Big problem: unable to turn off "Messages" in X6

[FAB1]

I am an owner of Paint Shop Pro X6 Ultimate (for what it's worth, also Video Studio X6 Ultimate; also both in their X2 iteration). As a creative professional I have also purchased and recommended these products for companies I work with. I am a loyal customer.

There seems to be a MAJOR PROBLEM with the X6 version of the software pertaining to the way that "Messages" are piped to users. There is no way to disable these messages, which seem to fall somewhere between pro-tips and advertisements. As posted here.

It appears to me that there is nowhere in the GUI that allows a user to disable these messages. There is an option for each individual message to "not show again," but no option to disable messages entirely.

Because this is commercial software with a list price of almost $100US, it seems appalling that it has degenerated into honest-to-goodness adware. Ergo, I would request that Corel fix this issue in the next Service Pack and am graciously appealing to the userbase for an interim fix. Aside from blocking Corel's websites in the HOSTS file, there is probably a background process or registry setting affecting the way that these messages are pushed to a local machine. Can anyone provide details on how to turn them off?

If you are a user of X5 or below, the setting to disable these ads was in the Corel Guide, which is not in X6. More savvy users might be able to toggle the setting and see exactly what setting changes in the registry when turning off "messages." Can anyone assist in making this software behave like software and not a toy?

Thank you!

[russkc]

Same annoying problem for me. Searches for solutions just turn up the solution using the guide button which is only valid for earlier versions of PSP. I don't need ads whenever I start up PSP - my email already has an abundance of notes about how to buy more Corel stuff.

[Zacabeb]

I agree wholeheartedly. Seeing PSP turn into adware - while still costing money - is disgusting.

The ads are also fundamentally irrelevant to me as an advanced user. I've been using graphics software for almost 30 years and know my way around things intuitively. I don't want basic tutorials or tips shoved into my face. They could be useful to beginners, but must be possible to disable - and beginners probably want useful tips to become skilled rather than being told they need help with everything. If you need help you look for it, if you need tips to realize what can be achieved they need to be useful.

Those ads may in fact be irrelevant to most everyone. After all, they're not really tips. They're ads.

[Radim]

Can you make a screenshot of Messages box window?

Have you installed latest updates?
http://www.corel.com/corel/pages/index. ... id=7100001

[brucet]

No idea now how I did it but I never get any ads in PSPx6. I'll sleep on it and see if I can remember but if I can do it so should everyone else.

regards

[Joelle]

I do get the messages and agree with the OP that they're a pain.
To stop them I have made a shortcut on the Desktop and delete the messages as soon as I open X6.
It's more clicking (the messages appear every 5th time or so), but better than seeing them

messages_shortcut_path.jpg (7.81 KiB) Viewed 12866 times

Joëlle

[hartpaul]

Guys to describe it as a "MAJOR PROBLEM" is a bit over the top. After all when the message appears it is only one click to get rid of it and that only appears when you close the program. So you do 2 - 3 hours processing an complain about the extra second - 1 click - required to close that window. It is only a problem if your mind allows it. There are much bigger problems in the program , in windows and the world.
Does this appearance of the message and having to one click close it really impact on your processing. If it is that bad, then go spend 5 x more on that other bloatware program with all its extra steps to do the same as in PSP.

BTW as Joelle has said you can delete the messages folder and then if you operate the program on a computer disconnected from the internet it cannot refresh the messages folder and so you get no return , until you operate it while connected again.

Yes I agree that the messages are irrelevant. (I have not installed any of the Service pack updates so I keep getting reminded that an update is available, but one click and its gone til next time).

[Zacabeb]

The main deal with the messages is that it feels unprofessional, and suggests Corel cares more about PSP being a stepping stone for selling other products than a proper part of their lineup. It's a minor inconvenience to close the window when it appears, but a big inconvenience if this is for what they primarily want to push PSP - as a concealed marketing platform.

But yes, the big A that is not a fruit are doing worse things and daring to force it and potential downtime upon professionals. However, that is a golden opportunity to give PSP a boost and turn it from the poor user's Photoshop into the new Photoshop (after all, they've been around for about as long and both influenced one another). Pushing ads through it is a waste of potential.

[Joelle]

It's sad but true that PaintShop Pro generally gets seen as software used by hobbyists and rarely by professionals.
People who do a lot of editing using PSP know this is rubbish, but try to convince the world and his dog that The Mudhut is better, is an uphill struggle.
Large companies use The Mudhut product, not PSP. I would think that Adobe has something to do with this..
PSP is a very capable program, I am convinced that I can get pretty close if not match Photoshop. It might take a little longer and does require good knowledge of the program, but that is the same with any program.

Any software house will try to push their wares, especially at the moment, where the new enthusiasm for tablets has removed a lot of potential customers for Corel.
Having said that, I dislike the unwanted ads as much as you do.
My method works and it's only one or two extra clicks, so no big deal.

Joëlle

[hartpaul]

BTW it is not only Corel. I have windows 7 on a laptop and for some reason lately it will not hold Adobe flash player. I go to youtube and it says I need a version of flash player greater that 10.1. So I have to go and install the latest Adobe Flash player 13 . xx. Turn off the laptop and restart and the installation is lost and I have to do it all again.
BUT!!!!!
At the end of the installation I get a message from Adobe that I might be interested in one of its other products, usually Elements, or Lightroom. (Yes even Adobe has these add messages, must look and see if it happens with P***...s..p) I admit that the flash player is free and so the advertising may be valid, but at the same time Corel PSP and Aftershot Pro are also very cheap in comparison so perhaps they need that bit of advertising.
I wonder does it occur with the more expensive Corel products as well - Corel Draw ...
I have not tried to remove these adds as it also does keep me in contact with the latest updates to the discovery centre and perhaps any new products and Service packs which I do not install unless it has a 'can't do without' feature or improvement.
Yes some of the adds are irrelevant, but is that not the case with much of the advertising these days on websites, TV and even Pay TV , and haven't we learned to look past / through / ignore most adds nowdays. I know I have.

[Radim]

I dissabled Corel PaintShop Pro.exe in firewall (my is Comodo Internet Security Free) and I never seen messages.

[hartpaul]

Brilliant Radim. So easy too.