install to?

When you’re asked to browse to an installation folder it will be either C:\program files(x86)\  for 32-bit software, and C:\program files for 64-bit software. If you don’t have a 64-bit computer you will only have one Program Files directory. If you have a 64-bit computer and the download does not specify it’s for 64-bit computers, then you should install it to the C:\program files(x86) directory.

Next time you have a choice, choose “Advanced” or “Custom” install

So, the next time you see a choice between “Express Install” and “Custom/Advanced Install (recommended for advanced users)”, choose the custom/advanced install – whether you’re an advanced user or not.

And if you have a choice, your best bet is to download a portable version of the software if available. Portable versions do not install. You just unzip the portable version software wherever you want it and click the program file (.exe) to run the program.