On consumer PCs, crapware is still a performance-sapping nuisance

[JMH]

On consumer PCs, crapware is still a performance-sapping nuisance

Summary: Are PC makers finally getting the message that their customers don’t want crapware? A close look at three consumer PCs delivers a mixed answer.

The weakest link in the PC ecosystem is, without a doubt, the one right before the hardware reaches your desk.

That’s the conclusion I’ve drawn over the past two months as I’ve compared three pairs of modern PCs. What made this experiment especially interesting was comparing the software installations provided by the PC manufacturers with a clean alternative called Microsoft Signature, which is available only through the Microsoft Store.

On consumer PCs, crapware is still a performance-sapping nuisance | ZDNet

 

[stevieray]

Crappy PC No More! | The PC Decrapifier

 

[Corazon]

Crappy PC No More! | The PC Decrapifier

An excellent tool, but:

1. Nothing beats a clean OS installation done right. (Just ask gregrocker LOL)
2. How many consumers even know about PC Decrapifier, let alone understand its purpose? Not too many, that's the problem.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi all
Even though you don't unfortunately get the OS disk any more I've long since campaigned for the bog standard OS (OEM version you've paid for with the PC) to be at least supplied either on the HDD or in it's own partition.

You've paid for the windows OS --although an OEM one --and since the machines are sysprepped we won't ever get back to the days where the OS (OEM version) was included with the machine. However you should still get the basic OS --You've PAID for it !!!!.

If you actually go to a store however you can usually get a RETAIL copy of the OS thrown in if you do a little bit of haggling --at worst they can only say no so you haven't lost anything at all by asking. These days in the current economic climate they will gladly throw in a copy of W7 Home Premium with a PC rather than see you leave the store with nothing -- they are STILL making money on the deal !!.

(You can then do an anytime upgrade if you want W7 professional / Ultimate later).

Then when you get home --image the PC with the standard utility that you will be asked for --so if you get a problem you can restore the factory state -- then WIPE the disk clean and re-install from the RETAIL OS that you got.

You might have to load a few drivers after boot but you should be up and running with a nice squeaky clean system.

IMO this approach is far far better than messing around with things like "De crapifier" and if you need to re-install then you've got the W7 install disk (or image).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[pparks1]

I've honestly not found that uninstalling the crapware is really all that difficult. We performance enthusiasts would rather have a clean install, no doubt about it. But most others would rather have the lowest cost period...and if that means having a few extras installed, or a little bit of effort removing what isn't needed...then so be it.

From a support standpoint, I think it would be easier for the Dell's and HP's of the world to support people who are using a common install. It's far easier for them to support, which technically based on the OEM license they have to support rather than MS. Thus, I can really see them wanting consumers on their load and if trouble ensues that the system restore is completed to put it back just the way it was.

For those who don't know tools like PC Decrapifier exist, do you think they are the type who want to take a standard issue OEM or Retail copy of Windows and actually load their own OS?

 

[Corazon]

For those who don't know tools like PC Decrapifier exist, do you think they are the type who want to take a standard issue OEM or Retail copy of Windows and actually load their own OS?

No, of course not. That's the whole point here. Users who don't have much knowledge of how everything works, and consequently, what to do when trouble arises, shouldn't have to accept a crapware-laden OS to begin with (and be led to believe that's the only way they get the OS at all).