Remove Crapware From Your PC
Posted by cotojo on May 8, 2008
As many of us are aware, all desktop and laptop computers come with a lot of pre-installed, time limited junk in an attempt to get the user to purchase the full version. This is also commonly known as ‘bloatware’. This neat little program works not only on new computers but old ones too.
Most systems are now shipped with a desktop littered with links, trialware, adware, and a variety of software that you may find completely useless. Some of the software can be useful, but the bulk of it is unnecessary and can only be referred to as crap, and getting rid of it can also speed up your computer as you will not be using unnecessary resources.
The PC Decrapifier will uninstall the majority of the most common trialware found on most computers. This superb little utility will automatically scan your PC for useless software and startup items, and then lets you choose from a list the ones you want to remove. PC Decrapifier cannot distinguish between trial and paid versions of some software, but anything that you might just need is deselected by default, which you can override so it’s safe even for newbies to use.
Simply download this little zip file, open it up and run the exe. Your antivirus may give you a warning because of the scripting language used, but it it totally safe to ignore this.
Once run you can pick and choose what you want to remove, it will not remove anything anything without prompting you first!
If you still have some junk after running this open Control Panel and select Programs and Features (in Windows Vista) or Add/Remove Programs (Windows XP). Most applications will have an uninstaller entry to remove the program and associated files. Programs like Microsoft Office allow you to remove any components that you don’t need. Also check the folders in Start/All Programs for uninstall utilities that may not appear in the Control Panel list.
Here is a list containing some of the programs it will remove:
AOL Install, AOL UK, AOL US, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI, Corel Photo Album 6, Corel Snapfire Plus SE, Corel WordPerfect, Dell Search Assistant, Dell URL Assistant, Desktop Icons, Digital Content Portal, Earthlink Setup Files, ESPN Motion, Get High Speed Internet!, Google Desktop, HP Rhapsody, Internet Service Offers Launcher, McAfee, Microsoft Office Activation Assistant 2007, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003, MS Plus Digital Media Installer, MS Plus Photo Story 2LE, MusicMatch Jukebox, MusicMatch Music Services, muvee autoProducer 5.0, NetZero Installers, Norton AntiSpam, Norton AntiVirus 2005, Norton Ghost 10.0, Norton Internet Security, Norton Protection Center, Norton Security Center, Norton Symantec Live Update, Office 2003 Trial Assistant, Orange Internet, PC-cillin Internet Security 12, QuickBooks Trial, Quicken 2006, Reset IE Home and Search Pages, Roxio Express Labeler, Roxio MyDVD LE, Roxio RecordNow, Sonic DLA, Sonic RecordNow Audio, Sonic RecordNow Copy, Sonic Update Manager, Startup Menu Items, Tiscali Internet, Travelocity Gadget, Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 14, Unnecessary Startup Items, Vongo, Wanadoo Europe Installer, Wild Tangent Games, Yahoo! Music Jukebox, Yahoo! Toolbar for Internet Explorer.
For Norton Please Note
LiveUpdate is the Symantec application used by installed Symantec products to check for program and other updates such as virus definitions and URL lists. When updates are available, it downloads them to your computer and installs them, keeping your Symantec software up to date. If you use are using or intend to use any Norton Symantec application on your system do NOT remove this application.
If you are having difficulty removing Norton Symantec products with the PC Decrapifier tool then try the Norton Removal Tool by clicking here.
When you first run it click the ‘Check for updates’ button, then click ‘Next’, accept the EULA, click ‘Next’ again the program will ask if you are running the program on a brand new out of the box computer or not. Tick the appropriate button and click ‘Next’. You then have the option to create a Restore Point, which is always a good idea. Once the Restore Point has been created click ‘next’ and it will quickly scan your computer and then you have the option to tick or untick the programs you want to remove. Simply click ‘Next’.
Download the PC Decrapifier here
© Free PC Security 2008
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