Five apps for getting rid of aggravating crapware

Introduction

If you buy new PCs from OEMs, you are probably all too familiar with the plague known as "crapware": the useless applications that come installed with Windows. Crapware wastes space, often ties up your RAM and CPU power, and can be a pain to get rid of.  Here are five tools to help you deal with it.
Note: You can read the full post in our Five Apps blog.

The PC Decrapifier

The PC Decrapifier is a zero-install application that easily removes the most common pieces of junk that clutter up a new Windows PC. You can run it from a USB drive, which is especially useful for desktop support technicians. The PC Decrapifier has two low-priced purchase plans, one for commercial use and one for individuals.

SlimComputer

SlimComputer removes crapware and performs basic performance tuning, such as disabling services and reordering startup items. It can also remove less intrusive items, like links to trial offers.

SlimComputer

SlimComputer lets users give feedback on what applications should be included in the scans, and it uses a cloud-based system to get this crowdsourced data when you run a scan.

WinPatrol

WinPatrol isn't as automated as some other tools, but it makes up for that with its control features. It provides extensive lists of the applications on your system and gives you the option to disable or remove them.

WinPatrol

WinPatrol is available as a  feature-limited free edition as well as a paid version. Read TechRepublic's interview with WinPatrol's author.

Revo Uninstaller

Revo Uninstaller is an app in the tradition of the popular uninstallers of the Windows 9X era. It can show the installed applications on your system and remove them -- and it can look at applications that are already gone and get rid of any traces of them that were left behind..

Revo Uninstaller

Revo Uninstaller can monitor what occurs during an installation and use that data to completely uninstall an application. Free and paid versions are available.

CCleaner

After you have uninstalled the crapware, use CCleaner to make sure that no traces of it are left over. CCleaner can also perform the basic tasks of uninstalling software and detecting what runs on startup.

CCleaner

CCleaner comes in a free edition, a "home" edition, and a commercial user edition. You can also get a portable version that runs from a USB drive and doesn't require an installation of its own.