crapware posts

Filed under: Utilities, Features, Windows, Freeware, How-Tos, Windows x64

How to replace the crappy pre-installed software on your new Windows 7 PC with great free apps

by Lee Mathews Oct 23rd 2009

So you picked up a new Windows 7 laptop (or desktop) or you're planning on buying one in the very near future?

If you took a look at display models in stores like Best Buy or Frye's, you no doubt noticed that new systems come with a lot of programs pre-installed. Lots of software is a good thing, right? Not always.

Trouble is, what you get is often a) not really useful software or b) a time-limited trial. Office 2007 and the antivirus protection the salesperson told you about? They're 60 day trials. After that, they're going to ask you to pay up...But you don't have to.

No, you can tell those apps to keep their hands off your credit card! With all the great, free software Download Squad has covered over the years, there's really no need to burden your new system with that kind of software timebomb.
With just two simple apps you can quickly strip away all the bloatware (that's what us techy types call the excess crud preinstalled on your new system) and get yourself a nice selection of totally free software that will never expire!

Tags: bloatware, cleanup, crapware, decrapifier, features, install, installer, new laptop, new pc, new-pc, NewLaptop, NewPc, ninite, windows-7, windows7

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

PC Decrapifier 2.0 released

by Lee Mathews Sep 15th 2008

As someone who unboxes a lot of new laptops, PC Decrapifier has been a trusted helper for a long time.

It's always been good at removing the bloat from factory Windows installs. In the past, however, it's taken a little while for programs to go from forum suggestions to being included in Decrapifier. That's what version 2.0 is all about.

With an improved scripting engine, updates to Decrapifier should be available much more often (read more about it in Jason's post on the Decrapifier site).

Currently Decrapifier can remove common bloatware like McAffee, Norton, and Office 2007 trials, several Roxio, Sonic, and Corel apps, and even AOL software. If you're the "friend that knows about computers," be sure to keep Decrapifier on your flash drive for quick, automated removal tasks.

Tags: bloatware, crapware, uninstall

Filed under: Security, Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Anti-Malware Toolkit Keeps Your Aresenal Up-To-Date

by Lee Mathews Aug 14th 2008

For those of you charged with the unenviable task of malware removal and defense, keeping your toolbox current can be a lot of work. Lunarsoft's Anti-Malware Toolkit simplifies the process by providing an easy way to handle downloading.

The Toolkit is really just a downloader which fetches the current versions of programs like Super Antispyware, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, HijackThis, Spybot, Autoruns, CCleaner, and LSP Fix. It also grabs programs that you'll want to install to prevent further issues: Avast, Firefox, Comodo Firewall.

Point it to your USB flash drive or network share, hit the download button and grab yourself a cup of coffee.

While you could do this with just about any decent download manager, why bother? Anti-Malware toolkit already targets most of the tools you're going to need and it's as simple to maintain them as clicking a single button.

Tags: antvirus, cleanup, crapware, malware, removal, spyware, trojan, virus

Filed under: Windows, Commercial

Complain and you shall receive: Sony drops $50 anti-crapware fee

by Brad Linder Mar 21st 2008

Earlier today we reported that Sony was going to charge customers $50 to remove crapware like trial software, anti-virus applications, and other software that you probably didn't want anyway from its TZ2000 line of laptop computers. While it might sound funny that you're expected to pay money to receive less software, there's a pretty simple explanation: Software companies pay computer makers to add a bunch of junk you never asked for to your PC. So Sony wanted to offer a bloat-free option, but planned to make up the lost revenue by charging consumers.

But a funny thing happened today. A ton of tech sites started reporting on the move, and for the most part, bloggers, readers, and commentors didn't have pleasant things to say. And now Wired reports that Sony has changed its plans and will offer the "Fresh Start" option to TZ2000 customers free of charge.

Now, don't get too excited about this. Customers will still need to upgrade from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows Vista Business to qualify for Fresh Start, which means you'll still have to pay an extra $100 (although you will get some additional Windows Vista features). And the TZ2000 line of computers don't exactly come cheap. The laptop computers start at $1900. We don't expect to see a budget line with a free "Fresh Start" option offered anytime soon.

Tags: crapware, fresh-start, sony

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Commercial

Sony charges $50 to remove crapware from your new PC

by Brad Linder Mar 21st 2008

What's the first think you do when you get a new computer? You spend time trying to figure out how much of the junk preloaded by the manufacturer is worth keeping and how much you can throw away. Every now and again you'll get something useful like an antivirus program or software for managing your display settings. But just as often, you get demos of applications you have no plans to pay for.

Sony is offering some customer a chance to remove all of that promotional software (often referred to as crapware). But here's the dirty little secret - Sony and other computer makers are including that software for a reason. They get kickbacks from software companies. So Sony will charge you an extra $50 to remove the software. You have to select "Fresh Start" while you're configuring your PC to do this.

Currently, the only Sony model with the Fresh Start option is the TZ2000 line of laptops. And in order to qualify, you have to upgrade from Windwos Vista Home Premium to Windows Vista Business, which will tack $100 to your price. So really, Sony is charging users who want a crapware free system as much as $150. Classy.

Of course, you can also just buy your new PC preloaded with applications you don't need and use the free PC Decrapifier to remove all the unnecessary bloat.

Update: Sony has dropped the $50 fee.

[via Engadget]

Tags: bloat, crapware, decrapifier, fresh-start, sony

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