Windows 7: Remove HP Navigation Panel from Win 7 Help and Support

dre1x · 14 Feb 2013

Recently purchased a used HP Pavilion p6616f with Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit already installed
(AMD Phenom x4 820/6 GB RAM/750GB SATA HD, 250GB converted ATA HD)

Shortly after I received it I created a backup to the 2nd 250GB HD (even though there is an HP Recovery Partition) and a I made a Win 7 64 bit Repair Disk.

I then went about removing the HP Bloatware:
HP Update
HP Setup
HP Advisor
HP Support Assistant
HP Mediasmart Photo
among others that I didn't need

However, when I open 'Help and Support' from start menu panel, instead of a the normal Win 7 window, there is a HP navigation panel with linked icons to:

Getting Started > goes to regular Win 7 window
Sound > goes to regular Win 7 window
Internet > goes to regular Win 7 window
CDs/DVDs > goes to regular Win 7 window
Security > goes to regular Win 7 window
Trouble Shooting > goes to regular Win 7 window
System Info > goes to regular Win 7 window
HP Support Assistant > program not found (I uninstalled it)
Contact Support > goes to HP contact page with other various links

How do I get rid of this HP Navigation Panel and get back to the original Win 7 'Help and Support window?

I don't have original install discs or the create one-time only backup discs
There is a 12GB HP recovery partition, which I assume will reinstall Win 7 and HP bloatware
I made a Win 7 64 bit Repair Disc and backed up Win 7 to my 2nd 250GB HD

Any help would be appreciated, my last DIY Windows XP machine ran fine without any HP support bloatware for assistance!

thanks

dave

Golden · 14 Feb 2013

Hello Dave,

Try this to see if it helps:

Clean Up Factory Bloatware

better still, perform a bloat-free clean install:

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key

Regards,
Golden

dre1x · 14 Feb 2013

Thx, I will look into these solutions

I think I like the idea of a clean install, just didn't know quite how to do it, more accurately didn't know where to get the discs or .iso's.

Just another question, although this is not critical.

I installed VMPlayer and Win XP SP2, after the install of XP it required activation, which worked flawlessly.
Will I be able to reinstall VMPlayer and Win XP again and have it activate? I think I can, even if doesn't it really no big deal, just would be nice

Golden · 14 Feb 2013

Hi,

The Clean Install is the far superior approach (there is a download link inside the tutorial for the ISO if you haven't already seen it).

I don't see why XP and VMPlayer won't activate after an install, although I don't know much about it. If there are options to deactivate them, I would do that first before a reinstallation.

Regards,
Golden

dre1x · 14 Feb 2013

Thx, again

I did find the iso for Win 7 Home Premium 64, downloading now.

I have some experience with the MS DVD/USB tool, as I experimented with Win 8 RC/Consumer Preview.

Greatly appreciate the advice and the info links.

Golden · 14 Feb 2013

dre1x · 15 Feb 2013

Thx for the advice and how-to links!

Created an install DVD and USB, used the DVD for reinstall.

Performed a clean install of Win 7 Home Premium 64 SP1, no problems. Reactivated (via robo-call), no problems.

Reinstalled my VM and Win XP SP3, reactivated, no problems.

All seems to be working fine!!! Thx again

Golden · 15 Feb 2013

No worries

Windows 7: Remove HP Navigation Panel from Win 7 Help and Support

Remove HP Navigation Panel from Win 7 Help and Support problems?