Thinkpads Forum

I've noticed a significant improvement in performance with my T60p since I removed some of the unwanted software Lenovo foists on you. This probably applies to other models as well, but I am speaking from personal experience with my new T60p laptop.

Some of the IBM software factory-installed with the computer is genuinely useful, but that does not excuse the rest.

- Bloat-ware: IBM software that does the same thing as Windows, but not as well and with a performance cost.

- Exploit-ware: third-party software where IBM is making a deal with some software manufacturer to foist their product on the purchaser.

Rather than give you the list of programs I have uninstalled, I advise you to take a critical look at your system configuration

Robbi,

The exploit-ware, I have removed most of it if not all. These are easy to identify as they are non IBM.

Regarding the IBM bloat-ware besides Access Connections, which for now I have decided to keep rather than to use Windows, what else have you removed?

I am interested in what all you removed. I have deleted a few programs but I don't have a good idea one what I need and what I dont.

In the exploit-ware category to use Robbi's terminology;) most would agree that you can safely remove

Google
Picasa
Symantec / Norton

Now for IBM ware, I actually kept everything, although for instance you do not need Access Connections, you can do the same in Windows. I'd be curious to see what Robbi removed from this 'bloat-ware' IBM category. There might be a few other IBM programs that duplicate some already built-in Windows programs. I have to admit, I kind of like the IBM ware, I find it useful that I can call all of these by pressing the little ThinkVintage blue button...

JDhurst has a good thread on this topic:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=28660

Symantec is not a good anti-virus program? I do not have anyother's to use if I delete it.

I -would- actually like too see a list of the specific programs you uninstalled

HockeyZ39 wrote:Symantec is not a good anti-virus program? I do not have anyother's to use if I delete it.

Hi HockeyZ39,

you certainly should not operate without virus protection. I personally dislike the Symantec programs because they slow down the computer and I have had a number of problems regarding compatibility. If you want to uninstall it, use the tool prvided on the Symantec webpage. Otherwise certain registry entries stay behjnd and can cause problems later. I actually had those problems in the past so I am not repeating rumors.

I use McAfee's Security Suite. Maybe not the best either and not free, but it works for me. There are some free virus removal programs available. I don't know first hand if those are any good but I know people who use them successfully.

I use avast currently . From my experience it is quite effective and lightweight. Avast is free for personal use. You could also try Avg which is free too.

Rajeev

Torque wrote:I -would- actually like too see a list of the specific programs you uninstalled

I'm sorry, but I cannot give you a list of the specific programs I uninstalled. Someone might misinterpret it and remove a program they actually want or need.

Windows gives you an inventory of installed software via the Add/Remove programs list under Control Panel. An interesting exercise is to browse through the installed software and ask yourself whether you understand what each program does.

If you do not know what the program does and it has the distinctive red icon, IBM is the obvious place to go to get information and then make a judgment if you really want it.

If you see a program that is non-Thinkpad and you did not install it yourself, you might ask yourself why someone did you a favor by putting it on your computer. There is a link to click for support information, which can be enlightening.

I was pleasantly surprised that my T60 didn't include a bunch of crap software. You should see a stock Dell load sometime. That said, there are definitely things that should go. Symantec AV was the first; I much prefer AVG free. Not just because it's free, but because it's not bloated.

In addition to using Add/Remove Programs to remove stuff, you can also use StartupRun to examine what's loaded at system startup. Good way to improve startup time is to remove the stuff you don't care about; a lot of programs work just fine even if not preloaded. You have to be a bit careful, though, the tool will let you disable anything including things you probably shouldn't.