Thinkpads Forum

I just got a T61p with Vista installed.

Unfortunately, it comes with a lot of Thinkpad software pre-installed. I don't want to get into a polemic about Thinkpad software. The fact is, I never asked for it and don't want it.

My question is, how to get rid of the Thinkpad apps without messing up Vista? There used to be a master app to manage this, but I can't find it on the Lenovo web site.

The goal is, cleanse my laptop of every trace of Lenovo/IBM and make it look, act and feel as if it came straight from Microsoft.

robbibm wrote:snip........The goal is, cleanse my laptop of every trace of Lenovo/IBM and make it look, act and feel as if it came straight from Microsoft.

Lenovo has integrated a new (could be 8-10 months old now) feature in Thinkvantage Rescue and Recovery called "Custom Factory Restore" that lets you choose your choice of programs from the "Lenovo Base Software Selector". To save myself some time from explaining please follow the following thread: Custom factory restore on a new computer. If any interest you can read “Junk” in the Preload article from lenovoblogs.

If nothing appeals you then I think clean install is what you would prefer. But keep in mind one thing, to make everything work properly on your machine you'll have to rely on lenovo supplied drivers/utilities.

ryengineer wrote: Lenovo has integrated a new (could be 8-10 months old now) feature in Thinkvantage Rescue and Recovery called "Custom Factory Restore" that lets you choose your choice of programs from the "Lenovo Base Software Selector". To save myself some time from explaining please follow the following thread: Custom factory restore on a new computer. If any interest you can read “Junk” in the Preload article from lenovoblogs.

Yes ! And it really works fine. When I received my new Thinkpad (T61 and R61), I do this install straight prior to the regular first boot. I only keep the Thinkvantage programs that I need.

Use Add/Remove programs.
Be sure to remove the mouse software from IBM, along with the video from IBM, the sound from IBM and the network drivers from IBM. ... JDH

jdhurst wrote:Use Add/Remove programs.
Be sure to remove the mouse software from IBM, along with the video from IBM, the sound from IBM and the network drivers from IBM. ... JDH

I would strongly suggest NOT to do that and suspect someone left out a NOT?

DAH wrote: I would strongly suggest NOT to do that and suspect someone left out a NOT?

Nope. I read the original post very carefully. I could even add: Be sure to remove IBM power management. The original poster wants rid of every trace of IBM software, which is what I responded to.
... JDH

OK then you forgot the modem driver, I just believe the effect of that is NOT what the original poster wants. To be left with a box that can not connect to the internet which displays only in VGA resolution, and can not produce sound. But then what do I know... Many are willing to pay a premium for the Lenovo name and software, and then strip out the software, to each his own {shrug}

However |Start (menu) | Control Panel | Programs and Features would be where I would start.

DAH wrote:<snip> But then what do I know... Many are willing to pay a premium for the Lenovo name and software, and then strip out the software, to each his own {shrug}

You nailed it I don't find the majority of IBM software to be any problem at all. My TP runs very fast and efficiently. ... JDH

Thank you all for your help.

I read somewhere it is characteristic of geniuses to take everything literally. So let me restate. I do not want to remove every single driver installed by Lenovo. I only want to remove the Lenovo apps that shadow those provided by Vista.

For example, I do not want a Lenovo wireless netowrk connector because Vista provides one. Ditto disk defragger, backup utility, etc.

There used to be an app manager that showed you all the Lenovo utilities installed on your system and let you check and uncheck which ones you wanted. If you could just tell me where to find that app, I know how to do the rest.

Once again, thanks for responding.

robbibm wrote:snip.......There used to be an app manager that showed you all the Lenovo utilities installed on your system and let you check and uncheck which ones you wanted. If you could just tell me where to find that app, I know how to do the rest.........snip

Have you actually read the replies to your post?

1. Perform "Custom Factory Restore" (procedure can be found in the first post through the link) OR just simply follow the following:

a. Turn off your machine.
b. Power it up and carefully observe the display. Look for the logo screen. At any time, while the logo screen is onscreen, press Thinkvantage Blue Button or F11.
c. Once Rescue and Recovery Predesktop area fully initiates, you'll see many option on the top and left side of your screen.
d. Under "Rescue and Restore" press "Restore your system".

At some point you'll be presented with custom restore option.

The rest of the process is self explanatory.

2. Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel.

The 1st option will leave no track of files in the registry.

@robbibm: Your second post is 180 degrees different than your first post.

*Most* of the IBM applications are just fine. Video, Audio, Modem, Network, Wireless NIC, Mouse, Funny-little-pad on the keyboard, Power Management, ThinkPad Configuration, Presentation Director and some other tiny ones all work great as they come from IBM, chew up very little resource and take zero CPU in ordinary operation. Keep those.

I prefer Easy Eject over the Windows tool, Access Connections over the Windows tool, and Perfect Disk 8 over the built-in Defrag. I use and really, really like Symantec Corporate Client Security 3.1 and accordingly uninstalled the Retail Norton product.

Everything else can go (not a whole lot left).

So you see, for many of us (not all of us, by any stretch), a reliable, efficient machine can be had be taking the Preload, uninstalling the few things you don't need, and tuning the rest.
... JDH

Bloatware.

Gotta love it. I've uninstalled Lenovo Access Connections on my old T40 machine (maybe it was my T42), and had no issues. I was more familiar with the Microsoft Windows integrated WLAN functionality.

I'm not sure if this translates well for the other bloatware titles like Power Manager, etc.

MikeManley wrote:Bloatware.

Gotta love it. I've uninstalled Lenovo Access Connections on my old T40 machine (maybe it was my T42), and had no issues. I was more familiar with the Microsoft Windows integrated WLAN functionality.

I'm not sure if this translates well for the other bloatware titles like Power Manager, etc.

Are you sure you know what you're talking about when you say "bloatware" about access connections, just because you were no familiar with it (who is the first time ??). This is not fair with that software doing a LOT more than windows zero config tool. Some IBM sw are bloatware, some are really not : I could not live without anymore access connection, easy eject & presentation director, among others.
Default factory install is fine and you can uninstall a few things of course, or go with the new config tool to restore a cleaner config than factory one, but using a thinkpad without any of some of its best tools is just non-sense to me.

bebzif wrote:

MikeManley wrote:

It's bloatware. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bloat

So a machine that's configured for you (less some bloatware, or whatever modifications) is appropriate for everyone? I've been using these machines since 1995, so I think I have a good handle on the fit and finish of their machines.

Have you actually read the replies to your post?

1. Perform "Custom Factory Restore" ...

Yes, I did read the replies. If I had known about Custom Factory Restore when I first got the computer, I would have tried it, but by the time I wrote, the support people at my company had made some customizations and I did not want to take any chance of wiping them out.

I ended up doing it manually through Add/remove programs which was more time consuming. The Software Update utility is worth keeping because it alerts you to what software is available and lets you choose what you want. However, it I don't think it offers the option of removing software.

You could try going the other way. Remove EVERYTHING then reload only what you need ...( other words clean install Vista ).

A guide is provided here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

It really does work, and it reclaims a lot of hard drive space you would not be able to get back easily otherwise. Make sure to read the whole thing first before starting. There is a procedure to clean install and activate Vista offline all completely legitimate and legal.

Just read that you need your stuff on your computer so disregard the above.