New Computer for Christmas?
It’s pretty common for families to take advantage of Black Friday and Year-End sales to purchase a new home computer. Unlike business computers, it’s common for home computers to come pre-loaded with massive amounts of junk software you’ll never use. Sometimes called “bloatware,” these programs occupy your memory and hard drive space, making your new home machine run much more slowly than it should.
These tips may also help restore speed if someone has been busy downloading games, utilities, and other free stuff.
Computer manufacturers often preinstall software to collect information and deliver advertising, all to make extra money after their hardware sale. Sometimes, websites you visit or software you want will lead you to download software that isn’t required to generate additional revenue. Let’s streamline your PC for the new year!
When you click the Windows button on the bottom left, if you see programs you know you don’t want, try right-clicking on them. Newer versions of Windows give you an Uninstall or Delete option for quick cleanup.
Not sure if you need a program? Have a peek at Should I Remove It. This website is continually updated to inform people what software does and if people typically uninstall the program in question.
Thinking you’ll do the old trick of formatting/resetting your computer and restoring the operating system from scratch? Think again. Modern home computers typically infuse their bloatware into their OEM Windows reinstallation image. Save your time and focus on removal unless you want to buy a clean copy of Windows directly from Microsoft.
If you see lots of junk software installed and want to cut to the chase, try Bulk Crap Uninstaller. It’s a little more technical than it sounds, but it lives up to its name.
Check out our blog’s Tips and Tricks section for more DIY technical know-how. Want some tips in a particular area? We love your requests, so feel encouraged to let us know what you want to see next month!
Cheers to a more efficient 2024!
