Zardon

DriverHeaven reported on the recent launch of the new Microsoft stores and we had a reporter over recently checking out the goodies on offer. One of the most interesting developments has been the fact that the Windows based PC's sold in their stores are supplied without a variety of the typical 'crapware' loaded onto consumer based PC's. You know the usual drill - you end up with Nortons or McAfee trials as well as annoying popups and reminders for service providers.

Microsoft however are bundling their own software such as Windows Live Essentials and Microsoft Security Essentials and seemingly have a partnership deal with Adobe.

Their first store was opened in Arizona (Scottsdale) and a second store is set to appear shortly in Mission Viejo in California. DriverHeaven initially reported that we felt Microsoft would be offering their own PC's when these stores opened so we were proved partially correct when they made deals with key partners to bring their PC's into the store. Clearly however they are doing more than just offering shelf space to valued brands but are in fact removing much of the garbage preinstalled. They are selling brands such as Dell, Acver, Gateway, HP, Samsung, Toshiba and Sony.

According to Microsoft, Redmond is bundling the following applications on the PCs it is reselling: Microsoft Security Essentials, Adobe Flash Player for IE, Bing 3D Maps, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Zune 4.0, Playready PC Runtime (for WMC), Windows Live Sync, and Windows Live Essentials (which includes Windows Live versions of Messenger, Mail, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Writer, Family Safety, Toolbar, as well as the Office Live Add-In and Silverlight).

This is an interesting concept for Microsoft and it will certainly help their operating systems to perform much faster and give a better indication of how capable Windows 7 really is.

Allan Campbell: Heaven Media

MitchRapp

sounds good for now
part of my job outside of my workplace is setting up computers for people, and 95% of my time is spent deleting all the crap that comes with their computers (because with laptops, formatting and reinstalling a fresh copy of windows might have driver screwups and webcam software missing and tablet software and etc............)


Less crap = less time = less stress

kris23

very nice.....

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OldBuzzard

Good move.

As good as 7 is, I have no doubt that the likes of Dell, HP, etc. can, and probably will, load up their systems with so much crapware that it will seriously impact the performance.

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Judas

yes they have loaded up their systems with the mistakes they made and continued to make in vista.

Toshiba... i really could kick your face in till your dead because of your crazy super modifing ways..

over half of the startup services and things are all Toshiba crap no one needs bringing the system to it's knees in vista... win7 it got worse yet!

QUIT :XING WITH WINDOWS.. the default windows schemes were far more friendly, capatible.. and less confusing overall, and less crashy crashy (actually never seen vista or win7 crash like toshiba and other laptop/prebuilt desktop manufacturers have instagated)

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