How to get Vista's original help screen instead of OEM's version?

I've always been kind of surprised that Microsoft allows PC manufacturers to customize the Help and Support screen, sometimes to the point where it looks nothing like the original and it's hard for me to navigate.

Does anyone know if there is an easy way to get back to Vista's original help and support menu?

I'm hoping there's some simple setting somewhere, that I just haven't found yet. In my case it's a Lenovo T60.

 

maybe format and reinstall is your best option. it worked for me

 

I think there should be a help program in add/remove program list. HP has one.If you remove it, it might restore the original Vista one.

 

It won't restore the version of help that comes with the retail version for the simple reason that Microsoft doesn't provide customer support for OEM versions of its products - that's the responsibility of the OEM, and they are not only allowed to add a custom help center, they are required to do so, although the level of branding is, I think, discretionary so long as it's clear that support comes from the OEM, not Microsoft.

Retail versions, on the other hand, are supported by Microsoft itself.

 

Thanks. The problem I have with this concept is that Help & Support is to me a core set of Vista tools routinely used to maintain a Vista system. It is not really a set of last resort troubleshooting tools just before you have to call the OEM for support.

What they really should do in my opinion is leave the Help & Support menu alone basically, except for a tab that opens up OEM specific options, which would take you to OEM specific driver updates, FAQ, contact info, etc..

 

i've never played with V-LITE and only used VISTA until i found NBR and figured out how to use N-LITE to embed the SATA drivers into XP... but i think N-lite has options that allow you to change the "BRANDING" of the OS... so i would expect V-LITE to have the same type of features... of course to change the branding this way, you have to RE-INSTALL the OS using a V-LITE custom install disk...


and if memory serves me,, in XP, MOST of those settings could easily be changed thru come creative registry editing.... but that is not a place for the faint of heart or anyone who is afraid of wiping out thier entire system... know the risks before you go there....

if you do go poking around in the registry atleast make a backup first!!!