Cleaning Bloatware from new laptop

  • Thread starter Thread starter ggull
  • Start date Start date
G

ggull

I'm going to be helping (read 'doing for') a friend getting a new laptop
going.
I seem to recall that for Win XP there were utilities that simplified
removing the bloatware (free trials, browser toolbars, stuff like that) that
comes with the typical commercial install. [Or it could be wishful
hallucination -- I never used them.]
Is there anything like that for Vista? I haven't had any luck googling
obvious terms.

The computer is an Acer EX4420-5239-VHP, Vista Home Premium w/ SP1.

Any other hints / info / links on Vista-specific setup would be appreciated.
 
First of all, the simplest method is to use:
Control Panel | Uninstall
Please note that some programs on OEM machines require you to actually
install them before you can uninstall them: e.g. MS Office 2007 Trial.

Secondly, removing them only removes them from the "surface."
They will still exist extensively throughout the registry and the recovery
partition. And, if a reinstall ever occurs, it will all come back.

That said, the next method recommended:
http://www.yorkspace.com/pc-de-crapifier/

More controversial, but will prevent the bloatware from _ever_ returning:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228
(Requires you have an installation DVD)
 
Now why would you NOT recommend getting the utility *direct* from the
manufacturers website?

http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


Mark H said:
First of all, the simplest method is to use:
Control Panel | Uninstall
Please note that some programs on OEM machines require you to actually
install them before you can uninstall them: e.g. MS Office 2007 Trial.

Secondly, removing them only removes them from the "surface."
They will still exist extensively throughout the registry and the recovery
partition. And, if a reinstall ever occurs, it will all come back.

That said, the next method recommended:
http://www.yorkspace.com/pc-de-crapifier/

More controversial, but will prevent the bloatware from _ever_ returning:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228
(Requires you have an installation DVD)






ggull said:
I'm going to be helping (read 'doing for') a friend getting a new laptop
going.
I seem to recall that for Win XP there were utilities that simplified
removing the bloatware (free trials, browser toolbars, stuff like that) that
comes with the typical commercial install. [Or it could be wishful
hallucination -- I never used them.]
Is there anything like that for Vista? I haven't had any luck googling
obvious terms.

The computer is an Acer EX4420-5239-VHP, Vista Home Premium w/ SP1.

Any other hints / info / links on Vista-specific setup would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Thanks to all for the suggestions, which all look good (or at least
interesting).
pcdecrapifier sounds like the utility I had been thinking of.
 
Back
Top