How to get rid of intrusive crap that came preloaded on my Gateway laptop?

Question

When something keeps intruding upon my computer without my request or my permission, I consider that a virus. Unfortunately Gateway, like many other computer makers, has loaded their laptops down with crap that most people don't want and won't use (AOL, NetZero, Game demo's, etc.).

Bad enough it takes up hard-disk space and other system resources, but it is not easily removable. I have deleted the links to AOL and NetZero, but they come back every time I log on.

I have used (Vista equivalent of Add/Delete Programs) to remove every trace of AOL and NetZero that it would let me remove. I still find many AOL and NZ related files on my hard drive, and many references to both programs in my registry.

I could just delete the files, but I want to remove the programs correctly. And I don't want to just delete references to them in the registry without knowing exactly what I'm doing.

Any ideas appreciated!

I have received an answer from an actual human support rep at Gateway which told me which files to delete to at least get rid of the files, and free up some disk space. They did not address the fact that there are many, many references to these programs in the Vista registry, which are not addressed by their email.

I will be happy to share this email with anyone who wants it. Click my picture, and select the link to send me an email.

Thanks to all for answering.

Answer 1

Don not only do I agree, it should be against the law.
It seems that many of these so called computer manufactures that are so well known for some of there tactics, Have made agreements with Microsoft to publish, copy and redistribute there Operating Systems with there little added junk that historiclly not only slows your computer up, it uses up mare ram, and hard drive as well as all the other little extra's that know one knows anything about.
I am sorry to say the only true work around is to go out and buy a Fresh Clean Full Retail Version of the software you desire. Place the disk in and do a Format and reinstall the software from scratch. This will completley erase everything and re-install the software without all of the junk.
Don

Answer 2

REMOVE PROGRAMS:

XP:
start
all programs:
look for the uninstall file for the program to be removed
click and uninstall

start
my computer
local disk drive [c]
windows
programs
right click program
select delete

start
my documents
downloads
right click program download
select delete

start
control panel
add/remove programs
click change/remove

desktop
right click desktop shortcut
select delete

start
run
if you don't have run on your start page
press windows flag key and letter R

enter regedit in search bar
press enter

hkey_local_machine\software\mi...
right click and select delete

hkey_users\software\microsoft\...
right click and select delete

hkey_current_users\software\mi...
right click and select delete

now some programs will appear after \software and NOT \microsoft\program

VISTA:

start
control panel
default programs
program and features
click uninstall

start
all programs
program
click the uninstall file if present

start
computer
OS [c]
windows
programs
right click program
select delete

start
username
downloads
right click program download
select delete

start
run
if you don't have run on your start page
press windows flag key and letter R

enter regedit in search bar
press enter

[ THIS IS...NOT...FOR THE CHICKEN HEARTED !
AND....YOU ...COULD..DESTROY YOUR PC !! ]

hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft
right click program and select delete

hkey_users\software\microsoft\program name
right click and select delete

hkey_current_users\software\microsoft\program name
right click and select delete

now some programs will appear after \software and NOT \microsoft\program


Task Manager:

XP:
ctrl + delete + alt
click on processes
click image name
click process/program to be removed
click end process

Vista:
ctrl + shift + esc
click on processes
click image name
click process/program to be removed
click end process

Answer 3

Many new computers coming with factory installed Vista cannot be converted to XP Pro. The drivers necessary for the installed components are not available. Some companies...NOT GATEWAY...might have a downgrade policy where they will let you downgrade from Vista to XP Pro. Check on that with Compaq. Otherwise, Don't even try it if you don't want mucho headaches. Sarge

Answer 4

to be honest you are not the only one who is frustrated with the junkware and trial versions on the new computers and laptops. however I could tell you the only way is to uninstall them all at once as soon as you turn your new pc or computer or laptop on. I presume you know how to do that but if you dont, you can get there form the start>control Panel>change or remove the softwares.

p.s. the reason the companies are adding these junk to the new pc's is that they get paid for each copy of these trials.

Answer 5

CCleaner is a free program that can remove temporary files and unused registry references. It can be downloaded at http://www.ccleaner.com/.

By the way, I know exactly what you are experiencing because when I bought my Dell laptop it came loaded with lots of crap. I removed all the programs, but it didn't help much. I reformatted it and I was surprised how fast it ran afterwards! So if you don't have any files on your computer yet and you are comfortable with reformatting it, I recommend you reformat your computer.

Answer 6

what you want is the de-crapifier. http://pcdecrapifier.com/

The problem is you've already started removal on your own. the d-crapifier works best as the 1st step in removing this garbage from a new pc. But if you do a System Restore to prior to your removals, then run the de-crapifier, you should be good!

Answer 7

Reformat. Assuming that Gateway gave you a complete Windows OS install disk.