I remember reading that Sony (I think it was, anyway) started offering a service to clean up the "bloatware" from their standard OS installs on their laptops for $40 a while ago.

Gotta admit, it's a devilish scheme. They get paid for putting the stuff on it to begin with, then they get paid for taking it off.

If a good kick = $1, I'd have no problem paying...

All in all the "Planned Obsolescence" of the PC industry means you pretty much need to replace your PC every couple of years anyway. I've learned my lesson and will never buy from a major OEM again. For me in the future it's www.ibuypower.com or something very similar.

It's nothing new for stores to offer cleaning services like that. As mumble said though, if it's a concern to you, the better choice is to go with an enthusiast or local system builder who won't put the stuff on to start. The small-business machines from the big-name OEMs may come clean as well though, if you simply must go with them.

you know, advertising on something i don't pay for (regular broadcast TV and radio) is understandable. but when i could be paying anywhere from $400 to $1500+ for a new PC, it's ludicrous that it comes with bloatware at all. absolutely rediculous. i really think it should be illegal. i'm there are a few capitalists out there who'll be quick to defend it in some way, but think of it like this. if roadside advertising were directly reducing your engine's fuel efficiency, would you stand for it?

i suppose that's where 'voting with dollars' comes in. bloatware was a big part of the reason i started building my own computers. the other big aspect was my last purchasing experience with dell. it was exceedingly difficult to find any detailed technical information about the computer i bought, such as: processor stepping, motherboard chipset, RAM speed, hard drive model, and PSU manufacturer.  when i did find that information out., i realized just how many corners OEMs like Dell can cut.

after building my first computer, what i did realize is just how much software comes on those systems -- both good and bad. it never occurred to me i'd have to pay for software to play DVDs, for example. that put me in the position of having to decide what to use, and since i'd already made it a point to scrutinize all my hardware purchases, i did the same with software.

it's the kind of effort most people don't have the patience (or time) for. when i told my boyfriend that i built my own system, he asked if i'd build one for him when he got the money. i told him sure, but that i'd want to go through my recommendations with him so he was making an informed purchase.

I build my own machines, so this isnt an issue. 

Even if I did something silly like buy from Dell though, what's to prevent someone from just formatting the drive and reinstalling Windows?  Surely thats within the capabilities of most users.  Then you're only left with the standard Microsoft bloat, which is frankly a much bigger concern.

nothing, of course, except maybe losing some of the useful pre-installed software. but many people seem to think installing Windows is some form of rocket science, not ot mention those who have an ingrained fear of the BIOS screen.

i'm guessing you know there are also guides on the web for removing (at least) some of that stuff. i'm pretty sure if Geek Squad started offering to slim down Windows, Micro$oft would be up in arms.

Though probably for the extra calls to their tech support it would generate I wouldn't trust Greek Squad (or any other place, really) to mess with my Windows install. Hardware is one thing, it either works or it doesn't. Software is another beast.

that's true, but that's also why i create regular restore points. i've also been meaning to buy a cheapy hard drive for nothing but windows and a few basic programs (so if i do muck something up, i don't lose every program installation as well).

on the subject of hacking windows, you can also add functionality to windows that a particular edition isn't supposed to support (such as the RAID5 for XP).

As for Geek Squad and the like... well, I don't trust anybody at my computer unless I'm watching them.

In other cases, it would be OEM and/or MS policies that mean that a new box comes with neither OS-only media nor a contractual obligation to help the owner restore the hardware to an OS-only condition.

OEM EULA only states you can't put it on another pc.  No stopping you from reinstalling OEM.

People are either too lazy or too stupid.