Asus Utility and Bloatware Guide

Do you mean ASUS Scene Switch ? ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Commercial Notebooks- ASUS P42F

 

I have read through all of this thread, but not being that computer literate, I am not sure that I understood most of it.

Anyway, I have a new ASUS NX90Jq, and I have two programs that I didn't see mentioned: ExpressGate Cloud and Microsoft Live Essentials. What are they and do I need them?

My computer also came with Zune. Is it worth keeping?

Thanks

 

I seriously can't find it anywhere (I know I found it once) but how do you remove the brightness display hotkey on the display when you lower and raise your brightness along with volume keys. I have a G74

 

There's no option to uninstall ASUS E-driver. Should I just delete the program folder?

 

Exress gate morphed into Cloud, it is a limited linux disribution that allow you to play music, web surf, view photos etc. You can not troubleshoot windows with it (that would be ideal) I left it on mine, but I notice my fans run at high RPM when I use it so I do not recommend keeping it or using it.
Zune Zune - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
If you do not have a windows phone, or a portable media player that is compatible, I would get rid of it also.

 

Express gate is not such handy, plus it has some bugs that effects also Windows. Network connectivity isn't easy and the OSD controls aren't clear.

It's only usable when you run flash + web browser IMHO.

 

Is it ok to uninstall asusvibe 2.0?

 

but it is so fun! AND you can learn Chinese. :wink:

You should be able to uninstall AsusVibe, and if you miss it, reinstall it with no problems.

 

My K53TA came with most of the ASUS stuff in the thread, I deleted a few the dvd player stuff, Trend Micro Internet Security 2009, fancy start.

It also came with a free trial of MS Office I have my own copy and use open office a good bit so I deleted it.

The machine was really clean compared to some HP laptops I have bought in the past.

 

Dude I found this obscure review, the utility looks good to me,but I am sure it is safe to remove it

ASUS G74SX-A1 Gaming Notebook Review - Page 4
Someone in another forum is look for the software, it is harder to find than a unicorn.

 

Is Roxio Cineplayer worth keeping? I usually use VLC Media Player for all my video-playing needs, so I'm planning to uninstall it.

The list in the first post of this thread needs an update =P

 

Uninstall it because you use VLC.

 

Uninstalling Roxio (i didn't but i use VLC, too), will also lead you to play DVDs without caring their regions. VLC doesn't care RPC1 firmware. But the DVD-menu quality isn't the one i liked in VLC.

 

Thanks for the replies regarding Cineplayer! I just uninstalled it.

Several other things I'm questioning:

1) Is there any way I can safely install Wireless Console 3? I'm happy using Windows' built-in wireless software instead of having a third-party application manage this. I read a few Web sites about people who uninstalled Wireless
Console 3 and ran into issues with their Internet connection. Thanks.

2) I wanted to make sure that Atheros Client Installation Program is mandatory and should not be uninstalled. Am I correct?

3) What is Asus ARPR? It starts with the computer, and is located in C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\APRP. I cannot figure out what it is and if I can just disable it from starting up.

Thanks for all the help!

 

1) As far as i found, Wireless Console is a complete-thrash as it's a driver-related bridge between Wi-fi card switch (soft switch) and the OS. It also controls LEDs. (wi-fi leds). It's better for you to keep it.

2) I didn't notice any Atheros Client Installation Program (maybe you mean Boingo which can be uninstalled).

3) Didn't notice APRP, too.

 

I noticed I have Asus SonicMaster on my N53JQ. Shall I keep it?

 

That's not my experience. Rather, I've found it to be one of those redundant "extra-layer" utilities that doesn't really do anything Windows own network functions can't do. The wireless LED works fine without it, too.

You haven't found that as an actual program, have you? AFAIK, that's just Asus' name for the sound design "technology" they put into the N-series laptops, and it refers to the overall mix and tuning of the Realtek driver and the ICEpower speakers. It's not a specific piece of hardware or software that can uninstall.

It's the "Advanced RAR Password Recovery" tool. It's optional; I uninstalled it on mine.

 

No, it doesn't, at least on my N-Series. The LED doesn't light up even after standby transitions because Wireless Console starts only on system startup. You can exit it though and the LED stays on..

Wrong again. It is in fact a piece of software you can install - even separately, and uninstall, repair etc. Makes and entry in the Programs and Features too.

 

I have an N-series as well, and I haven't had the Wireless Console installed since about Day 2. The wireless LED indicator has always worked perfectly. So, as you say, the behavior of the Wireless Console that you're describing may be specific to your particular setup on your computer.

Ah...that's actually the Realtek driver (with Asus-applied branding). So yes, good catch....it shouldn't be uninstalled if your audio driver is listed as "SonicMaster." On the other hand, it really is just the Realtek audio driver, so it might well be replaced or renamed with a driver update. If so, you don't need to worry about having anything called "SonicMaster" on the machine, as long as you're using a current audio driver.

 

So, it's highly possible that the wireless LEDs are freed when when Wireless Console is uninstalled because the low-level device driver hook is meant to be removed by this action. That time, you're unable to control your wi-fi via hotkeys without wireless console, and there's no hard switch!.

 

OK, we'll eventually arrive to a clear outcome of this discussion. I have N73SV, and if Wireless Console isn't started you can't:
a) remove the Bluetooth adapter (remove meaning it doesn't show up at all in Device Manager)
b) light up the LED. I did a clean install, of course, and the LED didn't light once until I installed Wireless Console.

No, it's not actually the Realtek driver. It is a separate application created by Synopsys bundled by Asus with the Realtek driver. When you remove the Realtek driver, it stays on the system. It's also not very deeply bundled, as it is in a separate folder which you can copy out, keep, and then install SonicMaster with whichever Realtek codec version that meets your fancy. For example, I installed the latest.

 

My N-series has a hard switch on the right side, so I have no need for a soft-switch control. (Actually, I don't need a control in general, since I don't really turn off the wireless adapter in regular use.) But if I did need to turn it on & off frequently, and didn't have a hard switch, I'd just put a link to my wireless adapter on my desktop or taskbar.

EDIT: I should have further clarified that the wireless control function key (F2) also works, as this is a function of the ATK driver, not the Wireless Console utility. So that's another easy means of turning the adapters on & off without a dedicated hard switch on the side.

I can't really say any more about the wireless LED than I already have. Wireless Console has never been installed on my system (a Win 7 clean install), and the wireless LED works properly. I.e., if I turn the wireless off (with the hard switch, the function key toggle, or by disabling the adapter), the LED goes off. Whenever the wireless is on, the LED is on.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean about the BT adapter. You want to remove it from Device Manager? (If the adapter is there, whether enabled or not, Windows will detect the hardware and list it in Device Manager.) As I recall, Wireless Console has a soft-switch for turning BT on & off...but you can also turn it on & off (if you need to) with its icon in the taskbar.

So I may be misunderstanding the point you're trying to make about the BT adapter as it relates to the Wireless Console utility. I'm simply pointing out that Wireless Console isn't required for using or not using the adapter.

Look, there's no "argument" here. If someone wants to use the Asus Wireless Console utility, nothing's stopping them. But as to the question whether it's required for proper function of the wireless or BT adapters, or the wireless LED, the answer is no. Windows will detect any installed adapters, and with their appropriate drivers installed, provide easy ways to turn them on & off. (I should add this is independent of the adapter. I've used the Atheros adapter and an Intel 6300, and both worked fine...as did the LED...without the Wireless Console.)

 

Nice info and insight BrodyBoy

Then, i wish i had a N-series notebook, as my primary intention is to develop (program) .NET applications, N-series could have handled my purposes,too. I though i could play 3d-intensive games some-times to relax and that's why i sticked with G53. For the wi-fi issue, it doesn't have a hard switch and hotkeys sucks when thought with wireless console. It doesn't do 4 possibilities, only 2 when you think it with Bluetooth. (1-WLan on, bt on, 2-Wlan off bt off, 3-wlan off, bt on, 4-wlan on bt off), but no only enables/disables both at the same time.

However, LED..not a big deal, there are more issues when you think off, though.

 

Hi,

I'm having trouble after uninstalling oberon games like a lot of user :/

I can't use/install Chrome anymore and other Google stuff like the Voice plugin.
I also can't use Bf3, i think it's linked to that problem, but that's not really a problem, i will save 50$.

I read a lot of pages and the only fix I found was to recover the computer, but I can't do that because I bought it 6 months ago and now I installed a lot of stuff and don't want to reinstall it.
Also, I tried to find solutions to my problem and install/uninstall a lot of softwares since 2-3 days. so I can't restore it, my computer don't let me show oberon software install's restore point.

Does anyone found a solution to get out of trouble for that without reinstalling completely the computer?
thx for reading and helping me
(ps : Sorry for my bad english, i'm french).

 

All the Google stuff is freeware, so perhaps you could uninstall all of it and then download and install fresh versions (from Google, not Asus).

 

Yes, of course, but the problem is that I can't run software installers. I succeed in uninstalling chrome, but I can't run the installer. I think it come from the same problem.
Maybe some stuff (some libraries or DLL I don't know) has been deleted and I can't run some programs anymore

 

Check your system logs.. Open Event Viewer

If you can't run installers maybe check for problems related to the windows installer service.

 

I found the problem, and I was really not on the good way, the problem came from a DLL from Spybot 2 ...
Thx a lot for your help, and sorry, I was a little bit out of the current subject

 

I feel myself on the same road like you! Re-Installing the whole OS because of Asus's silly bloat is totally unacceptable. Somebody must say no to Asus not to install this trash to keep OS functioning.

 

Unfortunately, they all do it. Asus is no better or worse than the others. (Although I think Sony lets you buy a clean machine....for a fee, if I'm not mistaken.)

They must know that knowledgeable users hate it, but I think they're playing to the BB shoppers who go "Ooooh, this one has a lot of bullet points!!"

 

I totally agree. My big theory is that Asus engineers are too far away than being aware of how to configure an OS (especially if it's a Windows) properly.

 

If stated as a "recommendation," I'd have to dispute some of those. Especially WinFlash, which is known to be a risky way to perform BIOS updates. But as a "choice," of course, personal preference for certain little utilities warrants their use. But honestly, I don't think any of those, except the ATK package and keyboard filter, are particularly useful.

For some other users, we should probably clarify that you're just talking about optional programs. (Though the ATK package isn't all that optional.) For less technically-experienced owners who might be considering a clean install, it's a given that Windows installation should always be followed by the Intel Chipset driver and MEI, as well as the specific audio, video, WLAN, LAN, USB 3.0 and touchpad drivers for your model. Then you can start thinking about what extra utilities & bloatware you want.

 

MEI???????

 

Intel Management Engine Interface

Probably not a high priority unless you are in an enterprise environment.

Intel Active Management Technology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Just got new ASUS N55S Win7 x64 with some new crap software installed:

1. Asus Vibe 2.0
2. Asus Vibe Fun Center (looks like part of the Asus Vibe software)
3. Asus Music Maker
4. Asus Video Magic
5. Asus Virtual Camera
6. Firebird SQL Server - Magix Edition
7. CyberLink Media Espresso

and of course a lot of different crap which I've seen on the forum including Game Park Console - Oberon Media (I won't uninstall this after reading all of the posts).

Anyone knows is it safe to uninstall those software?
Thanks for help.

 

Yes, you can safely uninstall all of that. It's all completely optional "added-value" freeware.

The only essential piece of Asus software is the ATK package. Everything else is optional, though something like Cineplayer (or whatever BD player they gave you) is "essential" for playing BDs if you don't install your own third-party media player software.

 

Hello friends, I just bought a N55SF, very happy with it. I deleted some bloatware, like the music maker and asus vibe. But i notice there is a program called Music Now! Deleted it too. It only appeared to be repared or uninstalled. What was it for? It's Ok to delete it? Thanks in advance

 

I believe it's associated with Vibe, their online store (though I'm not entirely sure how they work together), but in any event, it's their own little music player. Because you know, we don't already have enough of those.....

It's perfectly okay to get rid of it...it's non-essential freeware.

 

For what it is worth, I've done bloatware removal on my G74SX two ways - one using a clean install and downloading drivers manually, and the other way via the control panel and uninstalling.

Both ways worked just as good in removing the various crap. However, the CP method is far, far, faster and easier as the clean install requires finding the latest drivers for various things, installing them, rebooting, etc. Oh, and you have to do the clean install to begin with.

 

Can you tell how to update Bios & is it worth it
should we always update Bios, will it help in better performance
in gaming ?

Thanks

 

Computer manufacturers (and some users) will tell you not to update the BIOS unless your are experiencing any of the specific problems addressed by the update.....because there is a small risk involved. I think, if you do it properly using the EasyFlash method built into the BIOS setup utility, it's a good idea to keep your computer's BIOS up-to-date.

If you have a G74 (as suggested by the post you responded to), I think it's good idea to update, as some G74s have had keyboard issues that the updates have remedied.

There are instructions for updating the BIOS in this thread. Again, the important thing is to use the EasyFlash method ( NEVER WinFlash!), and to follow all the directions explicitly, including the proper preparation of the USB thumbdrive.

 

When I recently acquired an Asus N53SN, I physically moved my hard drive from my previous laptop (Win 7 Pro retail) to the new one (along with some software manipulation), so obviously I wasn't immediately confronted with all the Asus crapware. However, it all surfaced after I ran the CD that came with the Asus.

I was staggered, and annoyed, by the number of processes that were added by Asus, and I couldn't help but wonder how many of these were actually necessary or beneficial. By the way, the crapware guide at the beginning of this thread lists various ATK components as individual items, whereas what I have is an "ATK Package", the components of which can't be individually accessed for removal. Anyway, to make a long story short, I uninstalled just about everything, including ATK as well the Wireless Console 3.

From what I manage to understand, ATK's function relates primarily to supporting the Fn keys, as well as the multimedia keys. I never use the latter, so they are a non-issue for me. As to the Fn keys, all the ones I use work without ATK. Those that no longer work are the Volume Mute/Up/Down (which I also don't normally use) and the Touchpad lock, which I WOULD find useful had it not been possible for me to disable the Touchpad via the Elan Mouse Properties page (Disable when external USB pointing device plug in). As an aside, I can't help but wonder why Asus needs so many processes to support the Fn keys, whereas my previous, relatively humble LG laptop required none.

I am pleased to have my laptop running properly without the multitude of unfamiliar processes, especially since I don't seem to have lost any functionality that I need. But given some of the comments in the original post, especially those pertaining to various ATK components, the question remains: am I missing out on something of which I may not be aware?

Thanks for any input.

 

ATK is not necessary, but highly recommended. Other utilities, that you may want like the wireless console or power4gear depend on it. You can alternatively disable everything but the ATK driver at startup. That way ATK media won't launch media center when you hit play and you will have all of your hotkeys functional.

 

Yeah, I don't like all the processes, but I guess I do like that they're broken up so we can pick & choose the ones we want.

Do you know of anyone successfully re-assigning the ATK media driver? It doesn't have an .ini or .config file to work with, and I can't find a registry entry that explicitly assigns it to WMP. It would be great to re-task it to the media player of one's choosing.

It IS staggering, isn't it? I don't install any of the Asus software, except the ATK package. One of my laptop has dedicated media keys and they don't work without it. Nor do the function keys. (In at least one of them, not even the NUM-LOCK key works without it.) But as for all that other stuff, I think there's some bad software in there, and it's often implicated in troubled, glitchy installations.

 

I've removed the Wireless Console because I can use my hardware switch to enable/disable the wireless and bluetooth. Not only that, but Fn+F2 still works without ATK, once the hardware switch is ON. True, I don't get the pretty icons, but I can live without them. I've removed Power4Gear because as far as I could see, it just replicates existing Windows features, which I rarely use anyway, since I don't move my laptop around all that much. Please feel free to tell me otherwise.

Given the above, is there still any reason for me to install ATK?

Well, I guess I'm just trying to determine if there are any that I should want.

I've managed to change at least SOME (browser, email) of the hardware button assignment in my previous laptop. Uncharacteristically for me, I've neglected to document my changes in my usual manner. I can't look for anything on the Asus, since I don't (yet?) have ATK installed. Sorry.

Yes it IS staggering, especially since most of the Fn keys work without any of the additional software. As I mentioned, most of my Fn keys work, as does the Num Lock. Also, these keys worked on my LG without any additional software. No idea why this is so.

For what it's worth, here's what I get now if I run the Asus CD. If there's anything here that I haven't installed but should, please let me know. Also, as far as I can see, I should be able to remove Intel Management Engine. That would mean two less processes to chew up resources unnecessarily.

 

Looks good to me. It's a clean machine, so honestly, I think it's possible to get too fixated on minimizing processes. I've seen a few people who actually pick some arbitrary number and won;t stop eliminating functions and services until they reach it. That's silly. Our modern systems can handle all this stuff without breaking a sweat, so why not let them do it? The problem with a lot of the bloatware is often not so much that your computer is bogged down by resource usage, but that it's poorly-written software that can cause conflicts.

Not to throw a wrench in your efforts....but almost invariably, the drivers on Asus Drivers disks are outdated before the computer ever shipped. And Asus has a bad habit of sometimes installing/shipping/posting bad drivers. If you installed those drivers from the disk, many of them probably need to be updated.

 

Personally, i would get Intel IRST as well, it replaces the SATA drivers from windows and personally, i do find them a bit faster. You can get the driver only portion from Intel's website or the whole utility from your CD or Intel's website.

 

Yes, I agree, and I've made a mental note to not let myself fall into this trap of compulsive process elimination. My intention is to get rid of useless stuff.

As to the outdated drivers: I actually installed the latest available. The Asus PC Driver (CD) utility still recognizes their presence.

Thanks for your comments

I've never familiarized myself with RAID, and I'm not using it. I thought I understood that IRST was for RAID only. Am I wrong?

Edit: just did a bit more reading, and found some indications that Intel claims performance improvements even when IRST is used in a single drive environment. I'll throw it on my machine and see what happens.

Thanks for your input.

 

From what ive gathered so far from reading the entire thread is that a smater option would be to manually remove all bloatware, insted of doing a clean install..

but my question is what happens if i do a clean install of my OS to windows 7 ultimate? would it then just be a matter of updating the drivers? or would it actually involve me re-downloading bloatware programs that were actually needed to keep my computer functioning?

could anyone whose done a clean install help me out?
what bloatware programs anddrivers did you have to reisntall, and what problems have you come across since you done the clean install??

thank you

oh and my laptop is the asus n75sf dh71 if that helps

 

Clean install on my G73, reinstalled ATK package, P4G Hybrid and Wireless console from Asus. That is all, even P4G and the wireless console are optional. The rest is the drivers that you can either get from asus or the manufacturer's website.

Read this and adapt to your needs: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...lk-through-doing-clean-windows-7-install.html