Reinstall or remove programs to get rid of junk?

[MG.]

Hello to all. I just got a Dell laptop with Win XP Pro and want to "clean
it up" (i.e. remove all the junk Dell installed, etc). I am wondering if
it's easier and better to do a fresh install or can I just go the
Add/Remove programs route and use a "safe" registry cleaner for the
remaining detritus. I really don't mind reinstalling all the drivers, etc,
and since I've had the PC less than a week, there's NOT a lot of programs
on it yet.
Also, if I do a reinstall, will I have to reactivate?
Thanks in advance to all, and best regards.
Morey G
Inspiron 5150 P4 Mobile (Willamette) 3.06GHz
640 MB RAM
ATI Radeon Mobility 9000 64MB
Fujitsu 40Gb HDD
QSI CDRW/DVD Combo
Internal 802.111b/g WiFi Mini PCI
Win XP Pro SP1

 

[Mike Hall]

Some of us that have never owned a Dell are blissfully unaware of what
constitutes 'Dell junk'.. perhaps you could be a little more specific..
re-installation using the Dell recovery cd (assumed that Dell supplied a cd)
will re-instate the 'Dell junk' anyway..

 

[MG.]

Mike,
Sorry for being vague. Probably, "junk" was a little harsh. Some of it may
not be considered junk by some folks.

What I consider "junk" is basically stuff like "Dell Image Expert"; Trial
version of Paint Shop Pro 7 (I already have the retail); Dell support
program, MS Works 2003 suite (I'm getting the new Office suite after Oct
21), and a couple of other programs I don't use.
Dell provides a full Win XP Pro SP1 CD with the piece, not just a recovery
CD. The applications are on a separate CD.
Regardless, some of what I was asking was more generic than brand-specific.
Is it necessary to do a clean install or will add/remove programs do just
as good a job? Sounds like a generic question to me.
And my re-activation question had nothing to do with Dell.
Thanks,
Morey G.

 

[MG.]

Thanks for the advice, it's appreciated.
Regards,
MG