AMD Radeon 17.8.1 Drivers Include Bethesda Launcher, Default Off

btarunr · Aug 23, 2017

It looks like AMD took lessons from the Quake Champions beta offer drama, in which Radeon Software 17.4.4, by default, planted a link to a game beta sign-up on your desktop, and was seen by users as ad-ware. AMD later hot-fixed the driver without this offer, and expressed regret. The new Radeon 17.8.1 WHQL drivers include the option to install Bethesda Launcher, the DRM client of Bethesda akin to Steam and Origin, which lets you buy and play games from the studio. The default option of the driver installer sets this as "off." The only way you'll even come across it is if you choose "custom install" and check the "Bethesda Launcher" option. The only way you'll now learn about offers hidden inside AMD driver updates is if you look for them in the "custom install" list, or if AMD advertises them in its driver change-log (which it didn't, for these drivers).

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RejZoR · Aug 23, 2017

People made too big of a drama around a silly shortcut. If it was actual software, fine. But just shortcut, really? I think everyone over reacted. I mean, you select it Shift+Delete and it's gone forever.

Octopuss · Aug 23, 2017

RejZoR said:
People made too big of a drama around a silly shortcut. If it was actual software, fine. But just shortcut, really? I think everyone over reacted. I mean, you select it Shift+Delete and it's gone forever.

It is a big deal because it was something noone wanted and yet it was being installed (doesn't matter what it is) without asking.

RejZoR · Aug 23, 2017

"Installed" is a very loosely used word here. Shortcuts aren't installed, they are placed. Literally single object. It doesn't require any removal procedures or rights, you just delete it and it's gone.

wiak · Aug 23, 2017

Octopuss said:
It is a big deal because it was something noone wanted and yet it was being installed (doesn't matter what it is) without asking.

candy crush shortcut is included with windows 10 default install. nobody is up in arms about that

Supercrit · Aug 23, 2017

wiak said:
candy crush shortcut is included with windows 10 default install. nobody is up in arms about that

Win 10 has so many more serious issues to care about.

Gasaraki · Aug 23, 2017

It's like the driver packages are not big enough already...

TheoneandonlyMrK · Aug 23, 2017

Octopuss said:
It is a big deal because it was something noone wanted and yet it was being installed (doesn't matter what it is) without asking.

Yes but it wasn't , it was only installed via custom options and if you did , you had seen and ok'd a tickbox visually.

R00kie · Aug 23, 2017

At least it’s not the way that bloody Raptr was jammed in our throats

phanbuey · Aug 23, 2017

gdallsk said:
At least it’s not the way that bloody Raptr was jammed in our throats

or one drive, or cortana, or GeForce Experience, or Bing

Readlight · Aug 23, 2017

Game who updates 5 times whit 10gb and runs on 30 fps and who alow only lowest textures on rx 460 4gb loks like left 2 dead 4 is the fastest game.

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AMD Radeon 17.8.1 Drivers Include Bethesda Launcher, Default Off

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