By Brian Wright on Thursday, 09 January 2014
Category: Windows

Garbageware - Common Software to Remove

In our constant battle to clean up consumer systems and get them running like new again, we often have to remove a number applications we classify as "garbageware". The number of malware and garbage applications that willl install as a result of downloading something from the Internet is growing exponentially. If you think you found a free application on the Internet, think again before you download and install it. 

There is a large varience of what this term garbageware is by various IT professionals, but here is how we define it.

Garbageware - any software application that is not essential to the operation of a computers everyday use, inhibits the system's proper function, or may ineffectively use system resource with little to no benefit to the user. This list also includes malware and spyware apps that may have hooks into the various web browsers.

As a self-help tip for those interested in knowing what to remove from their system to improve the system performance, here is our list of common applications that typically fall into our garbageware list. The Malware column contains some of the worst applications that can be found in the Uninstall Programs application of the Windows Control Panel. This list is constantly changing so you may want to check back frequently.

Malware Toolbars Non-Essentials
  • 24x7
  • AC3 filter
  • Adblock Plus for IE
  • Ads by LaSuperba
  • Advanced Identity Protector
  • ALOT Appbar
  • AppToU
  • Astromenda
  • Bestpriceninja.com
  • Boost Shopping (Shop with Boost)
  • Browser Address Error Redirector
  • Browser Safeguard with Rockettab
  • Browser System Enhancer
  • Bubble Dock
  • Buzzdock
  • CA Pest Patrol Realtime Protection
  • Cash Back Assistant
  • CheckMeUp
  • Chromium
  • CinemaP-1.9cV30.03
  • Cinema-Plus
  • Clean PC 365
  • CloudScout Parental Control
  • Comcast Desktop Software v1.2.0.9
  • Consumer Input
  • Coupon Printer
  • Coupon Printer for Windows
  • Desktop Weather Alerts
  • Down Lite
  • Dregol by Chromium
  • Driver Robot
  • Driver Support
  • Driver Update
  • Driver Restore
  • DXG-563Y
  • Eppink
  • Extended Update
  • F.Lux
  • Fix My PC
  • FlashBeat
  • Flash Player Pro v5.4
  • Framed Display
  • Freeze.com Net Assistant
  • Games Desktop
  • GeekBuddy
  • Genius Box
  • GorillaPrice
  • HughesNet Tools
  • Infonaut 1.10.0.13
  • Instant Savings App
  • Internet Explorer Toolbar 4.7 by SweetPacks
  • iYogi Support Dock
  • JJpgMiakerr
  • KinugCouPon
  • LinKey
  • Liveistream
  • Lucky Leap
  • Media Buzz
  • Media View
  • Media Viewer
  • MegaBrowse
  • MultiPDF Converter
  • MyMaps XP
  • My PC Backup
  • Network System Driver
  • Optimizer Pro
  • One SoftPerDay
  • One System Care
  • Online Vault
  • Optimizer Pro
  • PC Fix Speed
  • PC Performer
  • PC Power Speed
  • PC Tech HotLine
  • PC TuneUp Maestro
  • Pocket Cloud Desktop
  • PremierOpinion
  • Price Finder
  • Price Gong
  • PureLeads
  • Qoobox
  • QuueeinCoouupon
  • rEuduConVerteru
  • RoyalCoUpoN
  • RoyAlShoppeRAopup
  • SaferWeb
  • SaLLesChecker
  • Screenery
  • SDiManage
  • Search App by Ask
  • Search Module
  • Search Protect
  • Search Protection
  • Selection Links
  • ShopAtHome.com
  • Shopper.Pro
  • Shopper-Pro
  • Shopping App by Ask
  • SialesCheckEEr
  • SlimCleaner Plus
  • SmartWeb
  • Solid Savings
  • Speed Browser
  • SSooft Coup
  • Super Optimizer v3.2
  • Suprasavings
  • Suptab
  • Support Soft Assisted Service
  • Software Version Updater
  • Super Optimizer
  • System Checkup 3.5
  • Taplika
  • Unchecky
  • Uniblue DriverScanner
  • unicoupons
  • Updater by Creative Island Media LLC
  • URL Assistant
  • ValuApps
  • Web Companion
  • Web Shield
  • Websteriods
  • the weDownload Manager
  • Windows Driver Package
  • WinPcap 4.1.2
  • Winservice86
  • Woebsaver
  • WorldWideWebCoupon
  • WowCoupon
  • WSE_Astromenda
  • WSE_Vosteran
  • Yontoo Layers Client
  • YT Downloader
  • Amazon 1Button App
  • Any Protect
  • AOL Toolbar
  • Ask Toolbar
  • AVG SafeGuard toolbar
  • Bing Bar
  • Bing Toolbar
  • Comcast Toolbar
  • CouponBar
  • DailyWellnessGuide Internet Explorer Toolbar
  • FilmFanatic Toolbar by Mindspark
  • FromDocToPDF Internet Explorer Toolbar
  • Google Toolbar
  • Inbox Toolbar
  • InboxAce Internet Explorer Toolbar
  • iWebar
  • MapsGalaxy Internet Explorer Toolbar
  • My Web Search Toolbar
  • OnlineMapFinder Internet Explorer Toolbar
  • Qwest Windows Live Toolbar Buttons
  • Qwest Quickcare 2.7
  • SafePCRepair Internet Explorer Toolbar
  • Search Toolbar
  • ShopAtHome.com Toolbar
  • ShopAtHomeWatch
  • Suddenly Music Toolbar by Mindspark
  • TelevisionFanatic Toolbar by Mindspark
  • TotalRecipeSearch Firefox Toolbar
  • TotalRecipeSearch Internet Explorer Toolbar
  • VideoDownloadConverter Internet Explorer Toolbar
  • Web Bar 2.0
  • WiseConvert Toolbar
  • XFINITY Toolbar
  • Yahoo! Search Protection
  • Yahoo! Toolbar
  • 7-Zip
  • ABBYY Fine Reader
  • Acrobat.com
  • Acrobat 4.0
  • ActionTek Gateway
  • Actiontec Gateway
  • Advance System Protection
  • AOL Homepage Protection
  • Apple Safari
  • Avast Antivirus
  • AVG Antivirus
  • AVG PC TuneUp
  • BancTec Service Agreement
  • Browser Address Error Redirector
  • CenturyLink Installer
  • CCleaner*
  • Comodo Ice Dragon
  • Constant Guard currently known as Fast Connect
  • Defraggler
  • Dell Digital Delivery
  • Dell Digital Delivery Services
  • Dell Dock
  • Dell eBay
  • Dell Foundation Services
  • Dell Getting Started Guide
  • Dell Optimizer
  • Dell Optimizer Service
  • Dell Product Registration
  • Dell Protected Workspace
  • Dell Search
  • Dell Support Assist
  • Dell Support Assist Remediation
  • Dell Update Support Assist Update Plugin
  • Dell Watchdog Timer
  • Dell Watchdog Timer Driver
  • Download Updater (AOL LLC)
  • EarthLink Setup Files
  • Fast Connect formerly known as Constant Guard
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Desktop
  • Google Earth
  • GoTo Assist 8.0.0.514
  • GoTo Opener
  • Hitman Pro
  • HP Quick Launch
  • HP Product Improvement Study
  • HP Support Assistant
  • HP User Guides 0178
  • Intel Management Engine Components
  • Java 6
  • Lenovo Product Demo
  • Lenovo Experience Improvement
  • Lenovo Vantage Service
  • Lenovo Quick Optimizer
  • LivingPlay
  • LogMeIn Hamachi
  • Malwarebytes*
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • McAfee Antivirus
  • McAfee Internet Security
  • McAfee LiveSafe - Internet Security
  • McAfee Security Center
  • McAfee Security Scan Plus
  • McAfee WebAdvisor
  • NetZero Installers
  • Nightly
  • Product Documentation Launcher
  • QualxServ Service Agreement
  • QuickConnect
  • QuickSet
  • Qwest Setup
  • Qwest QuickAssist Desktop Tools
  • Qwest Quickcare
  • RAW FILE CONVERTER LE
  • REACHit
  • Reg Clean Pro
  • Safari
  • SerialKey Builder
  • SHAREit
  • Smilebox
  • Spotify
  • SuperAntispyware
  • System Requirements Lab for Intel
  • User's Guide
  • User Manuals
  • Web Launcher
  • Webroot Antivirus
  • WinCleaner OneClick Professional
  • Yahoo! Software Updater

NOTICE:  Before making any changes to your computer, be sure to create a complete backup of your computer first in the event that your changes cause the operating system to fail to boot.

We understand that not everyone will agree with this list so please don't write us with your comments just because you disagree with one or more items on our list.

We also know that several applications in our Non-Essentials list include antivirus and other possible applications that users might have intentionally installed. We recommend that users purchase antivirus software instead of using a free application. Our recommended antivirus software is Symantec's Norton Antivirus or Kaspersky Antivirus. For both vendors we recommend only the basic versions and not the versions with the additional bells, whistles, and features.

There are several utilities that are listed in our Non-Essentials list that are noted with an asterisk (*), which we recommend using under close supervision of an IT professional. These applications may have portable versions that don't require installation, which we prefer over the installed versions. We recommend removing these applications from the computer when they are done being used. You should note that any tool that modifies the system registry, such as CCleaner has the potential of making changes that could cause the computer to fail requiring a complete reinstallation.

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