How To Remove Preloaded Trial Software from my new Netbook?

With storage space at a premium, one of the first things you may want to do after receiving your new netbook, getting it out of the box and switching on for the first time. Remove the preloaded trial software from your new netbook.

Many models come with all sorts of different promotional or trial software preloaded, such as a time limited copy of Microsoft Office, virus scanners and so on.

Unless you actually want to try-out this software, or even to buy a full version, then all it’s doing is taking up space on your hard-drive. If you have a netbook with a small 8GB or 16GB solid state drive, then it’s going to be even more important to remove the junk.

Assuming your netbook is running Windows XP, then this is extremely easy.

Step 1 : Start the ‘Add or Remove Programs’ applet

First go to the Control Panel, look for the ‘Add or Remove Programs’ icon and double-click it.

This make take a few moments to be displayed, so just be patient for a second. A list of all of the software programs that are currently installed on your netbook will be displayed. Once it’s ready, you will be able to continue.

Step 2 : Select the first program to be removed from your netbook

Once the list of installed programs is displayed, look for the one you want to remove (for example Microsoft Office), then click it so that it is highlighted.

Once the program that you want to un-install is highlighted, you will see a “Remove” button. Click this to start the removal process.

Again, this may take some moments, but once it’s done, you will see that it has gone from the list. Some programs require that the netbook is restarted after software has been removed, so if you are asked to restart you should do so.

A word of warning

Actually, two things:

• Before removing something, please bear in mind that you will not be able to reinstall something that you remove, unless you have the installation program. It’s possible that this on the DVD supplied with your netbook, but not always – so please check this first and only remove once you’re sure.
• If you remove the trial version of a virus scanner (such as McAfee VirusScan or Norton AntiVirus) from your netbook, you absolutely must install a replacement. Running your netbook without any protection against viruses will result in a virus infection. The Internet is absolutely riddled with viruses, and you risk losing all your data on your netbook without anti-virus softwareAnti-virus software is generally sold on a yearly subscription basis (as they need to be updated regularly) and don’t cost so very much (Compare prices).  The updates will be done automatically so you’ll have peace of mind. Just don’t go for no virus protection at all just to save a few pounds.