Clean install upon purchase?

[PRMiller]

Hi everyone. Long-time geek, first-time Thinkpad owner, after having used them at previous employers. I just ordered a ThinkPad T530 and expect to receive it within the next week. What are your opinions on formatting and doing a fresh install on a new ThinkPad? I'm so used to receiving laptops with bloatware that I've become accustomed to spending the first few days wiping, reinstalling and updating the OS. Have you found it necessary with your ThinkPad? Of particular concern to me is that a trial version of everyone's favorite anti-virus software, Norton, comes installed. It is notoriously difficult to completely remove, at least in my experience.

Your thoughts and advice?

[TTY]

Hello and welcome to the forum

On my now four year old ThinkPad, i use the preinstalled image. I saw no reason to wipe the hard disk and install Windows from scratch. Norton AntiVirus also was installed, and i uninstalled it. No problem.

[emtee3511]

I like Revo Uninstaller (free) for uninstalling programs -- especially something like Norton, but works well for any uninstall. It comes in handy when Windows complains a program file can't be found so program can't uninstll -- Revo always gets it

[Rockrz]

Found that at
http://download.cnet.com/Revo-Uninstall ... 87648.html

It claims it's free, but their website says it costs $27

Do you know if it's free or not, or do you just uninstall everything to need uninstalled within the 30 day trial period?

[emtee3511]

Revo Uninstaller is free -- Revo Uninstaller PRO costs $$ -- just make sure you download the basic Revo Uninstaller (not the PRO edition.)

Here is the VSRevoGroup websit link: http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uni ... nload.html
where you can see the two editions side by side -- you can download the free version here, and you can also download the free version from CNET download.com. I've used Revo Uninstaller for several years -- no problems, and good at uninstalling any program completely.

EDIT: Also, while CNET is a 'safe' website for downloads, it does push various extra software when you download a program -- make sure you uncheck any toolbars, or other garbageware you are not interested in before completing and installing your chosen download.

[Rockrz]

Great, thanx!

[PRMiller]

Thank you everyone. I will definitely give Revo Uninstaller a shot -- sounds like a lot less work than doing a clean install.

Looking forward to my first "personal" ThinkPad