Upgrading to new computer

strollin wrote:

covetsthesun wrote:
Can someone define "bloatware"... in English? I don't know what is needed and what isn't.

cts

For the most part "bloatware" is a bunch of software that the hardware mfr installs on a PC (I'm sure they collect a fee from the software maker for doing such) that is of marginal use. Many times it is trial stuff that bugs you to upgrade to the "full" version. It can be system utilities (like Anti-Virus stuff), games or everyday applications for doing such things as word processing or spreadsheets. Many times the PC Mfr installs a bunch of their own utilities that are of marginal value.

It is referred to as "bloatware" because most people don't use or want it and all it does is take up disk space. In many cases, it can also consume cpu and memory resources because often the software installs little "helper" stubs that run at Startup to bug you to upgrade or make it so their program launches quicker. All those little helper things take up memory and cpu without much benefit to the user.

Strollin has given you a very good definition of bloatware. I would add that before you dig in to it's a removal I strongly suggest that you create an image of your drive as it is now on a external hard drive. As you remove things do it slowly and not all at once.

As you are successful at removing each item create another image so you always have a path back should something go wrong.

I have never had an issue after removing the manufacturer installed software but you never know.