New HP PC, Full Of Crapware HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Getting.Out.Our.Dreams]

So I just bought a pretty sweet HP PC, i plugged everything loaded it up and turned it on.

Now before I get explanations of business models and subsidized cost, I just want to say I UNDERSTAND THAT.

How ever, it's still a buzz kill to see all the gunk that comes preinstalled in the machine.

It would have been different if they gave me a choice of things to install, rather than installing it all.

I wanted to know what my options are in getting rid of it, can anyone help me?????

[extrasoap]

I think ccleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/) works well. After uninstalling all that stuff, you can clean out your registry too.

[chadw01]

fdisk /mbr

[yakkers]

I just bought a HP laptop and have the same problem, I removed a few things through "add remove programs" I thought that was enough?

some things, i wasnt sure if I should remove or not as wasnt sure if I actually needed them.

[mlerner]

It is quite annoying, if you can get a copy of a full OEM copy of Windows or borrow a disc from someone, it will work with your HP product key.

[randomdef]

fdisk /mbr

what would that do other than clear the master boot record?

[sxz]

Format and reinstall Windows Vista (or XP). Problem solved. :D

[yakkers]

why isnt deleting through "add remove programs" enough?

[sxz]

why isnt deleting through "add remove programs" enough?

Usually when you delete things off in Add/Remove Programs it leaves traces of the program you deleted (whether it be preferences, registry keys, other misc. files or just junk that takes up space). Usually if you have a LOT of these programs that you want to remove (as per the OP) and it's a new computer (so it's not like the OP has much to lose) then a format is the quick and easy way to thoroughly clean and rid your computer of unwanted programs.

[yakkers]

if you format and re-install with the windows disk that was given to you from HP, will it re-install all the junk?

[yakkers]

actually, I just looked through all the stuff i got with my laptop, and I didnt even get a windows disk? wtf?

I did get a windows upgrade disk, but it requires an additional upgrade purchase for something or other?

[Dave98]

try
http://www.pcdecrapifier.com

[i6s1]

if you format and re-install with the windows disk that was given to you from HP, will it re-install all the junk?

Generally speaking, yes. The disks that major OEMs give you aren't the regular Windows install disks, they're images that get copied straight on. The images contain Windows and all the junk.

[talktwo]

I usually use partition magic to delete the entire disk first, then reinstall a fresh copy of Windows XP. Sometimes manufacturers like to create a separate partition containing "restore" files. This can take away precious disk space.

So anyways, my recommendation is to obtain a Windows XP disk, use partition magic to wipe out the "restore" partition if it exists, create and resize your partition as you would like, then reinstall a clean copy of Windows XP. :)

[trinh]

Format and reinstall Windows Vista (or XP). Problem solved. :D

this is the best choice by far

[yakkers]

this is the best choice by far

what if you didnt get a clean copy of XP or Vista with the computer? do you have to find one some how?

[mlerner]

this is the best choice by far

The problem is HP won't give you a full installation disc, except if you got in the Vista upgrade program.

[champ91]

if you format and re-install with the windows disk that was given to you from HP, will it re-install all the junk?


No, because recovery discs will just load back to the original factory settings which has all the advertisment software


actually, I just looked through all the stuff i got with my laptop, and I didnt even get a windows disk? wtf?

I did get a windows upgrade disk, but it requires an additional upgrade purchase for something or other?


If it is a vista laptop then you are suppose to make your own recovery disks, they dont' make them for you anymore. Just get a couple dvds and make them yourself they are on a separate partition on the harddrive.

[yakkers]

If it is a vista laptop then you are suppose to make your own recovery disks, they dont' make them for you anymore. Just get a couple dvds and make them yourself they are on a separate partition on the harddrive.

yes, I read something about that as well, that doesnt really help with the re-formatting to get rid of all the HP junk however, guess ill just have to live with it.

[Kevinck]

I just setup a new HP vista desktop for a family member. All the crapware does come with nice uninstallers through add-remove programs (or whatever the new vista name for that is). Uninstall norton, hp games, rhapsody, hp advisor, hp printer drivers, hp photosmart express, etc. Sure there will still be some registry entries it didn't properly clean up but in the grand scheme of things it is a very small amount of stuff that'll be left in there. After installing a few applications of your own it will be insignificant. A clean install would be best but I was pretty happy with the system after the uninstalls.

As for restore disks, 95% of desktops and laptops haven't come with restore disks for at least the past year. Maybe 2. They've had an application that lets you create them. Do that now so you at least have them even if you never have to use it. It's under "PC Help and Tools."