If you have a new Windows 10 computer, chances are, it comes with a lot of programs that you may never use or need. These software surplus is commonly called bloatware. Computer makers usually install them on top of the operating system so they can also be called pre-installed apps in comparison to programs you install later. In most cases, these pre-installed apps can take excessive storage space and sometimes, computing resources, that they’re rightfully called bloated software (bloatware).
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Where do bloatware come from?
Years ago, computer manufacturers used to receive physical copies or software installers in the form of CDs and DVDs from application developers. Everytime someone buys a PC, these software can be installed if he/she likes it.
As computers evolve over the years, more and more PCs stop sporting CD/DVD readers in them. This means that app developers had to convince PC makers to install their products as an additional program when they ship. As marketing deals develop between hardware makers and software developers, the number of pre-installed applications in every new PC exploded. For both of them, such a setup is beneficial. For software developers, they will now have increasing numbers of users of their product, while for hardware makers, they can easily make money off the products of software developers even before their machine is sold off. The thing is that such a setup is not a convenient one for the computer owner.
Having a lot of unnecessary programs means smaller remaining available storage space, slower boot up times, and general slow performance issue from the get go. Most of these surplus software can take precious hard drive space in the long run. Bloatware also tends to turn themselves on during boot up so the initial loading of a computer’s operating system can take longer than usual. On top of that, some bloatware can run in the background using up memory and CPU resources, all while not really giving a user any benefits. Relatively low-end systems can suffer greatly from bloatware the most.
The most frustrating thing about bloatware though is the fact that they can be downloaded for free. They’re not necessary in the first place but computer makers tend to make new owners believe they are.
What is trialware?
Bloatware is an umbrella term for unnecessary programs that come pre-installed in a new computer. They can vary a lot but there’s one type of bloatware that’s currently trending in new computers — trialware. As the name suggests, these are software that are installed in a new machine but with one important caveat — they have an expiration date. Trialware are usually full versions of a software that’s given a temporary license key that can last for a few days or months. After the trial period ends, the software will either be disabled or continue to function in a limited capacity. If a user will not purchase a new license key, the program will remains it its current state.
For some users, trialware can be good as it gives them a time to evaluate a program’s uses. This allows them to determine if they really need it in this computing lifestyle or not. On the downside though, trialware is basically a bloatware, especially after the trial period has expired. It can take storage space in a hard drive and can potentially lead to performance issues. This is especially true for security packages like antivirus programs installed as trialware. Some expired antivirus programs can continue to run in the background doing limited basic tasks. If left unattended, they can degrade performance and can even display annoying reminders to get the full the version.
To minimize disappointments and annoyances from trialware, we suggest that you look for the full specifications of the installed program at first. If you determine that it’s a trialware, it’s then up to you whether or not to continue using it until it expires, or to uninstall it right away.
How to remove bloatware in your Windows 10 PC
In windows 10, there are three ways to remove unwanted programs. Below are the steps on how to do each of them.
Method 1: Uninstall bloatware via Control Panel
This is an old school way of removing programs. If it’s your first time to use Windows 10 coming from older Windows version, you should uninstall programs this way to avoid confusion. Navigating to your WIndows 10 Control Panel is basically the same as with older Windows so there’s hardly anything new in it.
For the benefit of those who are new to computing, here are the steps that must be done:
- Right-click the Start button.
- Click on Control Panel.
- Under Programs section, click on Uninstall a program. If View by option is saying Large icons or Small icons, look for Programs and Features and click it.
- Now that you’re in Uninstall or change a program screen, find the application you want to remove and click it. By default, the list is arranged alphabetically but if you want, you can also sort it by install date. To do that, just click on the Installed On tab.
- Then, click on Uninstall option above.
- Confirm the action by clicking on the Uninstall button that appears.
- Some programs can take just a moment to remove while others may take longer. Be sure to revisit the Control Panel a few minutes later to confirm if the program has been removed successfully.
Method 2: Uninstall bloatware via Start Menu
Removing a program though the Start Menu is fast and easy. Here’s how:
- Click on the Start button.
- Find the program you want to remove. If you can’t easily find it, click on All programs.
- Once you find the right program to uninstall, hover your mouse over it and right-click it.
- Click on the Uninstall.
- Follow the rest of the procedures as if you’re removing an app via Control Panel.
Method 3: Uninstall bloatware via Settings Menu
Just like Method 2, uninstalling a program via Settings menu is as easy as a few clicks. Here’s how:
- Click on the Start button.
- Click on Settings.
- Click on System.
- Click on Apps & features.
- Wait for the computer to load the list of apps on the screen.
- Find the program you want to remove.
- Left-click the program and two buttons will appear: Modify and Uninstall.
- Click on Uninstall to remove the program.
- Follow the rest of the procedures as if you’re removing an app via Control Panel.
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