When you buy a new Windows PC, you expect to enjoy a fresh, smooth running clutter-free hard drive but chances are, your new computer will be preloaded with lots of software junk known as crapware, bloatware, junkware or shovelware. These crapware use the system’s resources and can slow down performance and overall efficiency. Crapware is something a new computer owner should try to remove as soon as possible in order to be able to use their PC to its full potential.
Manufacturers are paid by advertisers to pre-install crapware in their computers. Crapware is not inherently malicious, but they are intrusive as they are potentially unwanted.
Removing crapware can be a difficult thing to do. Usually, the owner would have to spend hours finding and removing pre-installed crapware.
There are a number of ways to get rid of crapware from your computer.
Refresh and Reset
On newer Windows versions like Windows 8, you can get rid of crapware with the built-in Refresh and Reset options. These options essentially restore Windows to its clean state. Unfortunately, system manufacturers now create custom recovery images full of crapware so refreshing your system will simply restore all the same junk. You can create your own custom recovery images. When you get a new PC, first remove the crapware and then create a custom refresh image. When you Refresh or Reset your PC, you’ll restore it to that clean state without any bloatware.
Uninstall the junk
You can also remove crapware by simply uninstalling them. All you have to do is open your Control Panel, view the list of installed programs, and uninstall any programs you don’t want. You should uninstall anything you don’t use to prevent it from coming back the next time you boot your computer.
Reinstall Windows on Your System
If you are a quite tech-savvy, you can perform a clean Windows install on your new PC. You might find it easier to eliminate all crapware in one fell swoop rather than trying to remove all the crapware manually.
To do this, get a fresh Windows disc, (you can put Windows installation media on a USB drive if your new PC doesn’t have a DVD drive) insert the installation media into your computer and reboot. Install Windows normally and you’ll end up with a clean Windows system without all the software junk.
Get Help From Automatic Cleaning Software
There are a number of tools that can help remove crapware automatically. You can opt for some of the best tools and hardcore system cleaning software, you may have to pay for a premium version of freeware or outrightly purchase the software from the start (without a free version available). Programs like Ccleaner do a good job of ridding your PC of crapware entirely. Ccleaner identifies the unnecessary files and data and deletes them from the PC efficiently and securely. Its user interface is pretty simple, straightforward and intuitive. It is also a far faster approach than manually combing through your Control Panel and uninstalling programs one by one.
Some of the key features include:
- The ability to restore your entire system: Ccleaner would restore your computer to its original state, free of crapware.
- Ccleaner will scan and remove unwanted files and data, clean out junk files and fix broken system settings.
- It also offers features, like Cleaner, Registry, Tools, and Options for optimization of Windows systems.
- It protects your online presence by wiping out cookies and browsing history.
- On the program, you can disable and enable Startup programs.
- Ccleaner is suitable for beginners and advanced users and supports multiple languages; There are advanced features for Pro users and it is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, XP 64-bit, Vista 64-bit, Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8, Windows 8 64-bit, Windows 10, and Windows 10 64-bit Operating Systems.
Bottom Line
It is in your best interest to rid your PC of crapware. Your computer would run more efficiently and you would not be riddled with unwanted programs.