Dumping Microsoft

[packnrat]

How does one dump the micro soft programs on the hard drive?
Got new laptop a bit back, never have paid the extra moneys for the so called "test" programs. Do not need them, do not want them.
But can use the hard drive space.

Any help from a techi is good.

.

[Scratch705]

what microsoft programs?

usually a uninstaller program (not the one built into programs themselves) are good at removing all traces of whatever you want to delete b/c they will also look for registry/system files that a program can leave behind that a program uninstaller doesn't remove.

One warning though is that if you don't know what registry files/system files to touch... just stick to the uninstaller as they would be the safest way to uninstall.

I personally use the Revo Uninstaller, it is free and works for my uses.

[packnrat]

About all I know of these puters is only not to shoot them.
The programs in question are,
windows liveonecare--always getting in the way
Microsoft works--- need to pay more to use it.
Microsoft office--- pay again.
Vaio help and registration.
Microsoft media player. Maybe keep this one?

not hooked to the web, so no updates needed or wanted.
Keeps changing how the screen looks,
gets in the way of what I want to do, etc.

Would have bought a apple...... But the price...

[ldivinag]

google and search how to CAREFULLY remove those apps from your computer.

MS made it that some apps depend on some core apps.

window media player is one. plus its much safer that ay... REAL PLAYER.

live one care is their security, IIRC.

works is their cheapie OFFICE.

and OFFICE... well there's open office.

the bove 2 should have uninstallers. the one care i think should also have an uninstaller too.

[packnrat]

Will look again
but will it remove them or just remove the "door" to the programs??

[bigmike82]

For Office and works, it'll remove the programs.

For Media Player, it'll probably just remove the part you see and interact with.

And that's a good thing, as removing the underlying functionality could break stuff. Go with WinAmp for your multi-media needs.

[DiscoBayJoe]

"Format C:", it's very effective at maximizing free space!

[freonr22]

ccleaner and maywarebytes are both free. I had microsoft ont the phone from india and after 4 hours thats what they used to clean up. they also have program removal features

[ocabj]

"Format C:", it's very effective at maximizing free space!

Exactly. Everytime you buy a Windows computer, you should really be wiping the hard drive and installing Windows from scratch anyway so you don't have all that garbage that gets prebundled. Windows uninstallers are horrible when it comes to proper clean up. Sure, it deletes the Program directory, but when was the last time you actually had a Windows uninstaller remove all the registry instances and every DLL it installed that no other program had a dependency on?

[Corbin Dallas]

As others have said, a fresh install of the MS product is your best bet.

Remove the programs you want carefully as some are interdependent.


As far as windows media player.... DO NOT convert to "Real Player" unless you want a TON of problems.

My suggestion is to google VLC. It is free, open source and plays just about everything out there including .MKV files.


OR, you could wipe the entire hard drive and install ubuntu (lots of online support and a HUGE forum for any help you may need) or my personal favorite Kubuntu (If this is your FIRST Linux experience, go Ubuntu)

https://www.ubuntu.com

https://www.kubuntu.org

[m4rty]

Exactly. Everytime you buy a Windows computer, you should really be wiping the hard drive and installing Windows from scratch anyway so you don't have all that garbage that gets prebundled.

As long as you have installable media that's not solely on the harddrive you just nuked by formatting it. Been there, seen that tons of times when I worked at a local ISP years ago....

[5hundo]

Get a Mac...

[bigmike82]

"OR, you could wipe the entire hard drive and install ubuntu (lots of online support and a HUGE forum for any help you may need) or my personal favorite Kubuntu (If this is your FIRST Linux experience, go Ubuntu)"
Don't do this if you want your games to work reliably or correctly.

"Get a Mac..."
Only if you want a toy for a computer.

[ocabj]

As long as you have installable media that's not solely on the harddrive you just nuked by formatting it. Been there, seen that tons of times when I worked at a local ISP years ago....

If you bought a new computer and they didn't include the media for any bundled applications, either that software application was illegally installed (unlicensed) or trial software. The manufacturer or OEM is supposed to provide the media to install any software that is bundled with the computer.

[Flogger23m]

For XP:

Start, Run, and type: Msconfig


For Vista:

Windows Icon, Start Search, and type: Msconfig

Disable any program you do not want at start up.

Often times programs install crap on start up without asking you, so after you install a program, always do MSconfig and make sure they put nothing on. If they did, simply uncheck it.