We've found Microsoft's Windows 7 to be an excellent operating system, but the fact remains that many consumers buying new PCs will be treated to a Windows 7 experience bloated with unwanted crapware.
Although Microsoft, sadly, doesn't make its own PCs, it is hoping to ease the problem of junk or demo software by offering what it calls Signature PCs.
Available from Microsoft's two retail stores (one in Arizona, one in California) and Microsoft's online outlet, Signature PCs are essentially third-party systems loaded with Windows 7 and Microsoft's preferred choice of applications. The manufacturers themselves are able to load systems with software designed to take advantage of certain hardware, but not in the form of trial applications.
Extending the customer experience, Microsoft's in-store staff are also on hand to help customers install third-party software, in case you're in need of a rival application such as iTunes.So what exactly do you get on a Microsoft Signature PC as standard? Here's the complete list of bundled applications, which we presume can be customised in-store prior to purchase:
- Internet Explorer 8
- Windows Media Center
- Internet TV Update for Media Center
- Playready PC Runtime (for WMC)
- Microsoft Security Essentials
- Microsoft Silverlight
- Adobe Flash Player for IE
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Bing 3D Maps
- Zune 4.0
- Live ID Sign-in Assistant
- Windows Live Essentials
- Windows Live Call
- Windows Live Family Safety
- Windows Live Mail
- Windows Live Messenger
- Windows Live Photo Gallery
- Windows Live Writer
- Microsoft Office Live Add-In
- Windows Live Sync
- Windows Live Movie Maker
- Windows Live Toolbar
Microsoft clearly wants to clean up the image of the PC market, and its Signature PCs aren't a bad idea. Trouble is, they're only available in the U.S. at present - here's hoping it encourages manufacturers around the globe to declutter their systems. We're not sure about the Windows Live Toolbar, though.
