Can I remove all bloatware by doing factory restore?

Question

Hi,

When I purchase a new laptop and wish to remove all the bloatware put by Dell,

Do I have to re-install my OS or can I do by factory restore?

I do not wish to loose the factory restore partition.

Regards

ND_XPS · Accepted Answer

snoshine -

In my opinion, Removing/uninstalling unwanted softwares won't affect your factory restore capability/option until and unless you temer with your Harddisk partitions or basic software that are required for restoration.

Important part of Factory restore options are

1) Recovery partition (present in your hard disk)

2) Dell Datasafe Local Backup application (Factory installed s/w) - Helps to create dell recovery disk

3) Dell Recovery Disk (in case you are not able to reach the recovery options from your hard disk, you need to use recovery disk to boot to dell recovery/Factory restore options to initiate Factory restore). This disk can be created using Dell datasafe Local backup application

speedstep · Accepted Answer

What is Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0? | Dell Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 is a backup application installed on Dell Inspiron, Studio and XPS computers as of April 22, 2009. Unlike previous versions of Dell's system protection software, Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 is able to restore a Dell computer to the original factory-installed configuration without erasing personal files and data. Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Basic is the default version available on Inspiron, Studio and XPS computers. However, customers can upgrade their configurations to the Pro or RAID1 versions when they place their orders. Additionally, customers with the Basic version can later upgrade to Pro online or via telephone. Refer to the links below for more information on using and upgrading Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0. Refer to the following links for additional information on Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0. Additional Information: Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 What is Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0? Article ID: 353560 Creating Your System Recovery Discs with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Article ID: 353561 Restoring Your Dell Computer to Original Factory Installation with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Article ID: 353562 Creating a Backup Using Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Article ID: 353563 Restoring from a Backup Using DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Article ID: 353564 Upgrading To Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Professional Article ID: 353565 Frequently Asked Questions: Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Article ID: 353566

ejn63 · Answer

All you need to do is uninstall what you don't want.

Philip_Yip · Answer

You can't, you have to uninstall Bing Toolbar, McAfee (use McAfee removal tool also), Roxio, Office 2010 Starter and whatever else you consider to be bloatware.

I have wrote a guide in how to do a clean install below but it will lose your factory settings.

Either path is viable pick the one you like the best however the clean install is more work.

snowshine · Answer

natakuc4,

You're assumption is correct.

I wish not to have factory installed Bing Toolbar,McAfee,Roxio,Office Starter and other.

If I follow either path, will I loose my factory restore option? [Though I may not need that because that will have all of the above mentioned wares]

Regards

speedstep · Answer

Get a 16 Gig or larger USB 2.0 Flash Drive and use the Dell Datasafe Utility to make a full backup of EVERYTHING including windows and the diag partition and the recovery partition.  That way you can try various removals without losing anything.

snowshine · Answer

Yes, that is a great idea. Thank you.

This Dell Datasafe Utility comes with the Laptop or have I got to buy? Sorry for my ignorance.. [I herd about Acronis ]

I do not own a laptop and my desktop was bought in 2007 when I did not find Dell Datasafe utility hence my question.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

Can I remove all bloatware by doing factory restore?

What is Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0? | Dell

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