Add option to pre-install lots of free software

March 28, 2012

Posted By:  HerrKaputt

2 Votes

Status: Archived

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There is an immense amount of quality and free software for Windows. I'm sure Dell has heard of OpenOffice and LibreOffice, but you can find a very extensive list of such software here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/337890-ever-growing-free-windows-software-list.html

Most of that software has been tested by members of the NBR forum (myself included).

My suggestion is that Dell offers to pre-install a good portion of this software. In many cases, the license agreements allow corporate use and distribution, as long as the original license file is also distributed. Applications which should be part of these choices include:

OpenOffice and LibreOffice
Web browsers: Chrome, Firefox and IE itself
Adobe Reader
Thunderbird
Skype

Other possible options:

Notepad++
Windows Live Essentials
Winamp
Codec packs like CCCP or K-Lite
Docks like ObjectDock
WinRAR and 7-zip
Resource monitors like CPU-Z, GPU-Z and the addgadget.com gadgets.
...

I understand that for many users, this tremendous amount of choice might be overwhelming. Dell could perhaps offer these on machines for power users only, like Alienware and perhaps Latitude and Precision. In any case, the most important is that the option for "I do not want any pre-installed software" is clearly marked.

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  • Apr 14, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By:
    Hyncharas

    I've used the CCCP and K-Lite codec packs before and they cause more harm than good most of the time; however, perhaps Apple QuickTime and the DIVX Free Suite should be available as options.
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  • Apr 7, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By:
    natakuc4

    I have compiled a list of what I think is some useful software here:
    http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/3328.2-8-useful-software-for-microsoft-windows-free.aspx

    While I agree with your idea in some aspects, I think it will be hard for Dell to implement. Essentially the factory settings are bulk designed. i.e. applied to a great many systems quickly. If such customisation is added a great many images will need to be made.

    I also got some of the software listed you have mentioned installed such as the Adobe Reader 9 and Skype 4.2. Problem was as soon as I got the system shipped, the software was outdated, there were new versions... Adobe Reader X and Skype 5.8. Actually in these 2 examples I prefer the older versions as they seem more stable.

    However if Ccleaner, Defraggler, Adobe Reader, Open Office, Chrome, Firefox, 7zip etc. were all installed on your brand new system today. If you go to factory settings in 3 months or more time. You will have alot of software kicking about on your system that essentially becomes uninstalled and reinstalled, messing up the registry. Maybe they should have an updated list of "Dell Recommended" free software on the desktop which describes each of the software and which the user may pick and choose to install from.
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  • Mar 29, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By: kleow

    Yes, Dell definitely should.