Microsoft Wins Deal To Install Crapware On HP Computers

No, it’s not crapware, it’s Microsoft helping to provide the user the experience of running a 80386 with 4 MB of RAM, in case they missed that glorious experience the first time.

I do wish they had a Bugzilla so that I could report the regression that Wolfenstein 3d no longer works.

It revenge for Yahoo not taking the deal with MS.

I’m a Dell guy. If I stop to think of how much time the crew and I have lost removing the nonsense that Dell `helpfully’ installs for us, I’d be VERY agitated. (oops - too late)

Dell actually spurred development of software called PC Decrapifier. They may have changed the name but the idea is the same.

Just think… another reason to love Microsoft! The Helpful OS Vendor!

“Microsoft shares HP’s passion”

For selling barely functional crap at an obscene markup that tends to blow up in the user’s face?

But seriously, when will these companies learn that “push” advertising tends to anger people more than it drives business?

I figure all the out-of-box circusware on a new PC is like the equivalent of a telemarketer interrupting your dinner, times 50.

Dell even went so far as to preload a search error hijacker that takes you to a Dell branded Google page full of advertising when you misspell an URL in Internet Explorer, and then you have to go into REGEDIT and delete a key to get rid of it!

It’s like….what is wrong with this picture?

Of course dell’s Ubuntu systems don’t do that to you, I suppose not only because it’s harder to screw with Linux to that extent and secondly, because the kind of users that use Linux are probably less susceptible to advertising anyway.

Just a hunch.

As previously pointed out, HP & MS aren’t the only ones doing this. DELL has been doing it for years with Google’s tool bar along with all the other crap.

Why the MS bashing in this article?

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Hi Tom,
I think we have more to fear from MS than we do with Google. Just because Microsoft can’t buy Yahoo and is anti-Google does not justify their ability to place ANY toolbar or ANY MS products on a system.

Just my 2 cents.

Tom:
As Ron pointed out in an earlier blog, disagreeing or being agitated about an MS decision is not bashing.

I calls `em as I sees `em.

Some of you may not be aware of this, at least nobody mentioned it in the earlier comments, but there is a program that can remove a lot of this junk from new PC’s. It’s called PC Decrapifier and it’s free for personal use (although the author is accepting $5 donations).

The description on Snapfiles.com, where I downloaded the program, says:

“PC Decrapifier is an uninstall utility that is specifically designed to remove common trial and promotional software, that is often installed on a new PC. This includes items such as trial versions of Norton, Corel, MS Office, Quicken etc., as well as promotional desktop icons, AOL installations, OEM home and search pages, browser toolbars, unnecessary startup items and more. The program does not need to be installed, and can run from a USB drive. You can choose the items to be removed from a list, and also create a restore point to undo any changes.”

I have not had the need to use it yet, but it seems like a very useful app to me. I read about it in a German magazine so you might say it’s internationally acclaimed.

http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/PC_Decrapifier/pcdecrap.html

Hello Roelof,
I have used Decrapifier and it is a great products. I have also written about it as well.

http://www.lockergnome.com/blade/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=471

Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts. It is appreciated.