Removing Bloatware? Reinstall Win7?

My HP Pavillion DV6TSE laptop was ordered April 19, scheduled to be here by the 18th of May, but is in the Dest Sort Facility as of 6:30am this morning. Hopefully it'll be on the truck tomorrow to make its journey up to Pennsylvania. First question is how can I remove the crapware/bloatware as cleanly as possible? I've heard of people that uninstall everything one at a time, but that leaves pieces behind that take up space. Other people reinstall a clean version of Windows 7, but will that uninstall every program, what if I'd want to keep some programs. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

 

Use the "Minimized System Image" from the HP recovery menu. It will format the hard drive and perform a clean Win7 install with no bloat.

 

When I got mine, I did a full reformat. I used an extra windows 7 disk (you can find them online) and just reinstalled the operations system. This WILL remove all programs from the computer. All the drivers and important programs can be found in the "swsetup" folder in the c drive. This folder has all the driver and programs you will need. I installed just the ones I needed. Also I made a set of recovery disks before doing anything else just in case anything want wrong. These recovery disks will restore the system to the state you got it in.

This is my suggestion:

1. Make recovery Disks
2. Copy the swsetup folder to flash drive/external HDD
3. Reformat
4. Reinstall drivers and programs
5. Enjoy

I know this sounds like a lot, but I believe that it is the best way to remove all the crapware.

Edit:
^Why is the numbering messed up?

 

this sounds fairly easy. im real excited to get my laptop. i hope it comes tomorrow. thanks for the tip!

@speedking: i thought the same thing. lol

 

I really wish I had known this earlier.

 

Is there anything undesirable with the "Minimized System Image"? That is, what do you gain between the two. I was planning on just doing a fresh clean re-load, but if the image is easier and gets the same results...why not? or not?

Any Thoughts?

 

It's 10x easier to use the Minimized System Image and it includes the necessary HP drivers and apps to control the fan, the webcam, etc. You don't have to chase down all of the individual drivers and components after the fact to the get machine working properly again.

There is no advantage whatsoever to simply installing Win7 manually.

 

I ordered mine on April 23rd and just received it today. Doing the Min image recovery right now, I'll let you know how it works. But just to be on the safe side make the recovery disks first.

My only problem is there's a little spot on the screen almost on the other side of where the HP logo is on the case. Well anytime the laptop is moved or typed on or any sort of vibration I see this spot. It's similar to if you touch the front of the screen.

I made a little video because it's kind of hard to explain it
YouTube - HP Laptop

I would double check and pay attention to that part, better to catch it on day one, than to catch it one day after you warranty expires.

Oh, also the DVD tray seems hard to open. Let me know if you have the same problem.

 

Interesting post! How do you perform the "Minimized System Image"? My DV7 Quad is on order, and I would like to do that once it arrives!

 

I used to have the same effect in Screen (but towards upper left portion) in my previous notebook (Compaq Presario). You should contact HP and get the screen replaced under warranty. Btw, in my dv6, there is no such effect on the screen.

Yes, the DVD tray eject button is a design flaw. I got fed up with failing to eject the tray by pressing the button. So, now, I just open My Computer, right-click DVD RW Drive and click on Eject.

After pressing the power button (while turning on the notebook), press Esc key to bring the pre-boot menu. Press F11 for System Recovery. The System Recovery Menu will appear. There you will get option for Windows System Restore, Minimized System Recovery, Full Factory Reset, etc. Just click on Minimized System Recovery and follow the instructions. Thats it.

 

You can also run the HP recovery software from Windows. That will automatically reboot and bring up the system recovery.

 

Wow, if it is actually this easy, I may pull the trigger and do it tonight. I have been wanting to do this since I got my Envy, but I am such a n00b and pretty intimidated by doing these kinds of things.

Will look more into this tonight. thanks

 

/ DROOL at Envy! What an aptly named laptop series, lol.
I really wanted the new Envy 17, but it was just too far out of my budget. My DV7 Quad was like $989 and the Envy configured similarly was $1299.
Enjoy your system...

How's the battery on it so far?

 

Yes, the Envy was about $250 more than my dv7t Quad, but In return I got a 1TB HDD (2 x 500 @7200), the full HD 1080p screen, slot-load cd player (not a big deal, but nice to have anyway) and of course, the backlit keyboard.

The battery is not nearly as great as it was on the dv7t QE I had last week. That is what I miss the most of my dv7t.

Back on topic to the original post, though...

 

Once the Minimal Image is done just what does the Hard Drive look like? Does it stioo have the tools partition and recovery partition?

 

Just did this Minimize System Image, and I absolutely LOVE it!!!

My laptop is nice and clean, and thankfully I found this thread before I had put everything I wanted to on the computer(although you can backup and restore if you want to).

Thanks so much!!!

 

Yes to both. The recovery partition (D:\) is there and the HP tools and SwSetup folders are still available on C:\.

 

+1 rep, thanks so much!

 

This the list of installed applications after the Minimized System Image recovery. I installed Microsoft Security Essentials manually before taking the screenshot.

 

Yes it's very easy. But I would do one small step before doing it. Just click on the start orb, and type in "Recovery" and select Recovery manager at the top. Then click recovery media creation and make some back up disks, usually 4 DVD and it does take some time to do this.

After that is done go back to the Recovery Manager and select "System recovery" it will require a restart and pop you right into the recovery place where you can select "Minimized System Recovery" and it does the rest, once again this process takes a while so be sure you can plug it in (in fact I think it requires you to)

Only thing I see on there now is the recovery partition, but I don't think I had the tools partition before.

 

Can you choose to partition the hard drive through the windows 7 setup this way? Also, if I do this using my recovery disks, will I be able to use them again if I encountered another problem?

EDIT: Instead of me doing that, as I already did a clean install, would it be possible for me to download or obtain someone's backed up swsetup folder? That is something I didn't do when I did the clean install and I've always felt like something was missing. It was my first time, I didn't know what I was doing

 

If I do this minimal system recovery, how can I obtain the Adobe Photo software that came preinstalled ? I actually want this stuff

 

Click on drive "C" and look for a file with the name of SwSetup. That stands for software setup, your Adobe may be in there, if it is burn the whole SwSetup to DVD-R and it can be later used to install it. The SwSetup folder probably will still be there after the minimal system recovery anyway, but save it just to be on the safe side.

If it's not in there, there probably isn't a way to retain it, in which case some times it's easier just to manually uninstall all the bloat-ware.

 

Thank you. Will have to check the SwSetup folder first. Repped.

 

o.0

So...the recovery disks don't have swsetup on them? that seems fishy to me.

 

The SwSetup still exists after performing the MSI recovery.

 

To be quite honest, IMO, I do not believe there is any substantial "bloatware" on the 6000 series, to remove to begin with. I am using quad edition, to which, I cannot imagine the system image being all that different from a software standpoint from that of the dual-core SE. I mean, I thought the same way. Even purchased a Technet subscription, thinking I would need a "clean" copy and license for Windows 7. I never removed the factory software or recovery image. I just don't think there is anything intrusive or "bloaty" about what HP installed from the factory. I did uninstall a few pieces of software (everything CyberLink) but only because I have preferences to another product. Other than that, I would encourage you to go "both ways" before delving into the excruiating process of installing the fresh copy then installing device drivers (which for this model, there are plenty of). Try the "bloatware" for a few days. You might find you like or prefer it being there.

Case in point: you might have a preference, for example, of having that HP app that keeps track of system information and warranty data for your notebook. Most of the HP apps that run depend upon another (HP app) being there in order to function properly. And if you you do decide that your best option is a fresh install, yet there is a particular app you also want to keep, you may find that saving the swsetup folder will not always allow you to go back and install that app. Not everything that HP installed from the factory, is there in that folder.

 

There is a ton of bloatware preinstalled on the DM1z. It is so bad that many of the review sites were taken aback by the volume of crap.

 

Looking at the list of programs in MSI recovery, there is no mention of the beats audio. Is the beats audio control panel still installed after MSI recovery?

 

It should be in the SwSetup folder, but I can't check until I get home.

 

Just did a quick search on mine and the Beats Control Panel is still there. Alternatively you can go to Control Panel > Hardware and sound and it's there.

It's actually on that list but shows as IDT Audio.

 

Can someone tell me just how much space this minimal intall takes on the drive after the patches and SP1 are installed? I need to figure out what size SSD to buy. Thanks for the help.

 

I went with the 160gig SSD and then purchased HP's 1TB portable usb3.0 external drive. Most of my media and "to keep" files (as well as a Windows backup image) are on the portable. Still have 70gig free on my SSD. 16gig is reserved for the system OS installation (HP's OEM version - not actual retail install).

 

Thanks a lot! How about coolsense?

 

I don't see that option on in the Recovery Manager. How do you get to it?

 

So you are saying that the HP Minimal install took up only 16 gig? That seems small.

 

CoolSense is still installed.

You have to first select to perform a system recovery. The MSI is one of the options in the sub-menu after indicating that you wish to perform a recovery.

I have 42.7 GB of data on C:\. I have a installed a few programs and downloaded some files for my phone. My downloads are just under 1.5 GB. I would guess that the MSI takes up somewhere around 35 - 40 GB.

 

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.

 

I'll have to do this once I get the 1080p dv6. However, can I reinstall from the recovery image after partitioning the hard drive into 2? If I ever need to restore, I want the ability to just restore the OS and leave the rest of the data on the hard drive versus backing up on something else.

 

An additional question here. Haven't got my dv6qte as yet but will do MSI when I get it since it seems to be simple and effective. While doing MSI does it take you through Windows 7 installation (like as though your doing it from a Win 7 DVD)? If it does, I guess you can partition the HDD into 2 drives and install OS on C:\

 

just to clarify, the minimal system recovery does NOT uninstall the drivers for the webcam, video card etc? right?

 

Correct. Everything works as out of the box, but without all the bloatware.

 

Thanks for all the helpful info!

 

Dude, you are awesome. I am so glad i found this thread! My dvsqe is set to ship on june 2, but prob earlier, going to clean install right away!!!!

 

thanks, i ordered my dv7tqe may 15th and i cant wait to have a laptop again, let alone my own pc again..... its so close lol

 

You're all very welcome. I'm glad that I could help.

 

i just did the recovery, and none of my function keys work, like to dim or brighten the screen, turning on and off the wireless.... whats the deal?

 

When you say "bloatware" just what are you referring to? Which programs does this method actually totally delete from the system? Is there a list of what is removed? If not, what are some of the main examples?

 

Yeah... you actually need some of the factory-installed software inorder to utilize the full functionality of the unit. Hopefully, you copied the contents of the 'swsetup' folder somewhere for safe keeping, before performing your wipe.

 

Something is wrong; the function keys should work normally. Mine are fine. Have you finished the 1,000 Win7 updates yet?

All of the trial software, like Norton AV, some Adobe photo crap, and the Office 2010 trial. Just like the name implies, it's a minimized system image - if you don't need it, it's not there.