Microsoft will now remove all the crap programs from your PC for only $99.99. Step right Up, for only $100.00 extra dollars you can get a new PC that works and looks just like a new PC. Microsoft is offering this service through their 16 stores around the US, along with a ‘Signature System’ option that allows you to purchase a new computer – direct from the factory without the mounds of muck.
Builders like HP, Dell, and Sony are delivering PCs with large mounds of these crap programs to slow your system. I believe this is an effort to give you the feeling of your old computer. They don’t want to shock you with the feeling of power and speed that comes with a clean system, or who knows, it might be because they make money adding these piles of crap programs. This practice would be similar to buying a new refrigerator and opening it to find hefty portions of mold encrusted stew, brown watery lettuce, and soured milk, and it’s all FREE
Of course everyone has an opinion on this and regardless of who I read, Microsoft is always considered a part of the problem?
Here’s a summary quote from a recent ZDNet article. “So, the OEMs make money from installing crapware onto PCs, and now Microsoft is making money removing it. Makes you realize why more and more people are buying Apple hardware.”
I was talking about this with a good friend who is also the owner of a local computer store. Amy and her husband Dan own Florida PC. They build custom systems, sell the normal retail offerings, and offer a repair service. Here’s what she had to say.
“Many articles have been written lately about Microsoft stores popping up around the US. Even more stories have been written about those stores charging $99 to remove added or unnecessary software from infected pc’s that walk thru the door. I’ve decided to weigh in on this subject, but on the opposite side of the fence from most others.
For the last few years, people have been falling all over themselves to visit Apple stores, where they can purchase overpriced pc equipment running Apple’s OS and check-in on Foursquare to make public the overpriced purchase they are about to make. Then for every little problem, they return to the store for overpriced training and overpriced data transfers and now, yes, believe it or not, overpriced spyware and virus removals 😀 But that’s just between us!
Which leads me to the real topic of this story, Microsoft! Many people have been overheard and even written publicly, complaining about the new MS stores and how it seems like a conflict of interest for them to charge people to remove unwanted software from their violated pc. Shouldn’t they do this for free? My question is, does Apple do it for free? Does Apple do anything for free? If you take your pc to Staples or Best Buy, will they do it for free? I’m going with NO on all counts. If you take your pc to many other stores, they will charge upwards of $100 to remove the same software. Ms did not install their O/s on their own hardware. That installation took place thru a third party OEM manufacturer or vendor, unlike Apple who only allows installations on their own hardware, sold in their own stores, no third party allowed!
So the pc situation is this, you purchased a $400 e-machine special and clicked on the window that popped up while you were ‘youtube-ing’ saying that your antivirus had expired or you pc is infected, and because there is a MS store close by, they should remove it for free. Well, I for one and I may be the only one, don’t think so! I don’t think MS should be treated any differently than Apple. Whether it’s overpriced hardware with a “free” o/s or overpriced sofware on less expensive hardware, if you can’t create your own O/S, just shut up and use what’s available!“
Lean back and take a seat on the time train cause we’re going all the way back to 2007. Back then we purchased 8 brand new PCs and timed how long it took them to boot to a usable desktop. The times were unbelievably horrible and it took 25 minutes to over an hour. I purchased and timed the computers and Rob compiled and presented the data. I’m including the 5 year old video below.
PC Pitstop has fought long and hard to reduce the dreaded bundle that cripples your computer. In the past 5 years a lot has taken place. Shortly after this research was published, factories reduced the number of programs that came bundled on your computer. Next they learned how to hide them, using a Timed-Release capsule of crapware, if you will. All this did was prevent their JUNK from slapping you in the face all at once.
BestBuy, Geek Squad, CompUSA, and others have charged to remove this trash. They’ve all received their ration of bashing for charging to remove crap from the appliances sold in their stores. At one time some of the factories even tried to charge extra for not installing it, but the consumer outrage was just too much.
In Feburary 2012, we published a detailed look at the three main categories of crapware and how to best remove them.
The solution lies with you and me, the consumers. It’s up to me to show the builders that I won’t buy their crap in a box. Unless I refuse to pay them, they will do it because they can. We refused to pay them extra for leaving it off and we should refuse to pay them if they put it on. Just that simple.
JMO! What’s yours?
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