Windows 7: Microsoft selling crapware-free PCs in its stores

Microsoft selling crapware-free PCs in its stores

The computers at Microsoft Stores don't have the crapware that Windows PCs typically come with, but they still have an assortment of Microsoft and Adobe software. Most controversially, they include Windows Live Essentials and Microsoft Security Essentials.

By Emil Protalinski
Last updated October 28, 2009 8:15 AM CT

Not only is Microsoft reselling select Windows 7 PCs normally sold by its hardware partners, but the company is making sure they come only with the software it wants. Yes, that means that if you buy a PC from Microsoft, it won't come with the usual "crapware," though it won't be a clean install either. Microsoft is still bundling its own software, including Windows Live Essentials and Microsoft Security Essentials, as well as Adobe software.

Last Thursday when Windows 7 officially arrived, Microsoft opened up its first store in Scottsdale, Arizona (a second store is to follow in Mission Viejo, California). As expected, the store was stocked with Windows 7 PCs from various OEMs, and Microsoft even went the extra mile by selling them at its online store, though only in the US. It didn't become clear until recently, however, that Microsoft was doing more to these PCs than just picking them up and putting them on display.

"Trial ware is removed from the PC," a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed with Ars. "Microsoft Signature pairs the best PC hardware with a thoughtfully tuned software and services suite, taking your typical 'ready to assemble' PC ownership experience to 'ready to run.' For customers who purchase a Signature PC in one of our stores, our knowledgeable staff will help customers set up their passwords and networks, and tailor their browser, e-mail and other applications to their personal preferences before they walk out the door, so they can immediately enjoy their PC. Microsoft Signature PCs also come with 90 days support."

The new "Microsoft Signature PCs" initiative means the software giant is removing all preinstalled software from the computers it is selling, and loading them instead with full versions of programs of its own choosing. We decided to check for ourselves, and there are indeed Microsoft Signature PCs from every PC maker Microsoft's stores sell: Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba. They're all crapware-free.