Unable to download Google Chrome on Windows 8.1 / new HP laptop

[Zullyfra]

Hi, I just purchased this new HP laptop TODAY -- and have been trying to download Google Chrome and set Google as my homepage because I have been working with Google products for the last 5 years and it is my preference.

However, in the first instance, I get a message saying I can't download Google Chrome, even though I've verified the download is for Windows 8.1, then it also triggered a virus infection and caused the security software to do a threat scan -- three times!!  In trying to simply set Google as my homepage, when I click on the actual 'set up' button, the screen simply freezes. 

It's almost as if Yahoo / HP is not allowing me to choose my Browser and search engine....does anyone know how to fix this??   I've never had this happen before.

Thanks!!!

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Thank you for posting in the HP Support Forum.

In this particular case, neither HP nor Yahoo prevent the computer from getting Chrome browser. Especially when you mentioned that the security software triggered an alarm, this means that most probably you tried to download a fake copy of the Chrome browser and thanks God the security software prevented it from installing. It is quite common nowadays because this is popular software and fake copies do exist. Sometimes they appear on top of search result in search engines and they do not lead to the official vendor's site but some other server.  Additionally, if this is not the case, your computer might also have already been infected by some pest which redirected your traffic to fake Chrome.

There is only one official place to download this product - Google official site/sub-site

Click here  =>  https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/desktop/index.html   and  choose Download Chrome blue button in the middle of the page

Follow the on screen instructions.

Some additional instructions from Google ->  https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95346?hl=en

Here are some other instructions how to set up home page in Internet Explorer

http://blog.laptopmag.com/set-blank-browser-home-page

For Google, instead of blank page, you need to enter www.google.com  as the page address

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/change-home-page#ie=ie-11

Hope this helps 

[Zullyfra]

Awesome!!!  Both worked --- never realized the possibility of 'fake' Chrome download.  Wow...my security software did its job. 

Thank you, thank you!!  

[IT_WinSec]

Hi there,

You are most welcome !

[BD03]

Suggested solution is trivial and incorrect.

downloaded from approved site (suggested by HP)

problem persists

waste of my time

error message received repeatedly