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high rated
A growing number of games on GOG comes bundled with 'Galaxy'. While Galaxy is actually 100 % optional, scammer tactics are being used to hide the opt-out option from the consumer. So here's a short guide to let you get back your choice:

When you click on a game in your library, there will be a sub-headline saying either GOG GALAXY GAME INSTALLERS or CLASSIC GAME INSTALLERS.

If it says "CLASSIC GAME INSTALLERS" it means that the installer does not (yet) contain Galaxy. So you can safely download the installation files.

However, if it says "GOG GALAXY GAME INSTALLERS", that means that it contains Galaxy. While this installer has an opt-out option, that choice is hidden away in a discrete "options" submenu. So even if you're accustomed to opt-out of bundleware checkboxes, you can very easily get tricked by this one. Heck, I got fooled by it myself! However, you can still access the classic, non-galaxy installers. Again, they have been hidden discreetly away. Instead of clicking the Galaxy-bundled installers, click on that grey MORE icon and select CLASSIC INSTALLERS. Unfortunately, the GOG homepage doesn't remember your choice, so you have to do this each time you want to install one of your games. Dunno if this is incompetence or nagware tactics.

Let me be super clear on this: I think it's great that we have Galaxy for those who want it! Tried it myself, and it ain't bad, even if it reportedly is a memory hog. Still, GoG should respect that a lot of their customers simply don't want to bother with yet another client. It is really disappointing that GOG actively tries to hinder their customers in controlling what they install on their own computer.
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KasperHviid: A growing number of games on GOG comes bundled with 'Galaxy'. While Galaxy is actually 100 % optional, scammer tactics are being used to hide the opt-out option from the consumer. So here's a short guide to let you get back your choice:

When you click on a game in your library, there will be a sub-headline saying either GOG GALAXY GAME INSTALLERS or CLASSIC GAME INSTALLERS.

If it says "CLASSIC GAME INSTALLERS" it means that the installer does not (yet) contain Galaxy. So you can safely download the installation files.

However, if it says "GOG GALAXY GAME INSTALLERS", that means that it contains Galaxy. While this installer has an opt-out option, that choice is hidden away in a discrete "options" submenu. So even if you're accustomed to opt-out of bundleware checkboxes, you can very easily get tricked by this one. Heck, I got fooled by it myself! However, you can still access the classic, non-galaxy installers. Again, they have been hidden discreetly away. Instead of clicking the Galaxy-bundled installers, click on that grey MORE icon and select CLASSIC INSTALLERS. Unfortunately, the GOG homepage doesn't remember your choice, so you have to do this each time you want to install one of your games. Dunno if this is incompetence or nagware tactics.

Let me be super clear on this: I think it's great that we have Galaxy for those who want it! Tried it myself, and it ain't bad, even if it reportedly is a memory hog. Still, GoG should respect that a lot of their customers simply don't want to bother with yet another client. It is really disappointing that GOG actively tries to hinder their customers in controlling what they install on their own computer.
Great guide.
Going to share it with your credit.
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KasperHviid: Still, GoG should respect that a lot of their customers simply don't want to bother with yet another client.
Or any client at all.

Anyway, good guide, good of you to try and spread awerness of the classic installers and the Galaxy disease. Still, all we can do is make more forum threads, when what is really needed is information that would reach beyond the forum, to all the GOG cusstomers. And that's something only GOG can do, but doesn't want to.
Post edited July 14, 2017 by Breja
I love the example image.
GAAH! I started downloaded a Galaxy infected installer AGAIN! :-O
Probably the easiest way is to stop buying GOG games and go elsewhere for your DRM-free titles... :P
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GR00T: Probably the easiest way is to stop buying GOG games and go elsewhere for your DRM-free titles... :P
Roam the seven seas? Or?
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Nightblair: Roam the seven seas? Or?
No, I prefer to stay legit.
low rated
Stop worrying and learn to love the client.
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Weclock: Stop worrying and learn to love the client.
Yes, Dr. Strangeclock.
Some marvel created a script that sets your DL page to the gogdownloader instead of the way gog are pushing.

https://www.gog.com/forum/general/gog_downloader_links_script
Another approach is to, whenever possible, avoid the Windows version. Since there's no Linux version of Galaxy (yet), if you download the Linux version, you will always get the version without Galaxy. (Of course, this assumes you can actually run the Linux version of the game in question.)

As an added bonus, this approach allows you to get rid of Windows (which itself has DRM unless you happen to have a pre-XP version), allowing you to truly go DRM-free (unless it shows up in the BIOS or otherwise in firmware).

(I don't really know what the situation is for Mac OS X.)
high rated
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fishbaits: Some marvel created a script that sets your DL page to the gogdownloader instead of the way gog are pushing.

https://www.gog.com/forum/general/gog_downloader_links_script
Ugh, don't use that one.. it's old and hacky (and may not even work anymore)

The newer amalgamated version is much better. Plus it lets you default to Classic Installers if you want instead of the Gog Downloader ones.
Just a bit of fun:
Attachments:
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KasperHviid: A growing number of games on GOG comes bundled with 'Galaxy'. While Galaxy is actually 100 % optional, scammer tactics are being used to hide the opt-out option from the consumer. So here's a short guide to let you get back your choice:

When you click on a game in your library, there will be a sub-headline saying either GOG GALAXY GAME INSTALLERS or CLASSIC GAME INSTALLERS.

If it says "CLASSIC GAME INSTALLERS" it means that the installer does not (yet) contain Galaxy. So you can safely download the installation files.

However, if it says "GOG GALAXY GAME INSTALLERS", that means that it contains Galaxy. While this installer has an opt-out option, that choice is hidden away in a discrete "options" submenu. So even if you're accustomed to opt-out of bundleware checkboxes, you can very easily get tricked by this one. Heck, I got fooled by it myself! However, you can still access the classic, non-galaxy installers. Again, they have been hidden discreetly away. Instead of clicking the Galaxy-bundled installers, click on that grey MORE icon and select CLASSIC INSTALLERS. Unfortunately, the GOG homepage doesn't remember your choice, so you have to do this each time you want to install one of your games. Dunno if this is incompetence or nagware tactics.

Let me be super clear on this: I think it's great that we have Galaxy for those who want it! Tried it myself, and it ain't bad, even if it reportedly is a memory hog. Still, GoG should respect that a lot of their customers simply don't want to bother with yet another client. It is really disappointing that GOG actively tries to hinder their customers in controlling what they install on their own computer.
Many thanks for your post. I was very worried. I have tried GOG Galaxy in the past and it messed up my whole system.