While I’m no Windows or Microsoft fanboy (believing fanboys of all persuasions to be as bad as one another) I do use Windows more than any other operating system. It has had its ups (XP, 7) and its downs (ME, Vista), and it’s set to be tested when Microsoft re-imagines it with the new Metro UI in Windows 8, but it’s still the Windows we know and love. Or hate, depending on your point of view.
One thing that annoys every Windows user is the crapware that comes pre-installed on new computers. This isn’t actually Microsoft’s fault, despite what some people think, but thanks to PC manufacturers bundling a load of software onto their machines before they get sold in stores, it’s a problem, regardless of who is to blame. Which leads us to this week’s ‘We Ask You‘ question.
This Week’s Question…
How Do You Deal With Windows PC Crapware?
PC manufacturers bundle pre-installed software with new computers for two reasons: to ensure some features work straight out the box without a need for the end user to search for a solution themselves, and to save money. Both are legitimate reasons; the first saves n00bs from getting frustrated, the second keeps the cost of buying a new PC down as low as it is.
However, that doesn’t stop it from being really annoying. Anyone who knows a little about computers would rather start with a clean slate and a fresh version of Windows. They can then fill it with their own crap in their own time. Inspired by Microsoft’s recently announced Signature program which sees the company remove all the detritus for you for $99, the timing seems ripe to ask what you do to combat Windows PC crapware?
Do you leave it all on your new PC and work around it? Do you sort through each added program in turn, deleting those you deem unnecessary? Do you use software designed to remove crapware with the minimum of fuss? If so, which software? Do you use a workaround to get a clean Windows install? Let us know in the comments section below.
All comments will be digested to form conclusions in a follow-up post next week where we will detail what ‘You Told Us’. One reader will be chosen for the coveted ‘Comment Of The Week’, having their name put up in lights for all to marvel over. What more motivation than that do you need to respond?
‘We Ask You‘ is a weekly column dedicated to finding out the opinions of MakeUseOf readers. The questions asked are usually open-ended and likely to start a conversation. Some are opinion-based, while others see you sharing tips and advice, or advocating tools and apps to fellow MakeUseOf readers. This column is nothing without you, as MakeUseOf is nothing without you.
Image Credit: A Florian
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I prefer my PC to be clean…i use Revo Uninstaller to remove all junk.
Way to go, Revo Uninstaller is the best!
Although Windows 7 came installed on my Asus laptop, I re-installed it from one of the publicly available ISOs Microsoft made available. (I’ve heard this doesn’t work for all brands, such as HP.)
Zero crapware!
publicy vailable ISOs? where please?
where are those publicy available ISOs?
http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/
MS probably took them down after a while, but these seem to be working:
http://techpp.com/2009/11/11/download-windows-7-iso-official-direct-download-links/
http://www.mydigitallife.info/windows-7-iso-x86-and-x64-official-direct-download-links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/
Right, I tried to do the same thing with my HP Elitebook. Everything ended up failing horribly. Thankfully, HP shipped me the OEM disks for my computer and now I don’t have anymore problems.
That’s a great tip, thank you :)
I always use PC Decrapifier. Simple to use and covers most all of the bloat that manufacturers tend to put on new PCs.
http://pcdecrapifier.com/
Are you sure that also removes all the registry keys and strings from the files that were pre-installed?
The only way is to get an OEM version of Windows (there were ISO downloads on a site mentioned on other forums), completely erase the hard drive and delete the hidden partition where the vendor puts their restore drive, and then re-partition the disk before loading the OS again using your manufacturer provided activation keys.
Unless I’m mistaken, if you restore using something like HP’s restore from the drive or from disks, you’re just going to get all their bloated programs again.
I’ve been planning to reinstall Windows 7 for months now, but I’m not sure whether I want to keep that restore partition that the manufacturer included.
I was thinking of getting a 2nd hard drive and having both drives be bootable.
One would have the original manufacturer’s Windows load with the bloatware, and the other would be just a Windows install with possibly a dual boot with Linux. All you need to do is change the BIOS depending on which drive you want to boot from.
i always wipe everything, re-install windows, and never had any problem….
Image the restore partition and stash it somewhere on an external.
I remove it all.
Have you ever removed something you have later regretted?
CCleaner or mess around in Program Files & system32 manually.. :D
Manually tinkering is for the more confident geeks ;)
Well I would install Linux on it :D
But my parents have no idea what that is, so I remove all that junk manually. They barely know how to work Windows, so I can’t install Linux :(
have you tried Mint 13
http://www.linuxmint.com/
would suggest using cinnamon desktop
Back when I used to buy brand name PC’s the first app to be added and ran was PC Decrapifier to get rid of all the crapware. These days I build my own so the only crap that goes into my PC’s is the crap that I put there.
Building your own does solve the problem, that’s true!
That’s easy.. I never buy PC from manufacturer! Those instant PC are full of garbage, crapware, unnecessary hardware, and over price. I build my own PC, compare price and feature, choose everything from motherboard to hard disk, format, install Windows, and feel so good with fresh new PC!
Building your own is the way to go if you have the time to price shop on the web.
Did you buy most of your parts from Newegg after watching the various price comparison sites? At certain times of the year, you just can’t beat off the shelf sales, though. After the last holiday season, I saw an HP with an AMD Phenom quad core, 8 gig ram, 1.5 tb drive, Win 7 HP go for anywhere between $280-$350! For that kind of price, you can spend another $100 to upgrade the 250w PSU and video card.
While I use web for checking price, I prefer to go to local PC shop that has engineer. We talk and choose hardware piece to piece, and start build it up with screwdriver.
Building a PC from scratch isn’t something everyone can do, unfortunately. Unless they have a tech-minded friend willing to help.
Whenever I get a computer with Windows pre-installed, I first go through the Control Panel > Programs and Features and remove all programs that I have not installed personally and/or do not want. That effectively is everything that is not part of Windows. I then go through the startup program list (with something like Ccleaner) and remove all the startup programs that are not essential, to speed up the starting process. I then run Ccleaner to remove as much as possible of the rubbish left in the registry by all of the aforementioned.
Regards,
Bob
CCleaner is a good approach but it won’t get everything. I don’t know why computer hardware vendors just can’t supply and OEM Windows OS disk,
or give the consumer the option of a complete erase and reinstall of just Windows.
CCleaner! As simple as that. :)
Did you ever install Norton AV or Norton Internet Security? After uninstalling, and running CCleaner, see how many references to Norton are still left in the file folders and the registry. Norton is pre-loaded on many computers with a 90
day trial. It’s still one of the best security programs, but very, very intrusive. It almost takes over the computer.
I think anyone who states that any software carrying the Norton brand is “one of the best” at anything should not be allowed to state his or her opinions in public.
Also, Revo Uninstaller’s deep cleaning option will kill all traces of Norton, and I’ve found that Symantec’s own Norton Removal Tool does a perfectly adequate job of exorcising a machine as well.
Check out the PC Mag and PC World reviews of the Best AV programs for 2012. Norton is there as one of the better ones:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp
http://www.pcworld.com/article/248479/best_security_suites_pc_bodyguards.html
Anyone who dismisses Symantec’s Norton as a tool for scanning a computer is being very close minded. Symantec has long been the go to site for defiinitions of trojans and malware and instructions for having to remove it manually. As I’ve said, their program inserts itself in too many places for me to consider using it again. The old comments that it made a computer sluggish were changed several versions ago.
I’ve to agree that Symantec is a big brand but there are couple of antivirus that easily provide better security and features than Norton. One good example is Kaspersky, very reliable. I’ve installed more recent versions of Norton on my other PCs but sorry to say when it starts its scan, I’ve to go out for lunch :)
btw, couple of new brands such as BitDefender, Panda are also doing well.
One helpful resource is http://askreview.net/best-antivirus which introduces to new brands.
Never used Norton. Had been using the free avast.
Once more vote for Ccleaner. Also glary utilities is quiet good.
I use linux :)
Or get all the best free apps from the trusted site http://www.filehippo.com/
all you ever need really
Remove it ALL!! download FF with IE and delete IE :P
Hint: Carry a Ninite executable around on a thumb drive. You can prep it to automatically grab Firefox or Chrome and a full suite of web helpers and security software in addition to whatever else you need so that you don’t have to sully a machine with IE in the first place.
I am a Technet member and I have access to licenses for everything I’d want to have on a new machine. Everything gets wiped and replaced with a fresh system image. In rare cases (e.g. extra buttons on a laptop keyboard, or the thingy that configures the joy-nipple on a Thinkpad) I’ll add back in an OEM package, but only if I discover that there is somehow functionality missing that Windows or some other product does not already provide.
Since my images are largely already prepared the actual work involved in this is pretty minimal.
I set up a couple HP Probook 4530s last week that were taking about 3 minutes from boot or resume from hibernate to get to a clean desktop with no hourglass and after a wipe and reload they were down around 40 seconds.
As far as I’m concerned wipe and reload is the only way to fly.
1) For OEM version of Windows I use “ABR Activation Backup and Restore” http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore?page=6 to extract the activation files.
2) Download and install the iso from e.g. Digital River.
3) Restore the activation files using “ABR Activation Backup and Restore”
4) Your clean install is Done!
I format the hard drive and instal the OS again.
Although MS have got better with uninstalling software without leaving other junk, I’d rather begin with a nice clean registry, folder organisation (as all this crapware likes to add folders for its own files) etc.
I clean install Win 7 on my main machine biannually to keep everything clean and efficient so really installing the OS, Office, VLC player and the odd other program on a new machine is often faster than finding all the other shite the manufacturers add on.
I’m amazed more people don’t regularly reinstall from scratch. It leaves a computer minty fresh!
I have the competing traits of being possibly over possessive of my PC and conservative/lazy.
If I’ve got an OS disk then I’d aggressively remove the crapware by hand (I’ve learnt some useful things trying to root out stuff in the past so would tend to do it myself rather than use third party software) knowing that I’ve got the safety net of starting from scratch. However I wouldn’t just routinely wipe off what was there because getting all the right drivers can be time consuming (see being lazy above) .
If I don’t have a disk then I’ll just remove the obviously unneeded stuff – games, trials, programs I use a different product for – but leave most of it there and just stop it auto running – at least for a while.
I haven’t bought a lot of pre-built computers, so I don’t have an established system, but I usually use the program uninstall list to get rid of all the crapware on my computer as soon as I get it. However, I have found that some of the programs they put on are important, mainly CyberLink PowerDVD, which came installed on my computer because I have a built-in Blu-Ray drive and need software to play them.
That’s an important point to make, that there are certain pre-installed programs that are better left on.
First thing i do when i buy a new PC, is format it and make a clean windows intall. It saves me more time than getting rid of all the junk that comes with it.
i use pcdecrapifier
revo
ccleaner
slimcomputer is another one like pcdecrapifier
http://slimcomputer.com/
i just re-install windows…..
The last computer I bought from Dell was a refurb and there was no crapware at all. Not sure if that’s their standard procedure though.
That’s interesting, maybe buying refurbed machines is the way to go!
What I did was switch to Linux.
When I did use Windows I did a lot as suggested above.
Along with “CCleaner” I would suggest “Advanced SystemCare” It is a great tool for the non-techie computer user, It has a one click “Care” button It cleans your History, Temporary internet files, spyware remover etc.. it has a Defrag tool, Registry cleaner, and some other cool tools to help with performance. It has some advanced tools too, anyone with Windows should use it.
I uninstall the stuff I can, and disable things that are a pain to uninstall so they shouldn’t start up and slow the computer down.
For the first week, after I bought my latest laptop, I kept all bloat ware (crapware) on it as I was learning all ins and outs of the new machine and O.S. Then I ran speed test.
Next I formatted the HD, keeping only the recovery partition. Now my laptop is Rock-In, even the speed-test says so.
Windows 7 is now preforming as advertised as well as is my laptop.
Make sure you have all your drivers and O.S.
Crapware that comes free on your machine will cost you if you don’t get rid of it.
That’s a good tip to spend a week getting to know your computer first before starting to blitz the crapware. Thank you.
I removed two trial versions after the trial period was over and they came with uninstallers and i love all other programs .
Someone who like crapware?!
i buy my new pc(once again)! I use to unistall by the standard windows uninstaller located at program pannel, anything that doesn’t “suits” me. when i feel that pre-installed crap remaining in my windows is enough, i use my pc normally at my own needs. that means i install my own stuff to my machine. at some point after a long use, my pc usually looks like a crap-basket! so, it’s time for me to my first clean installation of my windows copy. in this point i backup that installation exactly when everything i really need is installed. after that, i can have my windows recovery at any time! no more clean installations but still no more crap preinstalled, no more waiting time! best solution-try it!
It’s been said in the comments earlier, but the best way to get rid of the bloatware IMO, is perform a fresh Windows install. Delete partitions the manufacturer set up, create your own. Install vanilla Windows and then add the programs you want on your PC.
I also have a laptop that I just installed Ubuntu Business Remix on, which is basically Ubuntu without the games. (I use the laptop for business.)
I reinstall Windows from a clean OS disk (Download it legally here: http://www.mydigitallife.info/windows-7-iso-x86-and-x64-official-direct-download-links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/), then use Ninite to install all dependencies and apps.
Here’s ninite, the quick app installer: http://ninite.com/
Here’s two links to help you out:
Building your own:
http://pcpartpicker.com/
Cleaning your own:
http://www.truefla.me/home
I start by creating an image so I can restore to factory state if the computer is every to be sold. Then do a full clean install of an OS so it multiboots. The new default OS is usually a flavor of Linux.
The bloatware that comes on new PCs aren’t that bad. Some of them even prove to be extremely useful. For example, on a new Acer I got, the bundled WinLocker software served my security needs. I wish I could pick and choose the software preinstalled on my computer though. Some companies have brand specific software that doesn’t work on other brands. Preinstalled on my HP Elitebook is a suite of professional and security software that have been a blessing. I wish I could have the same suite on my other computers. Likewise, I want WinLocker on my Elitebook without paying a license fee.
There have been a couple I have kept myself, so not ALL crapware is useless. The vast majority though.
Little known fact: You DON’T have to get a computer with all the “crapware”. In fact, I think there is some legislation in effect that PC manufacturers HAVE to provide consumers with the option to purchase pre-built systems WITHOUT the extra software. I’m not pulling this out of my hat. It’s the industry’s dirty little secret. I used to work for Dell and this was something we knew about, but obviously, it’s not widely known or publicized. Not only can you order a PC WITHOUT the OS, or with Linux instead, which I think had some origin with the anti-monopoly laws, but I believe you can also order the PC with Windows, but WITHOUT all the after-market software. If you do so, they have to comply. It’s been a few years since I was at Dell, but I’m 99% sure I’m remembering this correctly. Perhaps someone else in the industry can confirm/deny this for me.
Keep in mind, that this would only work for computers you have built for you, such as Dells or MDG (are they still around?). If you buy something off the shelf like a pre-built system at Wal-Mart, then you’re on your own. For that, I recommend uninstalling, using CCleaner and making a backup image right away, as many others have indicated.
Personally, I always build/upgrade my own systems and never buy pre-built, but knowing that you DON’T have to put up with the “crapware” in the first place, is a good start.
That is very interesting and worth a little extra digging. :)
What i do varies some, but my general attack path is this: Fresh install of OS, install necessary programs(AV,maleware scanner, FW, etc). THEN i get down and dirty. Go in and remove unnecessary windows components, stop unneeded services, and when im looking for maximized performance: tweeking my registry. On some of the older OSes i also used dachund software for increased pc performance(it recompiled the windows kernel amongst other things for greatly increased speed)
PC Decrapifyer. Or do the real deal by downloading all of those drivers from the manufacturers’ site, clean the disc and then reinstall Window$ without any of that hidden crumbs. Always works for me and the people that pay me to do that to their computers. And I also build to suit.
I help people buy computers and set them up , so what I do first is really talk to the client , is he a complete beginner. What programs does he know how to use?.
I get rid of the free 60 day anti virus first using an uninstaller and then cclean to check the registry for left overs . I then say buy the microsoft office key right away or get rid of the 90 day trial and use something else. I check the free games , depending on the client may remove some. I usually keep the free maintance hardware of the manufacturer because I will be the tech for the machine. Then I usually leave the rest of the stuff unless its really bloated. I check what is in start up and set the computer to level 2 from tweakhounds recommentations This guy knows his stuff. I then time startup and shutdown and i”m done. The real bloat comes with the web cam, printer, scanner , digital camera etc. etc you might end up with 6 photo edit programs and 5 file managers.
Install Linux.
I was waiting for that comment ;)
Remove it immediately. Norton trial :( gets removed first, before checking for updates.
I TRY to remove ALL the crapware but Internet Ex-PLODE-r can’t be removed :)
I eliminate the obvious junk with iobit uninstaller, and then backup. Then I start using cc cleaner to take a look at what else is there, check the startup files against the internet to see what is lurking in the system, and one by one weed out the junk by first eliminating the startup exe and then deleting the program if nothing crashes (after, of course, setting a backup point).
in my opinion if there are selection, i rather buy a blank disk pc when they not give me the real original cd for windows and instead they just give me original key or worst just a recovery cd. that way i can setup the pc all i want from get go to the software that will be bunle inside the system. 1st reason i rather chose this is, in my country, the shopper are smart ass n they keep talking this n that until we pay the money n they give all item except the original windows cd. when asking they inform that areout of packed n provider or manufacture also dont give them (bullshit).that was totally fraud. n when asking with force they just give a recovery cd that same function like system restore but with automatic done n u just fill in the blank n click yes n okay only. then from recently experience, the shopper just install all freeware inside the system include all most wanted software like productivity like microsoft that replace with openoffice. powerdvd replace with some freeware crap like kmplayer (if mpc still acceptable) n winamp with althought free replace with songbird or i forgot the name the put. n antivirus also same. then some nighbour ask me to redone the pc, but seriously i dont touch warranty pc and ask him to get to store back and ask them to do it.
for removal always use revo uninstaller, then follow with ccleaner for junk n rest is free windows registry cleaner, auslogics disk defrag, n there u go fresh new pc with no crapware. n speed like u buy yesterday
I use PC decrapifier followed by CCleaner to delete unused registry
I use Revo Uninstaller as well and then back it up with CCleaner for any left over fragments, but usually Revo takes care of it all.
avira antivirus, revo uninstaller my weapons
tune up utilities by healer
windows back up ,restore & windows ultimate disc my defence
time to kill some crap head zombies in windows land wait there are cookies
eat it clean it before it starts messing up
There are two ways I deal with PC Crapwares. The first is uninstall everything that dont seem really usefull, like demo of software and supplemental softwares. The second is when i feel there is too much Crapwares take note of my serial numbers and reinstall my installation of OS and other importants softwares.
look in your public folders ! start–search–public–there are folders [ plus ] to match every folder on your start page. there is SOOO much CRAP stored there that is totally USELESS. videos,tv shows,music,pictures and more. DELETE them and get back that wasted drive space
Typically, I use sysinternal tools. Autoruns and process explorer find active programs that auto start. Also look into Soluto. I’ve tried it on a couple of XP systems and found it worked as advertised.
Good article this one, i work as an IT Assistant and we often have to by a new laptop or then again just a new PC. And it virly is a problem with all this crapware, either it is a PC or a laptop.
Whould love to get info on where to get the best crapware pereferably FreeWare of course. Revo Uninstaller isent that good in my opinion and cost 98,10 $ for 5 PC’s not that expensive yet again in a buisness you deal with 1- 300 laptop / PC’s. So it can be expensive when you know you can use the build in remove in Windows XP, Vista and 7
The follow-up article to this one has a list of the software recommended by readers in getting rid of crapware. I hope it helps – http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-do-you-deal-with-windows-pc-crapware-you-told-us/
I use linux.
Using revo unisntaller,cc cleaner .. iobit malware remover ,and oly essental rpograms that i used.I stopped playing games,so i much easier to clean my pc cluttering and stuff like that.. torrent files, ect