Bloatware and other junk - what's what and how do I get rid of it.

Question

I have a new Toshiba Satellite L650 series. For the most part I am very pleased with it. I am aware that there is "bloatware, Junk" software preloaded. However, I do not know how to tell what is junk and what I might actually need. Names and even the brief descriptions of the stuff has not proved helpful. Sooooo, the limited info I have found about getting rid of it seems to assume I know what I want to get rid of and what I want to keep.
Q 1) Is there anywhere that will give me a more detailed explanation of what each of these items are or do?
Q 2) Any lists of what I absolutely need to keep and not uninstall or I will have a big problem somewhere?
Q 3) If there are no specifics how about some general guidelines?
Q 4) Is there any downloads out there that are safe (free would be nice too) that just removes the unnecessary crap?
Q 5) Why oh why to otherwise honorable computer companies like Toshiba plauge us with this stuff? At least give us an easy button to get rid of it. I understand having to put up with advertisements when you get something free but not when you fork out money.
Any assistance would be appreciated.

Answer 1

A 1) Read your User Guide, do a search on Google, read the info on these utilities on the Toshiba site. I've never had a problem finding what each utility was for/did when I really looked for it.
A 2) I wouldn't uninstall anything. At sometime or another almost all the utilities are needed/useful. Instead use MSConfig.exe and remove the check marks in the 'Startup' tab from the utilities loading there that you do not use. Use services.msc to stop and/or disable the Toshiba services you do not use. Both these methods make it easy to re-enable or restart these utilities, should you find it necessary.
A 3) See A1 and A2
A 4) Not that I know of. What is necessary or unnecessary here is actually a very subjective thing. It depends on the user.
A 5) This a peer support forum. This is just other users and Toshiba owners trying to help each other out. Please contact customer service, write a letter to the CEO, write a review on a consumer report site, etc, with your complaints.
Mike