Windows 7: Microsoft to remove crapware from OEM machines for $99

That particular link is a thread from back in 2007.

My point is simple. If one wants a computer with a clean install; to me their are four choices.
1. Buy or build a computer without a operating system and do a clean install.
2. Buy a built computer with operating system and then do a clean install.
3. Buy a built computer with operating system and pay some one to do a clean install.
4. One could buy a computer with operation system and the trash that comes with it and learn to like it.

Manufacturer bloatware is a bigger problem on Laptops. 2.5 years ago, I did not have the knowledge & expertise I now have (thanks in part to this Forum)

I bought a HP Pavilion DV7 for the missus, although I used it from time to time. After a few months, and several complaints about the krap that HP installed on it, the wife (demanded) -er-requested- that I do something about it. So I read the tutorial previously mentioned, with the intention of de-krapping the lappy. Then I thought better of it and backed up the relevant stuff, before carrying out a complete reinstall of Windows 7. Result: machine hums along nicely, one happy-with-the-lappy wife.

I think we tend to view what MS has done here, through the eyes of experienced PC users. Redmond knows exactly what they are doing here: lots of inexperienced computer users, will take up this offer. (If you know of one, you can make them a better offer. I know I will!)

Having said all that, I have to admit that $99 is a heck of a lot of money for this service. In some cases, it may be around 30% of the original purchase price. But my real gripes are (a) will it make it to the UK and (b) will it be the usual practice of ignoring exchange rates and going straight to £99?

That is what usually happens here with US-UK exchange rates, in relation to buying from a US source.

Agreed, I wasn't intending to argue. I'm just saying that for the average person who doesn't build on their own, getting a box without an OS isn't usually a standard option for them.

This $99 Microsoft "service" smacks of PT Barnum. Yeah, I guess they are "entitled" to charge the unsuspecting public, but is it really ethical?

That is open to debate. From my point of view, I think that they are quite within their rights to charge for this service. They are not responsible for the bloatware that computer manufacturers install, so why should they remove it for free?

Hi there
It's a commercial service -- you AREN'T forced to use it -- I know I wouldn't -- cheaper to buy a retail copy of Windows and re-install. However it's unfortunate that most people wouldn't realize this or can't install an OS .

Look at those totally EVIL payday loan companies that operate quite legally in the UK -- charging rates that even the Mafia might baulk at --

Wonga for example up to 3000% Interest (yes no typo here). At least these sorts of companies are banned in the rest of the EU and EEA - so it's not all bad in Euroland.

Those payday loan companies target individuals usually educationally challenged who for one reason or another don't know any better and the spiral of debt goes on and the poor hapless individuals sink further into the abyss while the courts and the "suited Lawyers" make even more money.

I'm not blaming MS -- just the poor educational system which leaves individuals open to exploitation of this sort of stuff.

Believe me --"Education might be Expensive -- but the price of Ignorance is Stratospheric".

Cheers
jimbo

Five apps for crapware cleanup

Five apps for crapware cleanup | TechRepublic

Hell, the Geek Squad charges at least this much. People go to them all the time, even pay them to come out. If they don't know PCs, or have a geeky friend, they don't know what else to do. A Guy