Asus Utility and Bloatware Guide

By definition, the bloatware isn't stuff you need to keep your computer running. It's the extra stuff, utilities (generally redundant to Windows built-in functions) and "added-feature" software that really doesn't add anything but bloat.

When you do a clean install, you'll use a Win Ultimate Installer (or a universal installer) and activate with your existing product key. There are generally about 8-10 essential drivers you'll need to complete the installation, and you'll get the latest versions of these online. Everything else, including all the Asus software (except the ATK driver), is optional. In a squeaky clean install, you wouldn't add any of it, though some owners find one or two of the Asus programs useful.

 

thanks for the help... i already bought a copy of windows 7 ultimate not long ago, so would i need to use a windows universal installer?

my laptop comes with windows 7 home premium, i may sound like a complete noob but would everything work fine if i were to install windows 7 ultimate on it.. becuase i remember reading somewere that you have to reinstall the same operating system your laptop came with, so does this mean i can only reistall home premium on it?

before i do a clean install of my os i no i have to create backup cds,, however i read that theres another method which involves saving my current system image or something like that, could u or anyone reading this help me out and clarify what this entails,,, is it the exact same thing, would i use both?


thank you

 

You only have to use the same Windows edition if you want to use your existing license (product key). It sounds like you plan to install a new retail copy of Windows, which will have a whole new product key of its own. (Just a heads up if you're in this situation again: it's cheaper to use the Windows Anytime Upgrade to convert your existing Windows to Ultimate,)

So you don't need any installer but the disc that came in the Windows box.

You're probably referring to making a backup of the recovery partition. This is the "set of recovery DVDs" you were prompted to make when you first turned the computer on. You make that by running the AI Recovery utility, which is already installed on your system.

This will essentially be a backup copy of your original Asus installation, not your data or any of your customizations. Chances are, you'll never have a need to restore it to your machine, but the DVDs are a way to make sure you retain the option. So you don't HAVE to make that copy, but it's easy to do if you want it.

Since we're venturing outside the thread topic, just send me a PM if you have more questions about this.

 

Thanks for the help, i really appreciate it.
My laptop should be arriving this monday, so i just felt the need to jump into these questions so i dont waste anytime once i start using it..
I will let you know if I experience any problems once i try to install windows 7

cheers

 

Since this is all brand new, do you still have the option to return that retail copy of Win Ultimate? If you do the upgrade within Windows, the cost is $129 (to go from Home Premium to Ultimate), so I imagine it would save you a bunch of money. Since you're paying for a Windows license with your computer, it seems a shame not to apply its value to the upgrade.

(Just to be clear, the upgrade version is exactly the same as the one in the box. Every Windows installation has all the editions built in already....it's the license you have that determines which features are "unlocked" and therefore which edition you see on your computer. With the Anytime Upgrade, you just pay to unlock features of a different edition.)

 

Unfortunately i cannot return it cause i bought it a while back, luckily i bought it cheaper than usual for only $185 so iam not too fussed about the loss. But thanks for the heads up I had no idea about upgrades.

 

Hi, I recently got the U33Jac-A1, I read about the problems that might come after removing Oberon Media Games and Crap. Still, I used Revo to uninstall them. My notebook seemed to be fine, so I passed Auslogics Boostspeed and now there's one persistent Disk Error, the program fixs it and the it appears again. Also, all my software preferences were rebooted.
What can I do to fix this?

 

i got my asus n75 laptop today and decided not to do a clean install of windows 7 (still thinking about it),, however i need help with one thing.

my laptop has two 500gb hardrives totaling 1tb,, however when i went to my computer all i saw was 2 partitions,..

the first partition was C;drive 200gb named OS for my operating system,, and the second was a D:data drive that was 250gb and was empty.

so my question is were the hell is the rest of my hardrive space, and how do i create it so i have 3 paritions?

i would like to leave the C:OS 200GB drive alone and get rid of the D:data drive and create two other drives that are 400gb each

so all together i will have
1. C:drive 200gb (its already there)
2. A second drive 400gb
3. A third drive 400g

any help is appreciated,, oh and brodyboy i tried to PM you but couldnt figure out how sorry

EDIT: solved

 

guys, i just bought asus n55sf 2 days back.. everything seems fine ( didn't try gaming yet ) but i got one concern. i'm still using their win7 home premium that comes with lots of asus software and not gonna format anytime soon. the music now! button on top left is a good one new feature tht i hvnt seen on any other laptops. when i press this button it shows the screen but doesn't play the music now! insted it shows me msg saying repair or reinstall . the thing i have is the repair installer and i click it doesn't complete in middle error comes n stops. in my eSupport folder i got 1.0.5.0 installer 335mb size and the same thing is available in asus support drivers site. what shud i do to be able to run music now! ??? any help pls...

 

If you actually like all the Asus software (or at least don't mind it), you could try doing a factory restore. This way you'll know you're in the out-of-box state when you test to see if it works. (Since it's a two-day old machine, I'm assuming you haven't customized much or added your own software yet. A factory restore will loose all your changes.)

If you don't want to do that, you could just try the latest Music Now release, v.1.0.8.0.

If it doesn't....well, it's Asus software, so don't be surprised.

 

I downloaded 1.0.8.0 now and this ain't a driver rite so can i install directly cliking on it?

Okay now i tried to uninstall the Music now had previously from the control panel it didn't work . then tried from the start menu still didn't work. Even when i clicked the installer of 1.0.8.0 it says repairing instead of normal install. and some error number like 1605 comes and stops it. any help pls??
i want to open the music now with the key from the keyboard.

 

i have a Asus N53-sn1 and have reinstalled windows after 4 months of grief, as per support staff recommendations (f9 on boot, etc). Trying to get rid of as much bloatware as possible. Can I get rid of the intel turboboost monitor?

 

Yes. Intel's Turbo Boost technology is built into the CPU and chipset, and they work automatically. The Turbo Boost Monitor is just a desktop gadget that provides graphical feedback about CPU speed....it has no bearing on the actual TB function.

 

I've uninstalled Syncables, but I still see "reminders" of it, such as the icon being in my system tray and there still being a Syncables exe in the startup when I check the msconfig.

Does anyone have an idea how I go about completely deleting this bloatware from my UX31?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

Thanks for this sticky! I've noticed that I have a few things on my brand new laptop that others haven't mentioned, (unless I missed it).

If anyone can tell me what is safe to remove of these I'd appreciate it.


Asus Splendid Video Enhancement Technology
AsusScr_K3 Series_ENG
Asus LifeFrame3

Thanks in advance!


Asus K53E-BD4T laptop Intel Core I5 with Windows 7 Home Premium

 

Yes, it's safe. All Asus software except the ATK Package is expendable. They are all optional utilities....many of them just replicate existing Windows or driver utilities, and some of them are flaky, glitchy software. The more of these that you clean from your system, the more stable and reliable your system is apt to be.

 

Thank you-I'll go ahead and get rid of that junk. One more question or maybe you can point me in the right direction. What is the easiest way to move my Microsoft office 2010 to my new computer?

 

Let's just get the potential bad news out of the way, right off the bat: If you have an OEM copy of Office, i.e., one that came pre-installed on your old computer, you can't transfer it to a new computer. You will need to buy a new copy & license.

But....if you DO have a retail copy, and you DO have the installation media....you don't actually "move" it. You must reinstall it.

With Office, uninstalling it de-activates it. (Many programs take a "de-activate on this computer" approach, but you won't find that option in Office.) So first, you completely uninstall it from your old computer (via Control Panel). Then use your installation media to install it on your new Asus. You'll enter the product key during installation and it'll activate automatically when you're online.

 

Thanks! Everyone has been really helpful in this forum and hopefully some of my questions that got answered will help others out. You guys rock!

 

So I'm about to remove office from this computer so I can reinstall it on another. What will happen to my documents that were done in word etc. on this laptop that I am removing it from? (I did go ahead and copy them to a portable drive.)

Thanks!


Asus K53E-BD4T laptop Intel Core I5 with Windows 7 Home Premium

 

All you documents will remain of course, you just won't have a program to open them on the laptop. There are however free alternatives like open office that could work great depending on your needs.

 

Nothing happens to them on the old computer. But just copy them from that portable drive over to your Documents folder to use them on the new computer.

 

Just a heads up that this thread among others in Asus has been nominated for: http://forum.notebookreview.com/roundup/641438-nbr-amazing-content-contest.html#post8270995. You should take a look at the poll and vote for the thread that you think deserves the most recognition among the ones listed. Your choice is of course anonymous.

 

Thanks for that...Very useful... But I have a little problem is that I just bought a Asus Laptop and I noticed that there are only three utility installed and where are the others?

 

Consider the list in the first post a general guide. Not all those programs are on every Asus laptop.

 

Ok then but can I download them and will then be good for my laptop Asus X54H Series?

 

Well, go to the Asus download page for the X54H and see what utilities are there and which aren't on the download page. Personally, i only install ATK, wireless console and power4gear.

 

Ok thanks I'll do it... Yes I won't install all of them but those I find more useful for me.

 

Hey to all.. I've been reading this thread for a while now, but can't seem to find the solution for my problem.. well 2 of them, I guess

1st problem is I can't seem to install Control Deck for my laptop, I get a message saying "The installer was interrupted before Application could be installed. You need to restart the installer to try again. Click "Close" to exit." I downloaded it from asus site, and yea, for some reason I can't install it.

2nd problem is LifeFrame which doesn't work for me.. After I install it, I get a message saying LifeFrame works only on Asus laptops, which my laptop is..and I've tried uninstalling it a couple of times, and installing again, nothing seems to work..

Thanks in advance for any help I get.

 

It sounds like you don't have the ATK Package installed, or that it's corrupted. Install or repair that, and try again.

 

I did do that, cuz I've read that could be problem. So I installed it earlier today, cuz apparently I didn't have it, and yea, it's still not working..

 

perocro, try creating a new user account with admin rights and retry the installs with that account.

 

Just a quick note to alert you that voting for the NBR Amazing Content Contest comes to a close on February 17th! Also, we added an additional prize for the thread that comes in 2nd place in the member voting, so get out and vote for this thread! Rally your supporters and storm the voting both while there's still time!

 

I just got my first Asus N53SV-B1.....I appolgize ahead of time for the noob post. I don't know where to begin with getting rid of some of the bloatware, as I do not a physical copy of WIN7. So would I still be able to get rid of some useless programs?

 

Sure. You can uninstall most of those programs in Control Panel.

 

Thanks so I am just unable to do a clean install with a Win OS disc correct.

 

Yes, you can do a clean install, if you want. It gets a little more involved, but it's entirely doable. And it's by far the best way to ensure a clean, mean Asus machine!

Here's the gist:

1. Make a set of recovery DVDs with AI Recovery (optional, but recommended if you want to retain the option of going back to your OEM installation)
2. Download a Windows Home Premium ISO and make an installer
3. Download all the essential drivers for your model
4. Install Windows
5. Install the essential drivers
6. Don't install all the Asus junk
7. Enjoy!

Of course, it's a little more complicated than that, but that really is how you do it. You can re-use the Windows Product Key that you've already paid for (from Asus) so long as you install the same edition of Windows that came with your computer.

 

Thanks again but I meant to say without a OS disc this is all possible? Sorry for the confusion. Not use to all this bloatware I thought HP was bad. Think I might give it a crack tomorrow with the full free day. Going to enjoy my new machine for the meantime .

 

Hello, fine folks of the Asus forum. Remember me?

After browsing through this thread, I've noticed that pretty much all images in the guide are moot and am planning to update that starting this weekend. Also, if there's any other new bloatware that is missing from the list, please let me know.

Thanks!
-David

 

If you re-read my post, one of the first steps is downloading the Windows Installer ISO....that's your OS disc. Asus, like most manufacturers these days, doesn't provide an OS disc with any of its laptops, so you need to get it yourself.

 

I just got my N45sf.
I just want to know that how to disable UI of Wireless console 3.
Previously (with my old NB) I used WC2, and it has option to disable UI.
If I uninstall ATKOSD2, will it be any help?
Thank you.

 

What do you mean by the "UI"? To me, that suggests WC3's control interface, but if you didn't want that, I assume you would have just uninstalled WC3.

If you are just talking about the on-screen display you see when you use the some hotkey functions (including Fn+F2 to switch between wireless modes), that is controlled by the ATKOSD processes. ATKOSD is the simple, 2D display that shows in the upper left corner (when ATKOSD2 isn't running). ATKOSD2 is that somewhat annoying "3D" display that pops up right in the middle of the screen. If it's one of those display functions you want to disable, you can disable the process.

 

Instead of using Fn F2 just click on the WC3 in the systray.

 

UI mean the pop up in 3D for me. As for WC2, there is an option to disable UI.
The icon will not hop up and down. It just display what I need to know.
So I should uninstall ATKOSD2 in order to close annoy "3D" that pop up in the middle of the screen. The main function for ATKOSD2 is for 3D pop up, am I correct? Thank you you guys.

 

Yes if you uninstall atkosd2 you will have a simpler, 2D version of that notification that won't interfere with the rendering of fullscreen 3D apps.

 

Yes....it's just for display, so you can safely disable it. For a more permanent fix, you can keep that process from starting at boot. Then you'll always get the less-intrusive display messages up in the left corner.

 

I am not with my NB during daytime. I just checked my NB last night.
My NB do not have ATKOSD1&2 package, but I got ATKpackage as 1 installer
for it. Furthermore about ATKOSD and ATKOSD2 service, I stopped both service from Task Manager but it still show 3d pop up of WC3. If i disable WC3, the icon will gone and I unable to change WIFI and BT via fn+F2.

I tried to install WC2, but it asked for ATKOSD101, and I do not want to involve with it. I have no idea to fix/change it. If you guys suggest anything, I will do it. I am going to format my NB anyway, thus any method is fine for me.
Thanks

 

I was wondering if there is a similar application to the Lenovo Power Manager for Asus so that 1) battery charging can be stopped at say, 95% of battery capacity and 2) if current charge is above the start charge threshold, the power adapter will not start charging the battery.

Sony seems to have a similar battery threshold if I remember correctly.

Thanks in advance.

 

^^^^ Alan I an not aware of an ASUS app to do this, the only way you could accomplish that would be to pull the battery out at the desired level (not very elegant). On mine is seems to randomly stop charging between 95- 100

 

Thanks Josea for taking the time to confirm this.

To anyone in the know,

I just checked the thread and did not find any tips on removing Live Update 2.5.9. Though I did a clean install, this was the first utility I had installed thinking it would be as good as the Thinkpad Update Manager.

I've tried to uninstall so many times to no avail. I even checked startup but didn't find the application listed. Should I log into safe mode and wipe this utility out. So far it hasn't resulted in my laptop's crashing so I'm not too concerned but it doesn't even follow the update schedule of NEVER or every third month.

Thanks in advance.