Removing bloatware and OEM mods from new machines

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LANGALIST By Fred Langa New Windows PC on the way? Give it the strongest-possible start by removing nonessential software, settings, and modifications
[See the full post at: Removing bloatware and OEM mods from new machines]

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woody

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For those of us who haven’t moved from Win8.1 to Win10 whatever, here’s the rundown on how to do the same on the Windows 8/8.1 platform. BTW, Fred’s sub-article in the Newsletter is excellent for those already on Win10. Win8.1 obviously doesn’t have Fresh Start, but the options below are the same as on Win10. (Sorry for not being confident enough to take & post a Windows screenshot of the “Recovery” options screen under the “Update and recovery” section in the PC Settings app. If any other Win8.1 users are confident & skilled enough, please add to the thread.)

1. Refresh your PC without affecting your files: This works the same as clicking “Get started” on Win10’s “Reset this PC” screen, then choosing “Keep my files”.
2. Remove everything and reinstall Windows: This works the same as clicking “Get started” on Win10’s “Reset this PC” screen, then choosing “Remove everything”.
3. Advanced startup: It’s available on the Win10 screen under “Reset this PC”, & does the same thing (I believe) as Fred’s suggestion to reinstall Windows from scratch using installation media.

Bought a refurbished Windows 10 64-bit, currently updated to 22H2. Have broke the AC adapter cord going to the 8.1 machine, but before that, coaxed it into charging. Need to buy new adapter if wish to continue using it.
Wild Bill Rides Again...

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Hopefully there will be more content on how to move from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 using a retail OEM 8.1 License key. So where to look on the Windows 7 recovery media for the device drivers that may work fine on Windows 8.1. And also helping the user find out if their machine has some 8.1 certified drivers that can be used to get their Windows 7 Laptops/PCs up and running with a retail OEM 8.1 license key and OS install and security updates until 2023. And all without having to install Windows 10 just because Windows 7 has reached EOL.

Some good choices for any 8.1 TIFKAM taming third party software to make 8.1’s IU look and act more like 7’s UI would also be welcome.

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WildBill

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Any of the Start Menu replacements will do the job, e.g Classic Shell.

cheers, Paul

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WildBill

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