Sony Vaio Z138 GG Bloatware removal?

Hi guys, I've just acquired a Vaio Z138 GG as a laptop I could use on the road and in the office. My work requires me to run resource intensive CAD and FEA softwares from Catia, Ansys, Nastran/ Patran, etc. Because of that I'd like to keep the laptop clean and stripped from unnescessary software.

I've noticed that the laptop running without any other programs (other than internet explorer) is alreadu running 113 processes, at about 20% Cpu usage and 26%physical memory.

I find this to be extremely high, and concerning when I need to dedicate my machine for analysis work.

Now before I go on installing all the software I need for work, I'd like a clean slate to work off. How do I remove unnecessary processes from the laptop, to maximize it's utility. How di I distinguish the bloatware from an essential item (like tumbprint, motion eye camera, etc) so that I don't remove any of the functions from this laptop. Is there a software that could automatically do this, and be removed after the clean up process?

Thanks for replying. Below is some additional info, let me know if any other info is needed.

Processor: Intel Core i7 M640, 2.80GHz
RAM: 8GB
Harddrive: 256GB SSD
OS: Windows 7, 64bit

 

Ok, I downloaded a program called "Decrapifier" and ran it through and delete it after. It cleaned up quite a bit of the bloatware, including Windows Live, and other programs like the video editor etc. Currently my task manager boots up with about 80 processes, however it has jumped up to 99 processes after turning on internet explorer.

I wonder what else can be done to remedy this as I'd like to only keep the essentials on the laptop. All my files and documents are stored externally where I can share with my colleagues more readily. Please advice on how I can remove unwanted processes efficiently. Thanks

 

You would be much, MUCH better off clean-installing. Though that comes down to whether you're willing to download the 2.8GB~ Windows 7 setup, the keyless trial for which you need the key on the underside of your machine to run - if memory serves correct you can find that in the Dell forums here?

From the list of things you're planning on running with the Z (saw the Ansys suite there...), that will demand a crap load worth of resources from your CPU...

You can search for one of many clean-install guides here and download and use the drivers found within that thread. And by clean installing, you're probably looking at about 60 processes with ALL the required drivers installed, and with an anti-virus running in the back (such as MSE).

 

I don't think you really need to clean install the Z (IMO) As there are few "crapware" programs. Just stop all programs that are not important to you from starting at startup using MSCONFIG and uninstall programs that you don't need from control panel.

See if it works, it not then go for a clean install.

 

Thanks for the replies guy, yeah I'm reluctant about a clean install as I am not very confident with trying to figure out which drivers are essential and all that. Although I did delete a lot of the pre installed software like Windows Live, Silverlight, Vaio movie makers and a bunch others, I did keep things like Vaio Gate as I find it very convenient. I just see the trimming down approach safer than the building up.

I did remember reading that Windows 7 can actually run fairly well with only 30 processes running. I have no idea how to get it that low, and am wondering if it's even nescessary. Some of the processes are not running all the time, and some are incredibly small, so as long as they dont exceed their space requirement, it shouldn't matter.

But I do agree that the less clutter there is, the better it is for running the analysis software. So if there is any other Vaio Z's out there who has some tips on slimming down, please do share.

Anyway, I did run another software called CCleaner that helped tidy it up a bit but nothing noticable after I've manually cleaned up.

I followed the advice from these two sites to help with the cleaning process:


Tuning Windows: Less Bull, More Speed

Turn Off Unnecessary Windows Services Mark Sanborn . net

Let me know if you guys have tried other ways of optimizing. Merci

 

Yup do the above and you should be good

 

Thanks, now this may or may not be a related problem. I just realize that my "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" is not working. I am now shutting down to remove my external harddrives.

When I click the icon on the bottom right, nothing pops up or occurs. I remember in the old windows you can also eject by right clicking the drive in My Computer, but I dont see that option nor am I familiar with Windows 7 to know where this might have moved to.

This may be related to deleting something from Services and MSConfig, but I dont recall any USB related process. I did disable bluetooth as I have no such devices.

Any advice on what I could do to remedy this? Thanks

 

Have you tried restoring your PC to an earlier date when "Safely Remove Hardware" option worked fine ?

 

But that would probably delete the programs I have just installed on my laptop. I'll keep that in mind though. Now I'm going line by line to figure out which one was the culprit. If anyone knows the answer, feel free to shout it out.

 

I would advice NOT to clean install. Certain process and apps are necesary. Just go into control panel and remove the stuff you dont need.

Also msconfig, and remove some apps from startup.

 

Thanks. Just out of curiosity, how many processes do most people have running in the background with their Viao Zs?

 

120 for me..

 

Wow, that is fairly high isn't it? But I'm sure the Z could still run fast. I've talked to several of my colleagues, many are running between 25-40 at most. After installing various softwares, I've taken care to disable the start up. But even then I'm still running around 75-80 from start up and internet.

There has to be a way to lower the startup processes to a regular amount without resulting to clean installation or a crippled vaio. XP's in comparison can run with 20-30 processes (from computers at the office).

I'm still trying to solve the usb "safely remove hardware" issue from my attempt to minimize processes.

 

I don't think it necessary to clean install. My 135GG is quite fast with factory installed OS and HDD, and I just have uninstalled several software I don't need. I think if it doesn't affect the overall performance, no need to focus on the bootup process number. There is big difference before and after clean install on my previous HP touchsmart tm2-cto, but IMO, the apps pre-installed on my Z are not crapware at all. Sony has done a pretty good job IMO

 

Yeah, I just got my vaio replaced due to an lcd defect. Out of the box and already 105 processes. I should've been happy with the 75 i got it down to

 

It's bluetooth! I have the same problem on my F12.

 

Thanks, that's good to know