Just DeCrapified My PC

[EchoX860]

Wasn't sure if this would go into here or Setup. But I just got rid of a bunch of stuff HP put on there.

HP Software Update
HP Advisor
My HP Games
HP Setup
PC Alerts
PC Dashboard
PC Discovery
PC Dock
HP Customer Experience Enhancements
HP MediaSmart DVD
HP MediaSmart Demo
HP MediaSmart Movie Themes
HP MediaSmart Music/Photo/Video
HP Odometer
HP Remote Solution
HP Support Assistant
HP Support Information
HP Update
Homepage Protection
Picture Mover
Power2Go
PowerDirector

These came on my W7 PC, is there a way I can do a a complete re-install of W7 and not have these on my PC. I ran CCleaner (both sections) and DeFraggler, is that good enough? This is my first W7 PC and I want this to be the last PC I'll need for a loooong time.

 

[Bill2]

Since you now have a clean, decrapified system, I would suggest you image it using free Macrium reflect. Save the image on an external drive, then whenever required, you can just restore from the image and you'll have a good as new system without the bloatware.

The other option is to clean install with a generic win7 disk (borrow from friend etc.), then activate by using the COA sticker key at the back of the machine. You'll need to call MS and do a phone activation.

Cleaning with CC and defragging should be enough maintenance. The bloatware might have left some empty folders and even files. You can poke around and remove them manually, but be careful.

 

[gregrocker]

Many tech enthusiasts are not happy with performance even after removing all of the useless HP utilities and bloatware/trialware programs, which can corrupt just by their removal.

I'd run the CCleaner "Run Cleaner" and Registry tab, then Auslogics DIsk and Registry defraggers, uncheck all Startup freeloaders besides AV and gadgets in msconfig>Startup, run sfc/ scannow then watch your Event Viewer>Admin View for repeat errors and see how performance shakes out.

Meanwhile you can be looking out for a Win7 installer to borrow/copy, as you can unlock all versions in any installer to do a clean install with your licensed version using the Product Key stickered to your computer. Ei.cfg Removal Utility Lets You Use Any Product Key With Your Windows 7 Disc

Be sure to make your HP Recovery disks first so you have a path back to Factory condition and so you can wipe the HD of all partitions to get the cleanest possible install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

You can also extract favorite apps from the HP Recov Disks using this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...are-after-clean-win-7-install.html#post488270

 

[zigzag3143]

Im Helping my best friend remove these and other goodies HP in the infinite wisdom insisted we have. If they had given us a win 7 DVD instead of a recover it would be done by now.

UGH!!

 

[Bill2]

Im Helping my best friend remove these and other goodies HP in the infinite wisdom insisted we have. If they had given us a win 7 DVD instead of a recover it would be done by now.

UGH!!

You bet, Ken. I just helped a friend do exactly the same thing. HP absolutely sucks when it comes to bloatware- mediaplayer, sling player, HP updates, you name it. Over a gb of useless stuff. But I also taught my friend to image and be happy since OEMs think pennypinching on clean recovery CDs can save them millions and MS thinks it can wipe out casual pi@#*y.

 

[gregrocker]

They enforce the bloatware now because it provides most of their profit margin on all but business machines.

If you call them only speak in hypotheticals about clean reinstalling as they can void your tech support warranty for as long as they suspect you are clean. I have gotten tech support a dozen times telling them I have bloated Vista or Win7 when I really am clean and may even have a newer OS.

That's why it's important to make your Recovery CD's or save an image before clean reinstall in case you have to ship it back for hardware servicing.

Makers get a big OS cost break for putting Office trial on, a nice cut from Mr. Norton and an average dozen other crappressarios.

It's almost impossible to remove it all without irreparably damaging system files, esp. Office and Norton.

We hear some reports that Dell still gives an Install DVD, but Gateway quit as soon as Acer bought them. HP hasn't since XP. There are some reports that MS requires them with Win7 preinstalls (as with Upgrade kits) to provide a clean copy DVD if it is demanded so demand it and let us know here.

 

[Bill2]

We hear some reports that Dell still gives an Install DVD

Not any longer. They stopped in May this year.

 

[EchoX860]

Macrium doesn't work on x64 apparently. What would this do by the way.

 

[Bill2]

Macrium doesn't work on x64 apparently. What would this do by the way.

Who says? The installer contains both the 32 bit and 64 bit editions. Heres a tutorial.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

What it does is backup your current windows install as an image, say on an external hdd. You also get to make a bootable rescue cd. Now, if the OS gets screwed up/ unbootable/ sluggish, you can just plugin the disk where you saved the image, boot from the rescue cd and run the restore process. Your windows drive will be restored to the exact same state it was when you imaged.

 

[EchoX860]

Will all of my Music and Programs be on there?

 

[gregrocker]

You can do the same thing with built-in Win7 backup imaging, using your WIn7 DVD or Repair CD to reimage when needed.

It lacks some features of the free Macrium app, but it is built in and hasn't failed me here yet.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

 

[si8mon]

The amount of crapware coming on new PC is mazing. Even the OS can be complete crapware. Has anyone used Windows 7 starter?

 

[EchoX860]

Okay, I created my CDs (DVDs) using Macirum what now?

 

[Bill2]

Okay, I created my CDs (DVDs) using Macirum what now?

You mean you installed Macrium, imaged your system AND created the rescue cd? If yes, you are set. Keep the rescue cd safely, keep the drive on which the image is stored safely.

Next time, when you decide you want to re-install windows, you wont have to! Just restore that image.

 

[EchoX860]

...No I imaged them onto Multiple (3) DVDs.

 

[gregrocker]

I believe these are only image storage DVD's which are not self-booting.

You still need to make the Macrium Boot Disk to boot the computer to reimage the HD.