Removing manufacturer 'branding' from Windows 7 install

EniGmA1981

EniGmA1981

EniGmA1981

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Hey guys - recently got a little i3 system for my other half and, naturally, being a pre-built system, it's got lots of branding throughout - most noticeably the logon screen.

I've downloaded various logon background changers etc and they DO work, but only in safe mode - I thought they weren't working but when I booted in safe mode the other day, the background was different...

So - how can I stop it doing this when booting normally?

Thanks in advance :)
 
What make is it?

Typically HP for example will have a bunch of crap in the add/remove programs

Just remove anything you don't want in add/remove programs
 
It's "Zoostorm" lol (had to buy from Littlewoods as I failed the OcUK credit check *sob*)

Nothing obvious in the add/remove, nothing stands out in msconfig either
 
iDroid84 said:
Just do a fresh windows 7 install from either an OEM disk or Retail depends what version of windows is installed.
Click to expand...

This, 100%. Use the serial key located on the COA to reinstall an bobs your uncle.

Make an image of your current install so you can always refer back.
 
Hopefully you'll have a windows 7 dvd, i'd never be without mine for start up problems etc. And would NEVER EVER leave a PC pre bundled with junkware.
 
When this happened a while ago (IE7) I found that there are some registry entries which are designed to allow OEM entries - I deleted some entries and removed the OEM entries - try searching the registry for "HP" etc e.g IE supplied by HP" or whatever the text is.

Also look here re OEM branding "reset"- somewhere down the page:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737#OEM
 
There doesn't seem to be any bloatware in here, just the logon background and some customer support bumf in the system properties box...

As for a reinstall, yes - I do have a win7 disc, but I really can't be fudged reinstalling it all lol she's already packed a load of crud on here that I can't be bothered backing up lol

Will scour the registry and see what I can find :) didn't think of looking in there (the most obvious place lol)

If I can't shift it, it can stay lol

Cheers
 
There was a folder buried in the system32 folder called "oobe" that contained the wallpaper for the lockscreen :) deleted the image and all is well :)

All the branding logo images are in there so I've deleted those and cleared the registry values that contained the customer support phone number/website etc

Simples - wish I'd looked in there first lol

Thanks for your help though guys :)
 
EniGmA1981 said:
There was a folder buried in the system32 folder called "oobe" that contained the wallpaper for the lockscreen :) deleted the image and all is well :)

All the branding logo images are in there so I've deleted those and cleared the registry values that contained the customer support phone number/website etc

Simples - wish I'd looked in there first lol

Thanks for your help though guys :)
Click to expand...

This - I had the logon wallpaper branding on my Toshiba laptop... deleteing these files 100% works.
 
iDroid84 said:
Just do a fresh windows 7 install from either an OEM disk or Retail depends what version of windows is installed.
Click to expand...

Was thinking of doing this myself, but am I likely to encounter any problems if I use my retail copy of Windows 7 HP to do a fresh install on my HP-G62 laptop that has Windows 7 HP OA installed (if I just use the OA / OEM serial number)?

Can't believe how much junk that came pre-installed on the laptop, so it would be nice to start from scratch so to speak.
 
diverse180 said:
Was thinking of doing this myself, but am I likely to encounter any problems if I use my retail copy of Windows 7 HP to do a fresh install on my HP-G62 laptop that has Windows 7 HP OA installed (if I just use the OA / OEM serial number)?

Can't believe how much junk that came pre-installed on the laptop, so it would be nice to start from scratch so to speak.
Click to expand...

Image your current hard drive and try it, I'm sure you'll be fine :). I reinstalled my Vaio laptop using my Windows 7 retail disk :).
 
Cheers Meatball, I think I'll give it a shot :)

First thing I did when I got the laptop was make the recovery discs, and I haven't installed any of my own software onto it yet.
 
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