These days the recovery options for a pre-built computer are always (or nearly so) limited to hidden recovery partitions, which restore the computer to it's original state. An original state that includes the bloatware.
So, yes, you can format, but at that point you need a fresh, clean OS to install. You can use a Linux distribution, buy a new copy of Windows, or get the PC manufacturer to include a Windows disk for you. They don't like to do that, but generally will when asked / paid a small fee.

New PC: to build or not to build
02/05/2011 04:16:46 PM
- 1013 Views
The advantages of building your own computer seem to be smaller these days.
02/05/2011 05:19:09 PM
- 787 Views
I take satisfaction in tinkering with computers...
02/05/2011 06:40:12 PM
- 1110 Views
Also, one of the big savings for building your own computer...
02/05/2011 07:27:37 PM
- 780 Views
yah that's part of the problem. I don't have a desktop right now. Not even a case
02/05/2011 07:37:45 PM
- 772 Views
It's not hard at all anymore. Link for Lorraine, too
02/05/2011 09:32:48 PM
- 903 Views
I always buy Intel. Papa works there
02/05/2011 09:39:00 PM
- 846 Views

Huh, small world. What site?
02/05/2011 10:36:55 PM
- 983 Views
I have no idea what the name of his site is. Probably not that one
03/05/2011 01:50:38 AM
- 737 Views

I don't know about you...
02/05/2011 08:21:41 PM
- 814 Views
Just get a pre-made and add a few components (ie: graphics card) to make you feel like you built it. *NM*
02/05/2011 08:53:07 PM
- 387 Views
Build it.
03/05/2011 02:54:12 PM
- 941 Views
Warranty/Troubleshooting
03/05/2011 04:14:47 PM
- 786 Views
How?
03/05/2011 05:04:27 PM
- 715 Views
Re: How?
03/05/2011 06:47:56 PM
- 737 Views
Wow, I never heard about that.
03/05/2011 07:10:07 PM
- 802 Views
Nah, it was years ago. The one you gave me advice for was the replacement of the replacement, hah
03/05/2011 07:41:24 PM
- 719 Views
Yeah, I meant the power supply of the problem machine.
03/05/2011 08:10:04 PM
- 789 Views
Ah. yeah, it was one of the pieces that got replaced. It was probably at least partially responsible *NM*
03/05/2011 08:12:50 PM
- 426 Views
I like how you seem to think I'd buy a Dell
03/05/2011 04:17:58 PM
- 770 Views
If you like tinkering, then build one. Quality control is all on you, but it's "yours" then.
03/05/2011 03:00:21 PM
- 740 Views
#1 reason to build your own: no pre-loaded bloatware. *NM*
03/05/2011 04:52:45 PM
- 409 Views
Or just format when you get it. *NM*
03/05/2011 06:48:47 PM
- 395 Views
With a pre-built you can't often do that.
03/05/2011 07:19:28 PM
- 779 Views
for the record, sometimes stores will remove the bloatware for you
03/05/2011 07:28:58 PM
- 706 Views
Do prebuilts come without OS discs these days? That's bullshit. *NM*
03/05/2011 07:43:39 PM
- 412 Views
Yah, they don't.
03/05/2011 07:47:36 PM
- 736 Views
Well, it's understandable, just annoying.
03/05/2011 08:05:00 PM
- 728 Views
You really should just stop using Dell as your example
03/05/2011 10:51:10 PM
- 725 Views

Oh, hush.
04/05/2011 12:50:15 AM
- 894 Views

YOU SHALL NOT MALIGN THE HP!!!
04/05/2011 10:16:50 AM
- 746 Views
Re: YOU SHALL NOT MALIGN THE HP!!!
04/05/2011 04:55:49 PM
- 802 Views
My anecdotal evidence has HP failures being rare but spectacular.
04/05/2011 08:19:52 PM
- 746 Views
I had a Compaq laptop (built after HP had bought Compaq).
04/05/2011 09:13:54 PM
- 721 Views
Huh. I have a Compaq too. It shipped with bad RAM, but once I fixed that it's worked like a charm.
05/05/2011 12:43:48 AM
- 725 Views