How to zap the crap on a new Windows PC

The first thing to do with any new Windows PC isn't to start using it, but to clean all the junk off it. Here are seven easy steps to a clutter-free PC.

By Dave Methvin

Computerworld |

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Step 4: Boot into Safe Mode to uninstall any remaining programs.

It's not uncommon for programs that are OEM installed to either not have an Add/Remove Programs option or to have one that doesn't work. Your next step is boot into Safe Mode (hold down the F8 key as Windows begins to start) and try to uninstall the program in Add or Remove Programs (for XP) or Programs and Features (for Vista).

Unfortunately, some applications block their own uninstallation from Windows Safe Mode. To get around this problem, try installing a utility called SafeMSI, which lets you uninstall software from Safe Mode. Once it's installed, reboot to Safe Mode and try again.

Tip: Use SafeMSI to clean up Vista software conflicts

When you've installed Windows Vista as an upgrade to your existing Windows XP environment, you might find that many background programs for supporting minor hardware-oriented functions (such as DVD label creation) don't work under Vista or conflict with Vista in some way. It's quite common to see a bunch of error messages inside Windows after it boots on Vista-upgraded machines.

The way to turn off these errors is to eliminate software, but oftentimes it just won't uninstall. And Vista seems less permissive than XP about letting you uninstall things in Safe Mode, which is when SafeMSI can come in very handy.

Step 5: As a last resort for software that remains "stuck," turn to Google.

Despite your best efforts, certain pieces of software may resist being removed through normal channels. In most cases, a Google search on its name will turn up some custom instructions for removing it. There are also various third-party products for removing unwanted software, but cleanup for these tenacious programs is likely to be very app-specific and you'll likely have more luck with specialized instructions you find via Google.

Step 6: When you're done removing software, do a driver check.

While you're doing cleanup, it's also a good idea to check for new drivers. The most recent official drivers for a system are usually available at the vendor's site. Often you'll find that the drivers installed on the system are not the most recent versions available. This is especially true with PCs sold in retail stores, where the computer may have been on the shelf for several weeks or even months.

When the vendor doesn't have a working driver, another source is the Windows Update site. The Automatic Updates feature of Windows does not update drivers, so you must do this manually by going to windowsupdate.microsoft.com.

Step 7: Defragment and clean the disk.

Once all the undesirable software is removed and the drivers updated, you can defragment the drive (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter). Deleting and creating files creates significant disk fragmentation, and a fragmented drive degrades performance. You will also want to run Disk Cleanup (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup) as well, because some setup or uninstall programs leave junk files behind.

Defragmenting the drive on a weekly basis will keep performance from degrading. Vista does this automatically through a scheduled task, but you'll need to do this yourself on XP.

Finally, the system is clean and ready to install the software that you really want. You may be surprised how much better the system behaves once you remove the junk that was put there by the system manufacturer.

Tip: Down the road, don't fall into the renewal trap

If you decide to purchase or subscribe to any of the applications or services preinstalled on your new system, remember that these companies expect you to stay with them when the time comes to renew. When a dialog pops up telling the user that his subscription has expired, most users will simply enter their credit card without doing any competitive shopping. Microsoft, Symantec and McAfee have even started to automatically bill users when their renewals are due.

As a result, companies generally offer the least favorable deals to renewing customers. Better prices are available through retail purchases or through competitive upgrades to different products. Even if you want to stay with Symantec, for example, you may be financially better off uninstalling it and purchasing a local copy from a retail store that includes a rebate.