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I'm getting a new laptop soon (Dell XPS) and was wondering if there was an efficient method for removing all the pre-installed crap that is so common on new prebuilt machines.

Looking for answers that do not recommend reinstallation of Windows. I am aware of this option but don't have the inclination nor the time to do it.

Excellll
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Darko
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6 Answers6

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The PC Decrapifier seems to fit your needs: http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

Rich Bradshaw
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Things to check when doing it manually:

Add/Remove Programs, or now known as Programs and Features

Startup menu under Programs

Startup tab in msconfig

Services tab in msconfig, check the box to hide all Microsoft services

DHayes
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I had lots of bloatware programs on my Sony Vaio laptop. PC Decrapifier was insufficient and a disappointment for me. It did not remove (detect) ~90% of the bloatware. So I had to do manual uninstallation of each program.

First I checked each program before uninstallation. I also found a list of bloatware programs that Sony pre-loads to its laptops. For uninstallations, I used Revo Uninstaller (Free) and it took some time. Finally, bloatware programs are gone for good and I'm relieved.

Mehper C. Palavuzlar
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No reinstalling Windows from a crap-free disk eh? OK, how about Add/Remove Programs? :) I think you'll be hard-pressed to find something that knows about every possible utility from every possible OEM, PC decrapifer maybe?

Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
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I like to simply re-install Windows fresh and clean - it is much faster and more sure than any other method. With Dell machines the crapware is usually on a separate disk that you don't need to install. Drivers can be a problem with Dell, though generally I download the latest network driver onto a USB stick prior to installing, and thus skip the need to ever even insert a Dell-specific driver CD.

While it is not fully on topic to your concern, I really like "crap cleaner", which like Kentucky Fried Chicken, is known by the initials CC. See piriform.com/CCLEANER . CC is great for cleaning up dangling registry entries and useless files.

Bryce
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LOL I just read about this a while back on LifeHacker --> Dell De-Crapifier

There's a newer one that's more generic decrapifier here --> PC Decrapifier

Glen Y.
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