Toshiba Bloatware

On a thread I started yesterday, I was discussing running a HDD recovery utility on my Tecra M4, because I plan to restore the laptop back to factory level, and then rebuild it.

One of the posters mentioned the issue of bloatware...and I see on the instructions for restoration that I have options to include whatever software I want on my install.

Enclosed is a list of the software said to be bundled in the system...I have excluded any 30-day trial stuff, since we've never used them before. Please give me your opinion which of these ought to be loaded.

Third-party Software
• Microsoft® Works™
• Microsoft® Office OneNote™
• Zinio Reader
• Software Decoder: Intervideo® (WinDVD™ 5)
• Sonic® Solutions Drive Letter Access (DLA)
• Sonic® Solutions RecordNow! Basic

Toshiba Software and Utilities
• Toshiba ConfigFree™
• Toshiba Custom Utilities
• Electronic User’s Guide

 

None; there are good alternatives for those apps if needed.

 

what about the Toshiba software and utilities (non-third party). Are they basic to the system?

 

I dont think theyre needed but you can read about Toshiba's ConfigFree here. I think XP/Vista provides sufficient wireless controls.

I also dont know what exactly is included as Custom Utilities.

 

I've noticed when I go into the programs menu, there's a entry for Toshiba software upgrades which I think might be important, but I have no idea what this different utilities do or if I even use them at all.