> Is it even possible to buy a Windows laptop right now with only the OS installed?
Microsoft's Windows Installation Media Creation Tool [1] enables you to download a clean Windows 8.1 ISO that can be used to re-install the operating system and wipe out all of the preloaded bloatware on any PC.
To do the same with a Windows 7 PC, visit Microsoft's Software Recovery website [2].
From Windows 8.1 Update 1 onwards, there is a built-in PowerShell cmdlet called Export-WindowsDriver [3] that will backup all of your third-party drivers prior to reinstalling the OS.
On older versions of Windows, DoubleDriver [4] is a good alternative.
Once you have created a bootable USB flash drive from the Windows ISO [5], another useful tip is to create a folder called $WinPEDriver$ in the root of the drive and copy the drivers you backed up into here. Windows will automatically install the drivers found in the $WinPEDriver$ folder during installation of the OS.
Good list of resources, but I'd like to add that the Windows 7 recovery page doesn't accept OEM license keys. If you try to enter the key from the sticker on your laptop, you will most likely be told to contact your hardware provider. Which means you're stuck with their crapware installer.
Wow haven't heard of those before, actually kind of like the idea of buying a PC and knowing there is an untouched version of Windows on it (unless you consider IE malware) :)
I bought my last laptop this way, and it's been very satisfying to own. There was no funny business, it's just straight-up Windows. It didn't even have any stickers on it except for a tiny Intel sticker.
Yes it is, you can even buy laptops with no OS pre-installed or a gnu/linux distro.
Chromebooks are the worst possible thing, I tell everyone to stay away from these crippled google branded piece of slavery.
I advise either a second hand quality laptop or a brand new one while budgeting a little extra for cleaning the crap that manufacturers preload inside to allow for such a low selling price.
With Windows even if you buy the boxed version it still doesn't mean you are free from hardware vendors fuckery. The necessary drivers are quite often bundled with shitware.
It's usually possible to unpack the driver installer, find the .INF file, and point Windows at it - this gives you the driver without any of the bloatware.
All laptops contain something which some people consider bloatware, because it is difficult to draw the line.
For instance, is it "only the OS installed" if it includes hardware-specific support for the display adapter, or a fingerprint reader?
Anyway, all laptops I have seen include either a generic Windows OS installation disk, or an option to order one for the price of mailing cost. But of course even with these you might have something included which you do not consider "only the OS".
Well, not for me. Like, what about the login management related to fingerprint reader? The reader and device driver are quite useless by themselves if you cannot use them for login. So the laptop vendor obviously bundles the driver and application together. And then you get an app that hooks itself in the place where you normally give your password. And might hook another application which does an alternative login method using the built-in camera (facial recognition).
I think Microsoft sells those in its stores but even then I'm pretty sure they come with a few things but mostly from the manufacturer.
It would sure be nice to bring home a Windows machine that only had Windows on it and any necessary but minor applications from the manufacturer (like a settings application or drivers and not some photo sharing spyware).
This is exactly why I've been recommending Chromebooks to anyone who asks my advice for about a year now.