How to generate install link WITHOUT the VPN client on Mac?

SemoTech · 2022-03-01T06:50:20+00:00

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Hello, I am using the Family License, and if I generate a link to share for installation, the link downloads a .PKG file that installs both Antivirus for Mac as well as the VPN Client. That is very confusing to the person installing, and I need to be able to generate and share a link for Antivirus for Mac only, no VPN!

This worked fine in the trial version, but seems the options to select just the product you want to get the link for to install is gone once the Family License is purchased & activated.

Anyone know a solution?

Thanks.

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Alexandru_BD

Hello @SemoTech and welcome to the Community!

Bitdefender VPN is installed automatically alongside your Bitdefender security solution, as it's included by default in your Bitdefender product on Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. It offers 200 MB daily traffic per device and automatically connects you to the optimal server, without having the possibility to change it.

Best regards.

SemoTech

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/306484#Comment_306484

Thank you for the prompt reply Alexandru. I am aware of this, but there has to be a way to install just the AV or just the VPN. Bundling them, especially when the VPN is limited to 200MB without buying another license is forced advertising, and a "bait and switch" practice. How do I get just an AV install link like I got for the trial?

Multumesc.

Alexandru_BD

Hello,

You can uninstall the VPN separately after installing the antivirus.

Cheers.

SemoTech

Multumesc, I am aware, but that is still confusing to see the VPN by the person installing it using the link provided, especially since it is not just installed silently but launched and running, and causes additional manual work on each computer. If at least it was installed silently and not run that may be a compromise but just like the demo/trial there should be a way to choose what product gets deployed, and the ability to generate a .PKG file that is just for AV, or just for VPN, or just for Parental Control. Why would the trial be different than the full license?

Alexandru_BD

In regards to the VPN, the limited version was included in the paid subscription as a result of user requests and I think it's really nice to have along with the antivirus. It won't allow the user to select the server and the traffic is limited, but it's there when you need it, for example if the user only uses VPN occassionaly, when connecting to public networks or when they wish to avoid tracking. I discovered that, for many users, the available traffic is sufficient, while some users indeed do not use it. The users that require VPN most of the time, have the possibility to upgrade to the Premium version, thus there is something for everyone. I am unsure about the trial differences though.

When it comes to the products and their features, I think the best approach is to collect as much feedback as possible, as a service provider. And we do this, each and every day and we put it to good use. I would like to thank you for taking the time to provide us with yours and I have forwarded your opinions to our product developers for analysis.

Best regards.

SemoTech

Multumesc Alexandru.

Please take my input and please consider to allow the selection of wanted products upon generation of download link ,so that everyone can chose what products get installed and it is not decided for them. This will mirror exactly the Antivirus trial you already offer.

Multumesc din nou.

logyca

Regarding the VPN, I cannot uninstall this feature. I have a VPN and I do not want the Bitdefender one. How can I uninstall it, now the Antivirus for Mac has been installed. Can you support me with the steps to take on a MacBook pro?

SemoTech

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/306577#Comment_306577

To uninstall the forced upon us & crippled VPN app, 1st right-click on it and close it from the top Menu Bar. Then using Finder go under "Applications" and in the "Bitdefender" folder run "BitdefenderUninstaller", select "Uninstall VPN Only", then press the [Uninstall] blue button.

Good luck, and really hope Bitdefender changes this ridiculous & unwanted upsell of VPN.

At least install it silently, don't set it to run at startup or launch as soon as the AV is installed which confuses people!

SemoTech

@Marlene8, what does sending instructions on setting up Mac VPN have to do with the fact that Bitdefender PUSHES their data capped VPN App, and even forces it to run at startup? This choice by the Bitdefender marketing team is causing a lot of confusion and triggers questions thus wasting time.

If one wants the VPN App from BitDefender, they should be able to install it from a direct link just like the AntiVirus, SEPARATELY!

KnightRider

The uninstall works a first, but the VPN keeps on re-installing itself on my Mac (Monterey 12.6.). So after a few days (today actually only one) the VPN is back and the same problem (automated start cannot be disabled) is also back.

Really disappointed with this behaviour. I will not buy Bitdefender again although the anti virus part (the tool that I actually bought) seemed to be working fine.

Gjoksi

@KnightRider

Hello.

Check out these articles:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1784/

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1446/

Regards.

SemoTech

@Gjoksi We all know how to uninstall the VPN, we just dont want it shoved down our throats automatically when installing the Antivirus.

KnightRider

@Gjoksi did you read my post? I know how to uninstall the VPN, I did it a couple of times, but it keeps re-installing itself! So the only solution would be to uninstall the complete Antivirus, which would leave my Mac unprotected.

Only Bitdefender can fix this by 1) not forcing customers to install unwanted software in the first place, or 2) allowing customers to disable auto start of the VPN and 3) allowing proper uninstall of VPN only, without automatic re-install.

southerndoc

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/316959#Comment_316959

Was this ever fixed? It's automatically installed on my devices, which I turned around and uninstalled.

However, reading your comment about it repeated reinstalling the VPN is concerning and will cause me to cancel my subscription (which I just signed up for today) and issue a charge back with my credit card.

Bitdefender is exceeding their welcome by forcing the installation of the VPN component.

SemoTech

@southerndoc Of course not. The fact that this has not been fixed for so long is a clear indication it is part of their marketing strategy to force an unwanted product on their customers.

southerndoc

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/341326#Comment_341326

I regret signing up for Bitdefender. It's basically adware pushing their VPN app and not having "special offers" turned off by default in their settings.

Alexandru_BD

Hello,

I was under the impression that this thread was concluded. 🙂

In my previous post I have pointed out that a basic VPN version was included in the paid subscription as a result of user requests. To enhance user experience and gather feedback, the developers often conduct surveys and ask customers what they want. The insights collected in this research revealed that the majority of respondents expressed their desire for Bitdefender security solutions to include a VPN application, which of course can be upgraded to a version with more benefits, IF this is necessary for the client. The teams acted accordingly and offered a free version bundled with the AV.

Most users appreciate the convenience of having multiple security tools in one package. It simplifies the user experience, as they don't need to look for and install a separate VPN application, if they need one. Thus, including a VPN adds value to the package. For the same reasons, the portfolio has evolved to include all-in-one suites with multiple services (Password Manager, Digital Identity Protection, etc). In the event the app is not required, or the user already has another VPN installed, the Bitdefender VPN can simply be uninstalled as per the procedure explained above.

Also, by including a VPN, you can encourage users to adopt safer browsing habits, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks. This aligns with the overall goal of protecting users from various cyber threats.

Regards

southerndoc

At the very least, the VPN installation should be optional. Simply unchecking a box during installation would be an OK option. Forcing the installation only to require it to be removed is not what every user wants.

I for one won't be renewing my subscription. I just installed Bitdefender for the first time a few days ago, and already it has annoyed me enough to not renew.

Between the forced VPN installation, the careless attitude toward it ("just uninstall it"), and the enabling of marketing by default is not only going against what customers want (the majority does not mean all), but it also borders on violating law.

Alexandru_BD

Thanks for getting back @southerndoc.

Following the feedback received, the VPN teams are exploring the proposed solution and I guess we'll just have to wait and see what they decide.

the majority does not mean all - Precisely for this reason there's something for everyone and if you are referring to marketing communication, this can also be disabled, either using the relevant settings, or by contacting the Support teams to remove the email address from ALL communication flows altogether.

SemoTech

@Alexandru_BD, being under the impression that the "thread was concluded" would imply a change or solution to a problem presented. Replacing ones ability to click a checkmark with time-consuming manual labor to uninstall something unwanted in dozens or hundreds of systems AFTER product installation is NOT a solution!

In 2.5 years since I reported this, there has been no change, except for a doubling down on a marketing decision to push and "bundle" a crippled product there is clear pushback against.

You keep saying that research showed clients want this, but you also see clearly as per this thread that some do not. I bet there are many others, they just have not made their voices heard.

No one said there should not be an option for the VPN, we just asked to make it an option at installer generation time, and not force it upon us!

Why not meet us ALL in the middle and provide the one-second one-click option to select what should be included in the installer, the same way that you already do in your trial version, where you simply select just the products you want to get the link for the installer to share. You already have the code written to allow selecting what should be included in the installer in your trial product. Therefore enabling the same code in the paid product should be trivial, yet here we are 2 years later still discussing it and we are still asking for it.

Bitdefender will continue to loose clients for not allowing this option and just causing grief for the sake of marketing and profits.

Thank you.