Sony Factory Recovery DVD = Clean Install/Bloatware Removal?

I'm trying to remove the dreaded Sony bloatware from my new TT. Is it the case that by purchasing a set of Recovery DVDs from Sony, I will be able to initialize my TT without the bloatware? (Then this might save me the hassle of a semi-clean install, and something going terribly wrong during the process). Sorry I'm new to this...and Sony's Parts and Accessories salesperson could not tell me! Thanks.

 

Most newer systems don't have as much crap as the older ones used to, so be positive that what you're removing isn't needed - most people tend to just assume all things they don't need are crapware, get rid of it, then find out they need it to run their system properly. Notebooks are not like desktops in that you can get away with removing more stuff from a desktop and not be affected as much. Notebooks tend to come with what they need, and a few promo programs, but most things that are installed are either required or aren't that bad. Norton is an exception - anything Symantec is useless and an absolute process hog.

As an example, there are a lot of idiots we see here that think they're smart, get a system, then wipe the drive, install an OEM version of Windows, then can't figure out why their system won't work properly. It's because they failed to realize that their system needed the drivers and programs that came with it, or at least most of it.

My point is, be absolutely positive of what you want to remove prior to removing it or you'll be back here asking why your system doesn't work. Your best option is to go to your system support page on Sony.com and look at the specific certified drivers that are listed and available for your system. Anything that's there shouldn't be screwed with unless you know what you're doing and can identify a problem that's caused by loading a non-certified driver. Contrary to what most people think, the components in your system are not the same as what you'd get if you bought an OEM version direct from the manufacturer, e.g., an NVIDIA GPU. Each manufacturer has their own part # assigned and drivers that are customized and designed to work within the overall design of your system. If they weren't, all components and parts would be interchangeable - but of course they're not.

 

Actually Sony's come with a ridiculous amount of crapware that definitely slows down the machine...I'd say roughly 30% from a clean install.

 

Very little of the bloatware actually slows down the machine at all. Most of the bloat is just trialware. The only thing that might affect performance is the antivirus trial stuff. But even that is not going to have anywhere near a 30% hit. Now that is not to say that you should just leave it there. I am a big proponent of a clean install. Look at my signature line for proof of that, but let's not start wild speculation like this 30% performance improvment. It's just not the case.

Gary