How to know its result of a pre-installed software or a bundled application from Microsoft? (e.g Cortana or Microsoft speech software)
If you suspect that the Nuance-related registry keys are a result of pre-installed software or a bundled application from Microsoft, there are a few steps you can take to investigate further:
1. Research Microsoft's official documentation and support resources to see if they mention any Nuance-related software or components being bundled with Windows or other Microsoft products. This could include checking the Microsoft website, forums, or knowledge base articles.
2. Look for any Microsoft applications or features on your system that are known to utilize speech recognition or natural language processing technologies. For example, Cortana, the virtual assistant in Windows, uses speech recognition capabilities. Check if there are any settings or options related to Nuance within these Microsoft applications.
3. Contact Microsoft support directly and inquire about the presence of Nuance-related registry keys on your system. They may be able to provide more information about any bundled software or components that could be responsible for these keys.
It's worth noting that Nuance is a separate company from Microsoft, so it's possible that the registry keys are not directly related to Microsoft software. However, it's always a good idea to investigate further to ensure the security and integrity of your system.
If you have checked the "Programs and Features" or "Apps & Features" section and did not find any Nuance-related applications listed, it is less likely that the registry keys are directly related to a pre-installed software or a bundled application from Microsoft.
In this case, it is possible that the registry keys were created by a third-party software or a previous installation that you may have forgotten about. It could also be a remnant from a previous installation that was not properly removed.
To further investigate the origin of these registry keys, you can try the following steps:
1. Use a search engine to look up the specific registry keys you mentioned, such as "HKLM\Software\Nuance" or "HKLM\Software\Nuance\Dragon Assistant 3". This may provide more information about the purpose and origin of these keys.
2. Check the "Startup" tab in the Task Manager to see if there are any related processes or applications running that could be associated with these registry keys. If you find any, you can try disabling or removing them to see if the registry keys are still present.
3. Consider using a registry cleaner tool to scan and clean up your registry. These tools can help identify and remove invalid or unused registry entries, which may include the Nuance-related keys if they are no longer needed.
If you are still unsure about the legitimacy of these registry keys or suspect malware, it is always a good idea to run a reputable antivirus or anti-malware scan on your system to ensure its security.
Windows updated to the latest version and updates.
Scanned with Malwarebytes, AdwCleaner and Microsoft Defender, all 0 detection.
If your system is up to date and you have scanned it with reputable antivirus and anti-malware software, and no threats or unwanted software were detected, it is less likely that the Nuance-related registry keys are the result of malware.
In some cases, registry keys can be created by legitimate software even if you do not recall installing them yourself. It is possible that the Nuance-related registry keys were installed as part of a bundled software package or as a component of another application you have installed in the past.
If you are still concerned about the presence of these registry keys and want to ensure their legitimacy, you can try the following steps:
1. Research the specific Nuance-related registry keys online to see if they are associated with any known legitimate software applications or components. Look for information from reputable sources such as the official Nuance website or user forums.
2. Consider reaching out to Nuance support directly to inquire about the presence of these registry keys on your system. They may be able to provide more information about any bundled software or components that could be responsible for these keys.
3. If you are still unsure about the legitimacy of these registry keys and want to remove them, it is recommended to create a backup of your registry before making any changes. This will allow you to restore the registry to its previous state if any issues arise.
Remember, it is always important to exercise caution when dealing with unknown registry keys or software components. Regularly updating and running security software on your system can help ensure the safety and integrity of your computer.