PC-Decrapifier - Mint-flavored digital enema

Updated: March 25, 2010

I could not think of a better article title for a program that contains the synonym for feces in its very own name. But the intention is very clear, the same way CCleaner does. Bottom line, here goes a program that is meant to remove useless, unneeded and possibly even parasitic slash semi-harmful programs from one's selection of installed software.

When you buy a new computer, be it desktop or laptop, it usually comes loaded with some sort of an operating system, usually Windows. Preinstalled by a manufacturer or a third-party seller, the operating system is a far cry from its vanilla configuration. Not only is it modified with possibly unrequired changes, it is crippled from the very start by the inclusion of advertisement, promotion, shareware, demo, limited trial, and other dubious software, intended to expose the user to a range of new program, for some of which he may yet shell out some dinarii.

Clueless users fall into this trap all the time, paying more money for the stuff they need, buying sub-optimized systems suffering from a range of security and stability problems. The best thing you can do is buy a machine that has no operating system on it. But most people do not know this can be done, either the purchase or the installation. For them, the computer is a black-box, a one-product that has it all, software and hardware.

It does not have to be that way, but the next best thing is to run a program that can remove 99% of the junk quickly and easily. PC-Decrapifier is that program - a utility that should help less knowledgeable users clean their machines of tens of unneeded programs preinstalled by software vendors. This is the primary goal of the utility, although you can also use it as a sophisticated uninstaller tool. Let's see how it works. Mind, I have no machines with crap installed, but we can still demonstrate the usage of the tool innocently. Let's do it.

Teaser

Using PC-Decrapifier

Download the tool. And run it. The program does not need to be installed. It will just run and do its job. The first thing it will do is look for an updated database of programs for removal.

Updates

It will ask you if you're running on a new machine.

New comp

Next, you can create a restore point (if you have System Restore enabled).

Restore

After a short scan, it will report what it's found. In my case, it decided that the Java Runtime Updater is not required. Now, please note that Sun Java is NOT a bad, malicious or limited software. But the Updater function is not critical, per se.

Found

You can decide to skip the removal if you want, or proceed. You'll get a last warning to regret your choice.

Removal

And job done!

Done

After this step, you will have the option of performing additional manual removals of other installed programs, if you want.

Manual removal

Lastly, you can submit usage statistics to the website, to help them improve their product.

Statistics

And that's all basically. After running PC-Decrapifier, your machine should be clean of most of the junk. Of course, use discretion and common sense when running the program. Make sure that selected items are indeed what you want - or rather - do not want.

PC-Decrapifier is best when run on fresh installations, because then you know nothing removed is yours by choice, so there's less chance of false positives.

More reading

To help you get started with sane and clean computing, please considering reading the following selection of my tutorials:

How to install Windows XP

How to install Windows 7

A-Z guide of best Windows programs

Must-have Windows programs mega-collection (older)

Must-have Windows programs mega-collection (newer)

Safe Web guide

Mail security

How to handle Windows messages and prompts

And many others. Hop by the Software & security section for tons more.

Conclusion

Try to avoid vampire deals. It's not easy, but it can be done. Avoid buying brands at big stores, if you can. Try to purchase computers without any operating system installed, extended warranties or any all-included deals that combine software, hardware and cable subscription deals, or any such nonsense. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

What more, be aware that machines preinstalled with Windows by vendors and sellers will usually be loaded with too many programs you do not need, including limited versions and trials that you will need to buy after their grace period ends. Don't be tempted to use these. You can find a wide range of excellent and completely free programs on the Web.

That would be all. Don't be alarmed by the vastitude of data and information in the articles and howtos. Take your time, study them slowly, carefully. Give yourself a chance to absorb the facts and learn the lessons. And for the time being, enjoy PC-Decrapifier.

Cheers.