Remove bundled crapware from a new computer?

biometrics said:
As a developer I recommend against tools like this. They don't know the intention I as a developer had or what I changed.

If it works for you then great. My recommendation is to not use it. We'll agree to disagree.
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I understand your argument biometrics, but I think you are missing a crucial bit of information here.
Revo works for you FIRSTLY using the supplied/default Uninstaller as what came with the original software product. After the default Uninstaller has completed it's process, I goes on to find any leftover traces of files and registry entries that were not removed. My best guess would be that it uses the original installer and parses through it to determine what was originally installed and changed. Once the program is installed though, it will monitor any future installs and determine what the leftovers are.

So I think it addresses your concerns as a developer, but also those of the end-user that doesn't want any remnants left over after software has been uninstalled. It is my prerogative as an end-user to decide what I want on my pc, not some faceless developer.

And once I decide to remove software, I expect it ALL to be removed. But most times it does not happen and that is because the developers have decided o leave traces and files. Software like Revo would not exist or have a market to satisfy if Uninstallers actually did what was expected of them.

Maybe I am missing an important part of the argument here, so maybe clarify why developers do not remove all traces, registry entries and files when their Uninstallers are run. What is the reason for this happening?

Sincere question...
 
Why are you guys unnecessarily complicating things?!

Just right click->delete.
 
Of course, the real problems here are the amount of crap that OEM's pre-install on a new PC and the fact that these applications don't remove all traces of themselves when uninstalled.
 
ugh this thread went to hell fast.

For the record though...I fully agree with biometrics

ponder said:
If I had the time I would have put the iso images through vLite. Fortunately there was not much stuff to remove and it's all gone via the control panel. I checked the Program files folders and all the associated folders have been completely removed.

Still not sure if I can use the OEM license on the downloaded ISOs I have? Could be useful for future reference.
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Thats why im so interested in finding that damn post I mentioned. It had all the dos commands in it to make it fly. I don't recall whether it involved a retail disk or OEM...but def one not linked to a specifc supplier.
 
Ignorance continues to prevail. Obviously there are dodgy apps that will mess up your PC, such as TuneUp Utilities but Revo has established itself as one of and if not the best uninstaller. I've been using it for years on many computers and over never had any issues. Just as an example, I recently had issues installing a certain Microsoft product. It installed but certain parts of the features failed to install. I then had to uninstall it and reinstall to try and get it working. I used the built-in Windows uninstaller. Guess what? It didn't work. I spent a painful amount of hours trying to get it sorted before I decided to use Revo. As soon as I used Revo, I was able to get it installed and it's been running without issues ever since. This is just one example. But, it's your choice. As you were. If you think it's rubbish and/or dangerous, you've obviously never used it or known people that have and you are generalising this app with other dangerous apps. That is a very ignorant and naive stance to take. Do a bit of googling and you'll see why Revo is such an excellent app.
 
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I normally get a retail Windows 7 DVD for this. You can also get a genuine ISO and hash check it against MSDN hashes or borrow a friends. Install whatever version you wish, install drivers, software etc and then use the run or command prompt to install a matching OEM digital certificate and an OEM SLP key for the SKU that you've installed. This will legally pre activate Windows 7 offline using the SLIC 2.1 marker that's in the BIOS. NB. This method will only work on machines that have a genuine OEM SLIC 2.1 BIOS and will not work on custom built machines.

Once the computer is to your satisfaction, image the drive to DVD or a external drive using Acronis or something similar. Gives you the advantages of having genuine recovery disks without the OEM bloatware. If anyone needs precise instructions and require the relevant OEM certificates and SLP keys, please PM me.
 
ponder said:
Is mcaffee internet security suite worth keeping?
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This is a question? :-P

ponder said:
Still not sure if I can use the OEM license on the downloaded ISOs I have? Could be useful for future reference.
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Yes, you can use any regular retail disc with the OEM license key, you may just have to call the Windows activation line to get the OS activated. Some OEM discs use their own key that activates itself using BIOS information. That then requires you to change it in the Product ID section of the Computer Properties window, which I did many, many times with re-loading Windows XP, Vista and 7 onto HP and Dell laptops for the PE Municipality.

ghoti said:
MSE is a USELESS antivirus, rather go with Avast.
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MSE is incredibly useful. Avast just likes to hold your hand and tell you about every single damn thing it's doing. If some twat uses your PC and somehow puts all your programs into its sandbox mode, it's a headache getting them back out of that.
 
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NAG - Wesley said:
Yes, you can use any regular retail disc with the OEM license key, you may just have to call the Windows activation line to get the OS activated. Some OEM discs use their own key that activates itself using BIOS information. That then requires you to change it in the Product ID section of the Computer Properties window, which I did many, many times with re-loading Windows XP, Vista and 7 onto HP and Dell laptops for the PE Municipality.
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Thanks I'll keep that in mind for next time. I'm done with this laptop now except for the E220 modem/dongle that won't work. According to MTN the software/firmware is to old for Win7 and I can't update it from Win7 as it won't see the device so I have to do it from a XP machine. Guess what I'm installing on my own laptop now, yes XP....

I hate windows.
 
ponder said:
Thanks I'll keep that in mind for next time. I'm done with this laptop now except for the E220 modem/dongle that won't work. According to MTN the software/firmware is to old for Win7 and I can't update it from Win7 as it won't see the device so I have to do it from a XP machine. Guess what I'm installing on my own laptop now, yes XP....

I hate windows.
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Darn fragmentation :D hehe
 
ponder said:
Guess what I'm installing on my own laptop now, yes XP....
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Why not just do it in a virtual machine? That's what I did when I had to upgrade a E220 that worked with 32-bit OSes only and needed flashing to firmware that had 64-bit compatibility.
 
NAG - Wesley said:
MSE is incredibly useful. Avast just likes to hold your hand and tell you about every single damn thing it's doing. If some twat uses your PC and somehow puts all your programs into its sandbox mode, it's a headache getting them back out of that.
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No really, MSE is useless. http://www.informationweek.com/security/antivirus/microsoft-security-essentials-loses-av-c/240142986

Its the easiest AV to crypt against. Ive been in the industry too long to trust such poor quality, but if you like an under performing AV... then enjoy.
 
I always just format the machine and install what ever Windows the person had on it and use their key again.

ghoti said:
No really, MSE is useless. http://www.informationweek.com/security/antivirus/microsoft-security-essentials-loses-av-c/240142986

Its the easiest AV to crypt against. Ive been in the industry too long to trust such poor quality, but if you like an under performing AV... then enjoy.
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Most people like MSE because it doesn't bother them about anything, but it will never come close to a paid alternative.
 
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