WE REVEAL THE NUISANCE PROGRAMS INSTALLED ON YOUR NEW COMPUTER AND TELL YOU HOW
TO DUMP THE JUNK Buy a new computer and you'd think it would be free from the clutter that built up on your old PC. The reality, however, is that most new computers are pre-loaded with a range of software which manufacturers, who are often paid by software companies to package the programs, call trialware. Often the software is a trial version that expires after a few weeks. Alongside a trial of Microsoft Office you might find file management software that mimics functions already performed by Windows. 'Typically,a software provider wants to be on there so they can show what they can deliver,' says technology marketing consultant Terry Forsey. 'It may be limited in terms of functionality or only last a short time.' PERFORMANCE ISSUES This pre-loaded software has a reputation for slowing down performance but what's the reality? To find out, Which? Computing ran a series of new laptops through our performance tests. We tested the laptops three times; once with the pre-loaded software, once withthe software removed and finally with only the raw operating system and essential drivers installed. Some machines did start up faster without trialware. Toshiba's Satellite U500-1EX, for example, took 67 seconds to start out of the box, 60 seconds oncewe'd removed the trialware and 50 seconds when ithad been stripped back to just the Windows operating system and essential drivers. Yet the effects of trialware are unpredictable. Another Toshiba - the Satellite Pro S500-11C - started four seconds slower having had the trialware removed. Similarly, a Packard Bell machine ran quicker with the pre-installed software still in place. Start-up times can vary each time you turn on. The fact that this trialware slowdown is diminishing is good news, but if you activate all the software thatis offered, evidence suggests boot times can be slowed. TRIALWARE TROUBLES Startup and performance problems are however, only two of the issues raised by critics. Consumers are also infuriated at how difficult it can be to delete unwanted software and how easy it is to damage your new computer by accidentally binning essential files. We mirrored this in our tests by removing some essential Visual C++ files from the Dell Inspiron 1764. When we tried to restart the computer after removing these, and the trialware, it took 119 seconds to start - more than double the original start-up time. Once we reinstalled the Visual C++ files the laptop started in just 52 seconds. 'This is one of the things we see a lot,' said Nabil Shabka, CEO of Zuumedia, which runs computer maintenance company Computer Repair UK. 'The average person faces a dilemma because they don't know what is what. Some of it [pre-installed software] is useful and important, but some of it isn't. The companies shipping the machines offer no information about what the software does. 'There might be an unknown application in there that is actually the driver for the mouse pad set up for that particular laptop - if people delete that then they can't move the cursor. What is a bona fide piece of software can look like trialware because it isn't associated with Microsoft Windows,' he added. COMMERCIAL GAINS? There is also the feeling that programs are being foisted on the end user solely to benefit the manufacturers' revenues, possibly leading them to pay more for software than absolutely necessary. Many computer manufacturers install security bundles such as McAfee or Symantec's Norton tooffer protection, but often the software lasts between 30 and 90 days and after that consumers are nagged to pay for continuing the service. 'The companies argue that it makes life simpler for the consumer, but often it actually works out cheaperto go to a shop and buy a brand new version of the software than it is to sign-up for the preloaded software once the trial period has finished,' said technology consultant Steve Nimmons. By supplying a commercial product, the manufacturers also reduce the likelihood that consumers will explore free, or cheaper, alternatives. 'Supplied software is not always the best of breed. Many people will just use the software that is provided. They are not going to go and do a comparison of allthe anti-virus software,' said Simmonds. MONEY FOR NOTHING Equally frustrating is that many programs are simply a rehash of other programs that are already installed. HP machines, for example, routinely come with the company's MediaSmart Suite for managing music, photos and DVDs. This is in addition to Windows Media Player, which performs the same job. 'It's the same with software like picture viewers, that are often bundled with computers,' said Shabka. 'There's already a picture viewer in Windows and these other packages end up fighting to be the default picture viewer.' To avoid criticism some are making installation optional. 'On Advent machines, we regard software for installation as two categories,' said a spokesperson for electronics retailer DSGi. 'The first are programs or updates that could be considered utilities (such as Flash and Silverlight for web sites that require them), popular electronic document readers like Adobe Reader and software to create a backup of your system to DVD. 'The second category would be trial-related software. In the past, we provided trial software on our machines, but have come to realise that customers don't appreciate the machine being filled with software they won't use. 'Since Windows 7, we have provided a menu that allows the customer to choose which additional software is installed onto their computer.' Two years ago, Sony offered a service where buyers could pay extra not to have the bundled software, but it faced enormous flak for charging for nothing. The initiative was dropped and today consumers no longer have the choice to opt out of Sony's pre-installed suite. Acer says it offers a suite of software designed to target as many customers as possible, but accepts some technically savvy customers might find the package frustrating. 'Technical people understand the benefit of a clean machine, but other people will want some of the software we bundle,' said Elif Nurjiz, Acer's channel marketing manager. While the overall trend is towards less intrusive trialware, with more choice about what is installed, there is little chance of it actually going away because provides a revenue stream for vendors. 'It's a balance for them between earning revenue and upsetting customers,' said Con Mallon, product marketing manager for Symantec. Acer Aspire 5738PG-664G32Mn - 9 secs FASTER Toshiba Satellite Pro S500-11C - 4 secs SLOWER Packard-Bell EasyNote LJ71-RB-025UK - 7 secs SLOWER STEP BY STEP - REMOVE UNWANTED TRIALWARE 1. Take control The simplest way to remove unwanted programs is to use Windows. To do this click Windows Vista's Start button, select Control Panel and then Programs and Features. This will bring up a list of all the programs you have installed. 2. Windows uninstall Click on the program that you want to remove and then click Uninstall. In the User Account Control message that pops-up, click Continue and then click Uninstall. You have now removed the program from your computer. 3. Alternative options While in most cases this will do the trick, some programs are harder to uninstall than others. If the Windows option doesn't work, there are alternatives such as the Windows Uninstaller Cleanup utility (www.windowsinstallercleanuputility.com). Technical telepathy: 09969636745 Saints are not always saints; sinners are not always sinners. Voice your thoughts in the blog to discuss the Rights of persons with disability bill at: http://www.accessindia.org.in/harish/blog.htm To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
