GLENBARD Loc: Florida

For the last 2 days "occasionaly" I've been trying to weed out the junk "Dell" put into my computer and little by little I'm getting there. I wish there was a list that I could go down one by one and kill everything not needed. I'm doing all this because my overall aim is to setup my desktop system only for imaging including video and it will all be copyrighted. Also, I do not keep a connection "on" to the internet unless I send a file or download something I want. So here recently I've been thinking about going ahead and getting Lightroom/Photoshop because the Windows picture file system/disk burner system sucks, and I'd rather have editor that I'm familiar wth even tho my last one was Photoshop 7 on a Mac. So I "guess" my connection has to be on all the time for Photoshop. So a couple of questions; Does anyone here use a VPN and which one, and secondly I don't want any "Cloud Sh** to automatically take place and I'd rather run extras drives so if you have any preferences there I'd appreciate it. Btw, the OneDrive system in Windows is automatic I guess cause I don't remember signing up for it, and I don't want any of that. I would appreciate any hints you have to help me realize my goal, thanks.

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

Regarding OneDrive, it is part of the Windows operating system and allows you the ability to access files from different computers in different physical locations since the files are located in the "cloud". However files are stored there only if you designate OneDrive as the storage location for each individual file.

Nigel7 Loc: Worcestershire. UK.

Hello Glenbard,

I use Norton VPN as a part of Norton 360 Premium, for complete computer security.

Both our home computers are wired to our router so with Norton 360 I'm as happy as anyone can be that our connections are secure for online purchasing, banking etc.

However our tablets and phones operate over wifi or, if out, on the UK 4G Mobile network. We still have Norton on the tablets/phones but the VPN then provides the extra security should anyone with a scanner be looking to intercept our wifi or 4G mobile communications.

I purchase Norton 360 Premium annually from simplyantivirus.co.uk for £24.99 and this covers up to 10 computers/tablets/phones.

I am wary of relying on the cloud for back-up, so do operate 2 separate back-up drives. One is attached to my PC unless I'm away from home and then I hide it away. This backs up automatically every day. The second drive is only used monthly and between back-ups is kept at a remote location away from home.

One Drive/Google Drive/Dropbox etc. can be useful for sending files to a third party where they are too large to email.

I hope these comments are of help.

Nigel.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

PS and LR CC don’t need to be connected to the internet all the time - just enough to periodically verify your subscription status. As for all the Dell “extras”, you can always just format the drive and reinstall Windows, but lacking that, just go to settings/programs and uninstall everything you don’t want. Also you may find OneDrive useful for sharing files or as an off-site disaster recovery copy of your data.

decoonass Loc: San Antonio

I use Revo uninstaller to get rid of apps i dont want. Get rid of some Win10 apps as well as the normal stuff.
Gets rid of all of the files that go along with the apps you get rid of. I used the free version for some years.
Bought the Pro version am very pleased with it. Top of the line customer service.

https://www.revouninstaller.com/revo-uninstaller-free-download/

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

Windows "BING" and "EDGE" are pure junk. I use Google Chrome but, these two still interfere. Windows will not let me delete them. A real pain in the oompas!

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

As TriX said, you do not need to be on the internet to use either Photoshop or Lightroom. It's all on your computer. They do occasionally connect to make sure your subscription is up to date but that is minimal.
That is assuming you are not utilizing their cloud service for storage.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Check out Private Internet Access for a VPN.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I don't know about PC/Windows extras however, I deleted all the extras from my cell phone and when I get a software update, presto, they are back. Like trying to swim upstream!

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

For the extra drives aspect I would recommend you give strong consideration to the solid state drives. No moving parts to die.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

“Bing” is a web program that you access through “Edge”, but you are correct that “Edge” is one of the programs which is integrated into Windows and is therefore cannot be deleted. If you use Windows, it will be there by definition.

df61743 Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Edge was once embedded into Windows in such a way that it could not be uninstalled, but that has changed with recent updates. Now it can be your choice to install the new Edge, or not. I hated the original Edge, but I have given the new one a test drive and find it to be a pretty dang nice browser. Bing is not "program", it is simply Microsoft's search engine; a web site you can visit or not visit. Microsoft is famous for trying to make it the home page in your browser. Personally, my search engine of choice is DuckDuckGo.

Regarding OneDrive, it's included in Windows, but if you choose it can be easily uninstalled. Actually, I find it to be more useful than Google Drive or Dropbox.

Dick

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

Revo Uninstaller is good for removing some of the 3rd party apps in Win10.

If you want to remove some of the junk built into win10, then I suggest 'Debloat' . It will remove a lot of the built-in Microsoft apps. Google 'Debloat' for more information. I've use it on every windows machine without problems. But it is a one-way street. Once gone, it can't be reversed easily.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

You should never rely on the cloud for your primary backup. Not because it's inherently unsafe: cloud backup is probably an order of magnitude or maybe several orders safer than your 2 separate backup drives. The primary problem is bandwidth. It will take a long time to restore a lot if files if it becomes necessary.

You should rely on your 2 (or 3 or more) separate backup drives for your primary backup. If you have a problem they are there for you and the restore speed is as fast as it can get. You should rely on a cloud backup service as your secondary backup system. Your 2 drives are in your house. If there is a disaster involving your house, those drives will be lost. If you put a third drive somewhere away from your house, it could be lost in a regional disaster (less frequent, but not unheard of). A cloud backup is maintained by professionals, as opposed to your separate drives, which are maintained by an amateur. The cloud backup is widely distributed, probably across countries if not continents, so a regional disaster will not affect it.

Local storage for backup. Cloud storage for backup backup.

Naturally, it all depends on the value you place on your files (ALL your files, not just your photos).