Factory installed software really that bad?

I'm relatively new to all this, but recall seeing multiple poster in multiple threads decrying how pitiful factory installed software is. In the past, the last three systems I had were problem-free (of course with the exception of the extra advertising software installed).

My new system had a horrible software install, and it seems like it's very common. Sounds like many of you out there do an automatic clean install with every new system you get. Is this really as widespread and common a problem as I am getting the impression it is?

Now I have to admit since this new system is a Dell the majority of my research and comments that I have read about horrible software installations were done so while in the "Dell" section. So I was just wondering if all Factory installations from all makers suffer the same fate?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

 

I personally do not like LE or limited editions of software. Nor do I like trialware (90 days free). I also do not appreciate preinstalled Internet service provider software (trial for MSN, AOL, Earthlink).

It is easier to clean install the OS. Any computer that you purchase that is not made by you will have 20% of junk installed.

 

Often times all the extra stuff will have something running in the background. This can all slow down your system, which is bad in my books.

 

Titaniummd & RogueMonk,

Thank you both for responding. I agree the extras are very irritating and need to be removed. I feel like a fool for taking the "recommended" system restore over the reinstallation CD. It's a lesson I'll never forget.

 

I still use Power DVD. I've never activated M$ Works or Money, got rid of AOL and some of the other stuff like Help Desk or whatever they called it. I use the restore disks when I re-install and remove the stuff I don't want. At least then you know the drivers work with ypour machine. Follow that with a good registry cleaner and you should be good to go.

 

All factory instalations of consumer-oriented notebooks have the junkware.

All factory instalations of business-oriented notebooks have virtually no junk.

Are you beginning to see the light?

 

My HP (consumer): lots and lots of adware
My Acer(business): Lots of Acer software, none other.
Alienware(consumer): none.

 

Thanks everyone for your input. The information really helps.

 

most of the bloatware can be removed from add/remove programs. GL

 

not reformatting/reinstalling your OS because you're worried about drivers is not a good reason. drivers are updated all the time.

if you don't reformat, you are left with compressed executables, empty folders, hanging registry entries, etc. etc. uninstalling and registry cleaners won't clean your system as well as you'd like to think.

 

Am I the only one who thinks the opposite? Seems to me that removing junkware is not a good reason for re-formatting. I don't think the time it takes doing the re-install and looking for drivers is worth it IMHO. Plus, I install and remove apps all the time so the savings I might initially get from having a genuinly clean, re-formatted system will quickly vanish.

The only exception might be if I had a Ghost image from a similarly configured system.

 

Where did you get 'worried' from my OP? I merely said that the drivers on the restore disk are going to work. So what if there are newer ones? You guys, who compulsively re-format...