A question about preinstalled software by the manufacturer

I will (likely) be buying an Asus notebook in the near future, pre-loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium... plus numerous pieces of software preinstalled by the manufacturer. I will be upgrading to Windows 7 Pro immediately afterwards.

Before buying, I would like if, when I upgrade (by clean install) will it be possible to keep some of that software? For the most part, much of the preloaded stuff is useless bloatware anyways, so clearing it is no problem. However, it will contain a few programs that I would still want, such as CD/DVD burning utilities.

I am also unsure of whether Asus laptops come with the original OS image on another partition, or on an included DVD; can anyone clarify that as well?

 

Some asus laptops come with a partition, some come with recovery media, some come with both. But you will always have at least one of them. Secondly, if there is a CD/DVD burning utility (I imagine you're referring to Power2Go) then there will be a disc including it with your laptop. All other programs should be on your Drivers and Utilities disc.

 

For stuff like burning CDs and DVDs there are many free alternatives.

 

Thanks for the reply -- those were the answers I needed.

Indeed, but I'm more used to using the proprietary burning software available than the freeware/open source alternatives. I was using the recording software as an example, though.

 

I believe that if you do a clean install you may not be legally allowed to install OEM software - it should be detailed in the license terms.

However, depending on how bad it is, it may be a good idea to just use the manufacturer installation.

 

OEM is bundled with the system, as long as you're using the same system it should be fine....otherwise resellers wouldn't be allowed to use the driver and utilities discs with the copies of Ultimate they sell.