Decrap removes bloatware from your factory fresh PC

Martin Brinkmann
May 31, 2013
Updated • Jul 3, 2019
Windows, Windows software
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PC manufacturers such as Dell, Asus, HP or Toshiba increase the revenue of each system they sell by installing third party software on these systems. They cooperate with software companies who pay them for the privilege of adding programs, links or files to the manufactured PCs.

The applications added to PCs this way are commonly referred to as bloatware or crapware as they usually are trial software or software limited in other ways that the majority of users do not need at all; this can be free trial versions of antivirus software, a DVD burning software, or simply shortcuts on the desktop that link to sites on the Internet.

Manufacturers in addition to that add programs of their own to the PC which are also often not needed to work with the PC. Some of these may slow down the start of the system or introduce stability or security issues of their own to the system.

While you can now go ahead and uninstall all those programs, shortcuts and files manually and spend an hour or two doing so, you can alternatively use a program that automates the process so that you can remove and uninstall most bloatware that shipped with your PC in one single swipe.

Update: Decrap is no longer available. The website displays a "back soon" message but it has done so for more than two years at the time of writing this update. We have uploaded the latest release version of Decrap to our own server for archiving purposes. Note that we don't support the program in any form. You can download it with a click on the following link: Decrap End

Decrap review

The go-to program is PC Decrapifier as it has been around for years. Decrap is a new program that provides a similar feature set to users. The free program is available as a portable version or installer, and based on the popular jv16 PowerTools application.

decrap my computer pc

The program displays a couple of tips to you on first start that act as a tutorial of sorts. The program itself can be run in automatic mode or manually. Automatic means that it will uninstall and remove crapware on your computer without input.

Warning: As you can see on the screenshot above, it is not recommended to run the program in automatic mode. While it covers some programs and files that may not be needed anymore on the system, it is also listing others for removal that you may still need on your system. It is highly suggested to run the program in manual mode to avoid any issues caused by the removal of files.

The results are divided into several groups:

  • Automatically starting software.
  • Desktop items.
  • Start menu items.
  • Third party software.
  • Windows related software.

Third party software lists all non-Microsoft software installed on the system and everything is checked by default.

It is important to go through the list one by one to uncheck any item that you do not want to uninstall on your system.

The program recommends to create a system restore point before you go ahead with the deletion. The option is checked by default and it is recommended to keep it that way unless you have created another backup prior to running the application.

Decrap my Computer can run all program uninstallers silently in the background, or display the interface of each on the screen to give you more control over the process. It scans the Registry for leftovers automatically after the uninstallation process. You can change this to manual mode to verify the results before they are deleted, or select to not clean the Registry at all.

registry cleaning pc

Closing Words

This program has been designed to run on all Windows systems, but it makes the most sense to run it on factory-fresh PCs that you have not started to customize yet. The core reason here is that it will catch all third party software, all desktop files and shortcuts and other system related settings when it scans the system. That's great if you have not installed any software of your own yet, or added files to the desktop.

If you did, you can still use the program but should run it manually as you may end up with a system where all the programs that you have installed are gone too.

Summary
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Author Rating
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Software Name
Decrap
Operating System
Windows
Software Category
Administration
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Comments

  1. Anonymous said on March 9, 2023 at 1:52 pm
    Reply

    Does it come back after every “moment” update?

  2. Baloney said on March 9, 2023 at 2:23 pm
    Reply

    Yeah right.. Like this is going to stop defender from running =) This is comedy gold right here.

  3. Anonymous said on March 9, 2023 at 3:25 pm
    Reply

    no ‘about the author’ paragraph?

  4. Gregory said on March 9, 2023 at 4:19 pm
    Reply

    For permanent disable defender is if removed complete from system no just change permission folder.

    Just this is joke.

  5. moi said on March 9, 2023 at 5:57 pm
    Reply

    simpler, load Autoruns (SysInternals)
    – filter “Defender”
    – untag all entries
    – reboot
    nothing has changed since my 1st modification years ago

  6. John G. said on March 9, 2023 at 6:32 pm
    Reply

    I wouldn’t disable Defender imho, it has too many hidden roots inside Windows itself. One time I tried to uninstall it using brute force scripts and then the Onedrive feature stopped working definitely. A reinstallation was needed and since those times I prefer to maintain Defender untouched. It’s a better method to install another antivirus and it will disable Defender in a safer and easier mode (e.g., Avast is the best in this way, and also Panda Cloud Free is good too).

    1. Tweakmaster said on September 29, 2023 at 9:57 am
      Reply

      U are just * [Editor: removed] thats the problem ;p first of all u shall always debloat windows u shall have max 65 services with your drivers for pc and windows own servs. You didnt know what that script did

  7. boris said on March 10, 2023 at 12:19 am
    Reply

    You can not stop defender from running in background or remove it without some penalty. All you can do is to limit telemetry.

    1. TelV said on March 10, 2023 at 4:52 pm
      Reply

      @borts,

      It’s probably Smartscreen which is preventing WD from being disabled. Get rid of that and the problem should be solved: https://thegeekpage.com/disable-windows-defender-smartscreen/#How_to_disable_the_Windows_Defender_SmartScreen_via_Local_Group_Policy_Editor

  8. hoho said on March 10, 2023 at 1:47 pm
    Reply

    Remove Windows and go for Linux.

    1. basingstoke said on March 10, 2023 at 2:51 pm
      Reply

      Linux sucks dude. Besides it’s not comparable to Windows, these OSes are in different classes entirely.

      1. Derp said on March 10, 2023 at 4:36 pm
        Reply

        I use Linux as my daily driver. It’s far more stable than Windows. When’s the last time you used Linux, 2010?

      2. Bromosexual said on March 11, 2023 at 2:04 am
        Reply

        @basingstoke

        You’re right, dude. Bro, linux is just a bunch of code that starts before the OS, dude. Brobrodude, that shit ain’t even got emojis, dudebrodudeman! Dudebro, it’s no way near as cool as Windows with its hardcoded abilities to make money off the user, bro. Yo brodude man, you’re the coolest dude ever man, bro. Dude.

      3. basingstoke said on August 16, 2023 at 7:20 pm
        Reply

        Lol what? Windows 7 doesn’t come with any Emojis

  9. TelV said on March 10, 2023 at 4:46 pm
    Reply

    Download Autoruns and remove the checkmark from Windows Defender. It doesn’t remove it, but it will never run. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns

  10. Simon said on March 10, 2023 at 8:37 pm
    Reply

    Just use “Defender Control”:
    https://www.sordum.org/9480/defender-control-v2-1/comment-page-1/#comments

    Per this video,
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLIjr7FyxZ8
    it also works on Windows 11 too…

  11. Someone said on March 10, 2023 at 9:26 pm
    Reply

    Win Defender, is completly the most succesful free-built in antivirus of Microsoft. Really nice product. Saved my ass a lot of times. Has updated malware database, completly strong defence
    from whatever smart screen disables. Or if you want better and more upgrated (paid) program,
    you can go further. But defender is always on your side.

  12. CalixtoWVR1 said on March 10, 2023 at 10:03 pm
    Reply

    Why would one disable Windows (or Microsoft) Defender in the first place?. I consider this to be playing with fire big time. Everybody knows that if one is using another A-V, Defender will be disabled on its own and won’t be in one’s way.

  13. Ed D said on March 10, 2023 at 11:09 pm
    Reply

    Why would I want to disable Windows Defender in the first place? It’s a great anti virus in my opinion. Been using it since Windows 8 and and never had a problem or a virus. Why mess with a good thing, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

  14. owl said on August 17, 2023 at 1:57 am
    Reply

    How a ridiculous article!
    I am thoroughly stunned.

    Why Should You Disable First-Party Windows Defender?
    I can only think that it is “malice or perversely intention (want you to buy a third-party AV where you can expect a back margin)” to guide invalidation without showing the premise.
    No sane company will use third-party closed source programs (such as AV).

    As I thought, “Ghacks Technology News” seems to be coming to downfall.

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