Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

On Factory Image (D:) What must be present

Jan 18, 2015 9:28AM PST

Image (DHappy As this is a popular subject, about space. What I would like to know is? In Image D there are programs that are a must and need to stay. On the other hand, there are programs that you do not need that may have a lot of meg and can be deleted. I do know most of the tricks about keeping my pc clean and free of malware etc. The one thing I would like to know is? What or How can I tell what programs that I can delete, and what programs that I must keep without damaging my PC? I tried to get some feedback from Microsoft with this question, but all of you probably know them. You can't get nothing from MS unless you pay them. The same with HP. So I need you people. I am sure there won't be any charge. Can someone give me some feedback?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
You decide...
Jan 18, 2015 10:17AM PST

Only you can decide what you want to keep and then remove/delete the rest. Once all that is done, you can then image the remaining as you wish. DON"T remove anything remotely OS required. Basically, you want to remove pgms/apps NOT any component of the OS or device s/w, etc.. Once all that is done, again image the remaining s/w.

You can use "DECRAPIER" google for it and allow it to select the most likely unneeded bloatware or crapware installed on a new PC. You can do this as a freebie s/w download. As time goes on and you may find you don't something and decide you don't really need it, re-image again after removal.

tada -----Willy Happy

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: factory image
Jan 22, 2015 5:13AM PST

You shouldn't change anything in the factory image, or it isn't a factory image any more. If you want to make your own image with less programs, or more programs, or the latest updates, go ahead but store it elsewhere.

Kees