Discussion on:

Five apps for getting rid of aggravating crapware

You could just use Add-Remove Programs or Programs & Features to remove them yourself and not be so lazy.

You can't kill annoying aspects of programs you need by uninstalling them, e.g., quicktime. Then you wouldn't have the program. Quicktime also checks on every run to see if its annoying bits have been removed and tries to restore them.

I noticed in one screenshot the suggestion to remove java's autoupdater. Don't do it. Java runtime is notorious for security issues. Being reminded when an update is available is a good thing.

If you allow your users to log in as local administrators you have a far bigger security risk. If you don't they can't update java anyway, so the reminders are a nuisance and a constant source of support calls.
Better to turn off auto-update and manage updates though group policy, scripts, third party applications or whatever works best for you.

And for home users to do it once every month or so manually...

I have used this software to clean the registry on a couple of computers. Only to realise that it removed valid registry keys. So i don't use this feature anymore.

That's strange. I've never had that problem and I've been using it for years. I've used others in the past that messed up my AutoCAD products but CCleaner has never done that. Plus, it will make a backup of the registry entries it deletes if you tell it to, then you can just put them back if it screws up something.

Ditto. CCLeaner rocks.

I use CCleaner after every Internet session (using an automatic VB script).

Reg Cleaners can break poorly written programs.

I had a problem with MS Project.
It created a huge number of empty keys, which I purged with CCleaner.
The next time I tried to load my project (course assignment) MS Project claimed that the project file was corrupt.
I reinstalled MS Project and "lo and behold" my project file was no longer corrupt.

That's the only problem I've encountered though.
As jfuller05 said, create a backup when the option is offered to you.

Heh that about sums it up, one of the programs that ccleaner caused registry problems with in the past was the MS Office Suite so it defaults to unchecked now. CCleaner is a very handy tool but it can cause problems if you change the default settings. -backup amyraghunath@.

Never had problems with CCleaner BUT stay away from RegUtility 4 with a passion. It screwed things up so badly on our development PC we had to restore from backup to recover!!

after a malware attack, I've found that Ccleaner can fix some pretty annoying problems (lack of sound on one machine). I avoid registry cleaners unless either getting rid of junk on a new PC or a problem creeps up, but Ccleaner is one I've not had an issue with. It even asks you if you want to back up the keys first.

I'd suggest sending a friendly email to Piriform if it is removing something incorrectly.

If you are lucky enough to have an OEM restore disks, format the drive and just load the basic operating system. Saves me lots of time in the long run.

Why does WinPatrol remnind me a lot of Microsoft's Autoruns? I use Autoruns. Simple and potrtable.

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Crapware for getting rid of crapware?

It does a fine job cleaning my computer and has never messed up anything that it can't fix in a couple of minutes

I've had some pesky programs that even the above programs wouldnt uninstall, it would remove it and say to reboot to continue uninstallation. I ended up downloading a handy little utility name Unlocker. Some virus scanner do detect it as a threat but that is because the program puts hooks into processes. Basically if you need to get rid of a program go into the program files folder and delete the folder for the program, it may or may not complain about being in use. If it is "in use" that is where unlocker comes in, it automatically opens and asks what you want to do. i select delete, it will kill the hooks and delete the file(s)/folder(s). at this point you can use ccleaner to clear all the mess left behind.

...by installing the crapware-free operating system of your choice.

I have been using C Cleaner for years a it just works!
Free crapware leads to expensive fixes, Expense crapware lead to more expensive fixes!

One of the best lists I've seen in a while!

On the strength of your article I installed Slimware, only to have it install AVG SecureSearch and override my preference for using Google Search in my own browser-- without asking. This in the middle of a busy day.

Slimware's an American company. I've read somewhere that Americans can sometimes have a little trouble with irony. But anti-crapware that installs its own crapware comes little short of ironic genius in my book.

Nick

Anyone who's savvy enough to get rid of crapware is savvy enough to not require most of these pseudo-crapware products. Any common user trying to use them is going to bung up his/her PC to the point where a reinstall of the OS will be necessary. The only one of the 5 products I've found any use for is Revo Uninstaller - it works to get rid of all traces of some products that just plain refuse to go away.

I have used Iolo's System Mechanic in the past;
I found it found and deleted the most files of all;
Unfortunately, every time I used the "full-on " cleaner, I had to re-install Windows;
Nine times in all !
I don't/won't use it now, can't think why,.....................

You wouldn't have that problem if you either didn't install it to begin with, do trial installs on what I call a risk taking machine, or use OEM OS's and build what you want, not unbuild the junk they send you in the recovery system. Computer repair tech 20 years. I can build one faster than I can unbuild and correct problems and it's easier.

CCleaner, simple yet effective, is by far the best cleaner available and that also for free.

I just wizz into msconfig and untick the unnecessary stuff from the startup menu. (Then if its really annoying I then completely remove it in the registry)
With IE, I just view the toolbars and IE 9 now disables the add-ons when you remove a toolbar.
Sometimes my customers actually like some of the crapware.!

I've used CCLeaner since 2005, never had a problem with it, I also have jetclean as well... I use both of the... jetclean first ..then CCleaner.. my compputers run smoother, more efficently...

I consider Windoze crapware.
I've started using Linux (Kubuntu) years ago and have since been astounded by the amount of problems Windows-users encounter, be it crapware, malware or downright bugs and backdoors.

It still boggles the mind how anyone who uses terms like "Windoze" or Windohs" expects to be taken seriously. And before you "educate" me, I have been using Linux since 99.

It is always strange to see that THE PEOPLE have to pay for all the great schemes imagined by pig corporations like DELL, IBM, HP, and all the other letter-oriented-toward-money-companies. It is a shame and the biggest shame is that the one we elect LET them do that, they even get some bonuses from these Craporates.

I am not personally affected by these things because I've never adhered to the corporate thinking thus I've learned to build my PC. This saves a lot of money, pain, and keeps some money out of the craporates pockets, which are way to full already anyway.

So those nice 3rd party software must also get some "revenue" from the craporates to come up with those software to remove what the craporates put there in the first place. It's their ways! Invest in HotDogs but since it's not good for the stomach also invest in Pepto Bismol, that's the craporates way, get the most out of everything, suck their life out so you can steal all they have, and the world is still turning....for how long?

...A Linux Mint install disk. No crapware in years!

?

All the hype about Linux this, Crapware that, Windoze something else.
I've been running Windows since 1.03, and when I have a problem with some garbage program I don't want on my system, I delete everything about it from the drive, run Update/delete programs, and then edit the registry for a final kill. That, plus ANY DECENT Anti-virus program that is REGULARLY UPDATED, and monitoring where you go on the Web and what you downlaod, will keep you crisp and clean, with NO caffeine (except for what you drink intentionally).
I don't CARE whether you're running Wintel, Mac, Linux in any of it's bazillion flavors, or still living in the DOS or C-P/M world - if you KNOW what you're doing with your hardware and your software, and have at least SOME common sense, then crapware is NOT a problem.
And as a last resort, you can always run a VM - one problem and you kill it and restart CLEAN.
Sheesh; talk about "sound and fury, signifying nothing.'

Merry Christmas, everybody; go salute a Mayan or something.

Unsure about the others but Dell's business side offers very little to no crapware and even gives a non-trial anti-virus. Yes, consumers can purchase from the business side.

As a not too experience enthusiast, I would like your opinion as to which is the best of these that would suit someone like me.
I have been using CCcleaner for years and use it every week.
I would appreciate your expert comments.
thank You
Karl

So you managed to Google "crapware" and "removal", took a few screen shots and called it a publication. No testing involved, no good or bad, no advice.
Looks pretty crap to me.

My choice of tools is Sysinternals Autoruns to stop crapware from running on boot up and CCleaner to safety clear out temp files such as the ones AutoCAD products leave behind.

I am glad you have placed Revo Uninstaller in the list! It is a program I use almost every single time I work on client's PCs. The normal Windows "remove programs" feature is almost useless. Not completely, but almost. R.U. is tremendous at digging out crap that doesn't need to be on a system. That, coupled with a lot of command line removals, helps me to get my clients happy with their systems once again.