I have version 3. No apparent problems, of course, I was already using Advanced System Care Ultimate with Antivirus.

What I have found out from working with the Iobit support folks is that you need to exclude the exe. from skinning.  Haven't had to do that before but do now. 

I was able to decline the install of the other items.

Hmmm, dunno what's going on with your setup and IObit, but mine updated okay to 3 and seems to be working as it should.  As for it hijacking your 2.9 installation, well I've not heard of such a thing, not from IObit, at least.

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I purchased Advanced System Care in a special deal that included Smart Defrag Pro, Driver Booster Pro, Uninstaller Pro and Secure Folder Pro, all for S19.95, which may be the difference... the pro versions, that is.  I've never accepted the toolbar and I've not had it install regardless, so it does seem to be unusual behaviour from a trusted, well respected software company.

Perhaps it would be worth your while emailing IObit to explain what happened and express your displeasure while seeking answers... cos if they respond in the same way as to a friend of mine, you may receive a complimentary pro package for your troubles.  It's worth a try.

You could always give Auslogics a try. It's a pretty good defragger.

http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/

Doc - reread the last sentence up there.

Missed that, not that it's a biggy, kona...was more concerned about the tool bar stuff.

Was wondering where you downloaded it, Daiwa. but glad you picked some good software.

A pity IObit screwed the pooch. I might give v.3 a try, just to see what's going on with that.

Been so long since ran into an exclusion issue that I hadn't considered that, particularly given that SD2 has its own skins and did not require exclusion.  WB indeed on both rigs.  Perhaps that was playing a role.  Thanks for reminding me.  Might test the theory out of curiosity.

RND - Did you have to exclude SD3 or other IObit apps, too?

The hijacked install of 2.9 is the really troubling bit of work, though.

Appreciate the feedback.

Doc - got it from IObit's website.

Nope. Haven't excluded anything. Installed, ran, no problems. But, mine wasn't an update. Version 3 is my first version. Maybe that's the difference?

My other rigs have SSDs, which you do not defrag.

I cleaned my rig thoroughly of all IObit software using Revo & CCleaner, followed by a reboot before the install so in that sense it wasn't an 'update'.  If there was anything left over before that 'clean' install of SD3 it was very well hidden.

That just might be the case. I'd write to their support and ask them what the deal is...

Interesting...when I clicked to dl SD3, I was redirected to MajorGeeks.

Just buy an SSD and forget about defragging....... AND gain all the speed benefits too!

Turns out it was a conflict with WB that SD2 didn't have.  Re-installed SD3 and excluded the .exe as philly suggested and it's no longer crashing.  Wish I'd thought of that sooner, so thanks for the reminder, philly.

Doc - When I re-downloaded it today, it redirected me to MajorGeeks, too.  Prior downloads came directly from IObit's site, as recently as last evening.

Still not particularly pleased with the prior version installation hijack business, which is just wrong on many levels.  For now, I'll let it ride.  Still merits the 'big' in 'big disappointment' but at least SD3 is running, without any unwanted apps.

BoXXi - I'm with ya there.  Would consider SSD but this rig may get retired in the not too distant future as it's been a daily driver for >3 years now.

I have had zero issues with defrag3 and I recently uninstalled systemcare (I have some redundant apps) and still no issue. I wonder if it is exclusive to 64bit. I had an recent issue and had to run some stuff and iobit programs came up as problematic, which surprised me. I had to uninstall the iobit uninstaller and iobit malware fighter (which both 'slipped in' with another iobit install.

I am finding more and more software companies are doing this. I recently ran into this with Any-Video-Converter installing ASK Toolbar without permission. I happen to LOVE AVC so I emailed them and bitched accordingly. They not only apologized but sent me a license for the paid version of AVC AND helped me get rid of the damn toolbar that was installed.

I wouldn't hesitate to email iobit and let them know you've been a faithful/loyal user until now and tell them what your issue is. At the very least, if enough people complain they may reassess this new practice. There is just simply too much competition out there for these companies to ignore users issues forever.

PerfectDisk Free Defrag is - IMO - a better option for those with a 'mechanical' drive looking for a free defragger. Tried them all last year......PerfectDisk, Smart Defrag, Defraggler and a couple more..........and PerfectDisk's smart placement option seemed to perform the best. Uninstalled the free version a few weeks back and purchased the full recently released version and could not be happier. Super fast boot times and great overall response from my drives. Not SSD speed but hopefully later in the year I can pop a 256gb SSD in to take over.  

I see a 30-day trial, Leo, but no 'free' version listed on their website.  Raxco, right?