I am really angry with FreeGamePick.com. I sent them an email on this issue a week or two ago and never got an answer. I just found another case of the same issue.
Apparently, their files have some sort of Time-Stamp on them and when they get so old, the way the install is done changes -- NOT for the better.
The files I'm talking about date back to about 2010. I've seen 10 or 11 do the same thing.
I backup and save the install files I download (other than stubs) so I can re-install the program later if needed. I found that it doesn't matter how "clean" your install looks. These old files have no hijacking questions and you have full ability to change the installed folder location. Sounds ideal, doesn't it? Nope!
After some years, the install, while looking nice changes and you note a difference in the game executable's icon. If that happens and you just see the FGP joystick, you're in trouble. You cannot play the game unless you allow the installation of the Ask toolbar.
Nothing during installation -- they catch you when you play. If you uncheck everything, the Play button is not active!
The game I did today was originally installed on a Windows Vista machine successfully. I tried it later with Windows 7 and the install was fine but I could not get the mouse visible. It installed on Windows 8.1 with no problem back in April.
Today I decided to see if I could use DXWnd to get the game into windowed mode or otherwise get my hands on that mouse! I reinstalled using the SAME file. It had the toolbar gotcha! I changed to MyRealGames and (not using DXWnd) was able to get it windowed and got my mouse. The game works fine.
Because of an earlier disagreement with FreeGamePick, I reduced the number of games I have with them. I reduced by about 10 or 11 more now with this later gotcha.
Unless it is an extra special game that is ONLY available from them (not likely the way they have been adding games), I will no longer download games from them. I cannot trust them long term! I only have 8 left from them and they may not stay under the circumstances but I already have them running!
Has anybody else seen this behavior? They could at least have answered my email and warned me that my other games might do the same.