Question 2023: What bloatware have you stopped using?

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On desktop. All cleaners except Privazer and Wisecleaner. AV/AM/FW, because H_C and MD is good enough when you add OSArmor or Appguard or VS. Also Windows Spying/Telemetry tools, only use a few telemetry firewall blocklists, gave up on OOShutup. And file erases, just Privazer now with 3 pass delete I used to use BCwipe but I don't need it anymore. And last on desktop PDF reader, use to use SumatraPDF but now I just browse PDFs in browser. When I find a good E-book, I reinstall Sumatra but not often.

Mobile I still use Vpn, NextDns and AV. And on iOS I use Vpn + NextDns. + E2EE apps on both devices. I don't really browse on Mobile/Tablet so besides Chrome/Safari I don't use other browsers.
 
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  • Windows System Restore: the worst feature ever, it has never worked for me. I use it from Windows XP, 7, 8.1, 10 and it failed all the times.
  • 3rd party cleaners/uninstallers: it doesn't bring any trouble to me but my computer doesn't get faster so it a waste of time.
  • Antivirus: I don't need them, built-in or 3rd party doesn't matter.
  • Microsoft Edge: I don't think I need to explain about this, but I'll keep an eye on canary version.
 
I use HiBit for some file cleaning-very handy and rapid. Otherwise, I use Windows' built-in command-lines or manual.

I avoid any ASUS software-- Armoury Crate, Tweak, etc. Phew, get that spyware AWAY away away... Edge browser doesn't see this desktop either. I tolerate Windows Defender because in the distant past, I would disable it and the next thing I know, the OS is gently sliding south. But I know from past experience, I don't need it, or any antivirus.

Tried System Restore once long ago and it failed me. So never again. I'll use my USBs with an image or ISO--much more reliable.

:cool::whistle: :coffee:
 
I stopped using registry cleaners years ago, as you never actually need to clean the registry. It is exceptionally rare for cleaning the registry to fix issue you may be having and even rarer for it to increase performance. I only cleaned around ten thousand so called registry errors from my PC and afterwards I noticed no difference in performance. I have Kerish Doctor and AVG TuneUp installed and they both automatically clean the registry in the background. But I see no need to disable this, as neither of these products will delete any needed registry keys, so they won't cause any problems, even if there's not much point cleaning the registry.

I always enable System Restore, as on rare occasions I find it quite useful (when it actually works). I also use a third party antivirus which is lighter than Microsoft Defender.
 
roger_m said:
I stopped using registry cleaners years ago, as you never actually need to clean the registry. It is exceptionally rare for cleaning the registry to fix issue you may be having and even rarer for it to increase performance.
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Highly unlikely indeed, the registry is few files located in C:/Windows/System32/Config
It is always kept in memory so cleaning (and compressing which was also a thing) is unlikely to improve performance. The only benefit is cleaning the registry is autorun items might get unregistered and this may solve an error message on start.

roger_m said:
I always enable System Restore, as on rare occasions I find it quite useful (when it actually works). I also use a third party antivirus which is lighter than Microsoft Defender.
Click to expand...
Same here when using Windows.
 

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