Windows 10 help needed - automatic file downloads

[ClaretTony]

Suddenly this morning started getting boxes coming up telling me that Real Player is automatically doing file downloads. I try cancelling it and then it comes back with some .exe file doing the same. I've tried blocking the app but it makes no difference.

I googled it and the suggestion was that I went into settings and switched off automatic file downloads. I've done that and they have stopped but is this the right thing to do?

Any help would be appreciated.

[aggi]

didn't realise that Real Player was still going.

First thing, do you actually have it and use it?

[ClaretTony]

didn't realise that Real Player was still going.

First thing, do you actually have it and use it?

I’m away from the computer just now but I clearly must have it on there but I can’t remember when I last used it. Must be years.

[aggi]

The obvious first step then is to uninstall it and see if that stops it.

[Funkydrummer]

I wasn't aware that Realplayer was still going, let alone work with windows 10.

Your best advice, as already stated, is to uninstall it.

Actually going to look for it now, just for a bit of nostalgia !!!

[whiffa]

This thread can rapidly become a case of too much help, but one other thing to check is what programs you have running at start up. If you go into Task Manager > More details > Start-up, you can select Realplayer from the list and disable it from auto-running when you turn on your machine. Won't fix your issue but will help diagnose and identify RealPlayer as the specific problem if you stop getting errors from then on.

As said above there's no real practical use for RealPlayer in modern terms so uninstalling it is probably the best option unless you've a specific media format you're using it for.

[ClaretTony]

Despite having a career in IT I am pretty useless when it comes to PC problems. Give me an old IBM mainframe computer any day.

This computer is around 10 years old and I would assume Realplayer has been on for all that time. I'm unistalling it now and then I'll switch back on the automatic downloads and see what happens.

Thanks very much for your help.

[Wellsy1882]

I remember real player about 15 years ago haha

[ClaretAndJew]

Winamp.exe

[Hipper]

If your PC is ten years old and you haven't done a compete re-install or had a clear out it might be a good idea to spend some time looking through all your programmes, documents etc. to see what you really still need. I'm sure you back up stuff on a regular basis already.

[ClaretTony]

If your PC is ten years old and you haven't done a compete re-install or had a clear out it might be a good idea to spend some time looking through all your programmes, documents etc. to see what you really still need. I'm sure you back up stuff on a regular basis already.

I know I should but it is finding the time. The only thing I've ever done is move it from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

[IanMcL]

Acrobat is a gunner too!

CT - I had a recent bad/good experience on my about 10 years old PC. Microsoft suggested a quick refresh to speed up. 'Click here'.

It took 2-3 hours, so not swift. All my files were back and it was quicker, particularly on the Internet, which had ground to a halt.

It said it would remove 'acrobat' as not needed. This was why I clicked.

It removed every program!

Fortunately, I found an old MS Office disk. Downloaded other stuff and all ok now.

MUCH QUICKER.

....BUT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ANY PROG DISK THAT YOU NEED!