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Microsoft Makes "Signature PCs" Without Bloatware

@ 2009/11/02

One thing we hate about buying a new Windows-based computer is all the "bloatware" that comes with it. PC makers lower the cost of their computers by including trialware software from software makers, most likely security software and productivity software. Most users won't want any of this software because it expires after a short period of time or it is software they simply don't need. Microsoft is selling in its two retail and online stores that do not contain any of this bloatware and making the computer buying experience more streamlined and customizable for the user.

Comment from jmke @ 2009/11/02

Luckily you're not target customer of Microsoft store

Comment from Rutar @ 2009/11/02

It is not ok to preload this stuff, it is only ok to ask at first boot.

Comment from Kougar @ 2009/11/02

It's not bloatware as the average user needs anti-virus, email, flash, PDF, and silverlight support pre-installed.

The only thing they should've left off was that Zune 4.0 Jukebox software...

Comment from jmke @ 2009/11/02

Quote:

Those are bloatware becuase not everyone will use those programs because there are much better free alterantives.

if you want to use other software, you can. they can easily be uninstalled. but when you buy a machine from a Microsoft store, it's perfectly OK for them to have your machine preloaded with USEFUL software. there are ALWAYS alternatives to everything.

Comment from Rutar @ 2009/11/02

Those are bloatware becuase not everyone will use those programs because there are much better free alterantives.

It is ok to ask if they can be installed, it is not ok to just install them

Comment from jmke @ 2009/11/02

Quote:

* Internet Explorer 8 with Bing as default search engine -> a browser is not bloatware

* Microsoft Security Essentials (Read our full review) -> a free and working vscan is not bloatware

* Zune 4.0 Jukebox software -> ok, that makes 1
* Windows Live Essentials (Mail, Photo Gallery, Writer, Messenger, Movie Maker) -> far from boatware
* Bing 3D Mapping Software -> a plugin for IE
* Adobe Flash & Acrobat Reader -> most popular portable document format and not owned by Microsoft but still included? Big win. Not bloatware.
* Microsoft Silverlight -> supplements flash for sites in IE.

that makes 1 out 7 bloatware Rutar!

Comment from Rutar @ 2009/11/02

6 out of 7 things listed that are installed by MS are still bloatware, go MS

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