I'm going to be helping (read 'doing for') a friend getting a new laptop
going.
I seem to recall that for Win XP there were utilities that simplified
removing the bloatware (free trials, browser toolbars, stuff like that) that
comes with the typical commercial install. [Or it could be wishful
hallucination -- I never used them.]
Is there anything like that for Vista? I haven't had any luck googling
obvious terms.

The computer is an Acer EX4420-5239-VHP, Vista Home Premium w/ SP1.

Any other hints / info / links on Vista-specific setup would be appreciated.

First of all, the simplest method is to use:
Control Panel | Uninstall
Please note that some programs on OEM machines require you to actually
install them before you can uninstall them: e.g. MS Office 2007 Trial.

Secondly, removing them only removes them from the "surface."
They will still exist extensively throughout the registry and the recovery
partition. And, if a reinstall ever occurs, it will all come back.

That said, the next method recommended:
http://www.yorkspace.com/pc-de-crapifier/

More controversial, but will prevent the bloatware from _ever_ returning:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228
(Requires you have an installation DVD)






"ggull" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm going to be helping (read 'doing for') a friend getting a new laptop
> going.
> I seem to recall that for Win XP there were utilities that simplified
> removing the bloatware (free trials, browser toolbars, stuff like that)
that
> comes with the typical commercial install. [Or it could be wishful
> hallucination -- I never used them.]
> Is there anything like that for Vista? I haven't had any luck googling
> obvious terms.
>
> The computer is an Acer EX4420-5239-VHP, Vista Home Premium w/ SP1.
>
> Any other hints / info / links on Vista-specific setup would be
appreciated.
>
>

http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

I came across this on the Net; I have not had the chance to use it yet.
A couple of MVPs have mentioned it; to try it..
--
Mick Murphy - Qld (Sunshine State) - Australia


"ggull" wrote:

> I'm going to be helping (read 'doing for') a friend getting a new laptop
> going.
> I seem to recall that for Win XP there were utilities that simplified
> removing the bloatware (free trials, browser toolbars, stuff like that) that
> comes with the typical commercial install. [Or it could be wishful
> hallucination -- I never used them.]
> Is there anything like that for Vista? I haven't had any luck googling
> obvious terms.
>
> The computer is an Acer EX4420-5239-VHP, Vista Home Premium w/ SP1.
>
> Any other hints / info / links on Vista-specific setup would be appreciated.
>
>
>

Now why would you NOT recommend getting the utility *direct* from the
manufacturers website?

http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Mark H" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Oy%(E-Mail Removed)...
> First of all, the simplest method is to use:
> Control Panel | Uninstall
> Please note that some programs on OEM machines require you to actually
> install them before you can uninstall them: e.g. MS Office 2007 Trial.
>
> Secondly, removing them only removes them from the "surface."
> They will still exist extensively throughout the registry and the recovery
> partition. And, if a reinstall ever occurs, it will all come back.
>
> That said, the next method recommended:
> http://www.yorkspace.com/pc-de-crapifier/
>
> More controversial, but will prevent the bloatware from _ever_ returning:
> http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228
> (Requires you have an installation DVD)
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "ggull" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> I'm going to be helping (read 'doing for') a friend getting a new laptop
>> going.
>> I seem to recall that for Win XP there were utilities that simplified
>> removing the bloatware (free trials, browser toolbars, stuff like that)
> that
>> comes with the typical commercial install. [Or it could be wishful
>> hallucination -- I never used them.]
>> Is there anything like that for Vista? I haven't had any luck googling
>> obvious terms.
>>
>> The computer is an Acer EX4420-5239-VHP, Vista Home Premium w/ SP1.
>>
>> Any other hints / info / links on Vista-specific setup would be
> appreciated.
>>
>>
>
>

Thanks to all for the suggestions, which all look good (or at least
interesting).
pcdecrapifier sounds like the utility I had been thinking of.