First, banish the bloatware
In Windows, click the Settings cog icon on the Start menu, then choose Apps and Apps & features. You’ll see all the applications on your system listed—select any one and hit Uninstall to remove it. Most programs can be erased this way, though some can’t be removed. With all that in mind, here’s how to keep your laptop software lightweight: get rid of pre-installed programs you don’t want, and then ensure your laptop doesn’t get cluttered up with unwanted software in the future. Bloatware is less of a problem on macOS devices, but you might not want to keep all of the programs Apple includes. You’ve got a few different options when it comes to uninstalling programs from macOS. You could open up the Applications folder in Finder, and then drag the app icon down to Trash to remove it from your system. Alternatively, open Launchpad from the Dock or the Applications folder, click and hold on an app icon until it starts shaking, then tap the little X icon that appears.
Be careful with installers
The only way to really guard against this is to pay attention as you install new software, and don’t zone out while clicking the Next buttons until you’ve reached the end. Watch out for tick boxes that are checked by default and effectively give permission for the program to install extra software. Avoid agreeing to install any add-ons or plug-ins you don’t immediately recognize as programs you opted to download. If you’re in any doubt, navigate away from the page you’re on, or close the tab.
Lock down your browser
Watch out for extra toolbars appearing in your browser, or browser settings (like the default search engine) changing without warning—you can always head to the extensions settings page in your browser to remove extensions you’re not sure about. When you install a new extension in your browser, you’ll get a pop-up explaining the permissions it has—the data it can see, and the changes it can make to your system. Don’t install any extras on top of your browser without double-checking the developers behind them and reading reviews left by current users.
Practice good security
If you’re on Windows, you can make use of the built-in Windows Defender software that comes with the operating system and specifically checks for the installation of authorized apps. From Windows Settings, click Update & Security, Windows Security, and App & browser control to make sure the feature is enabled. The same goes for email attachments or links sent over social media—we’ve written before about some of the warning signs. If someone sends you something you weren’t expecting, whether it’s a document or a download, check the email address (the account may have your brother’s name, but if the email address is unfamiliar, step away) before opening anything.
