Few people love bloatware, but Microsoft is apparently allowing a growing list of apps to come preloaded on Windows 10.
TripAdvisor is the latest app to come preinstalled on Windows 10, but the problem is not the app itself. The problem is bloatware and everything it entails.
Bloatware refers to all apps that come preloaded on a device. Often times, OEMs or carriers preload certain popular apps on devices to make them more attractive, but the practice is not always appreciated.
While some of those apps are indeed useful and many users would likely install them anyway, the problem with bloatware is that it takes up storage space from the get-go and it can slow down the device. Users can generally uninstall the apps they don't want, but why force them in the first place?
Simply put, some of the apps that come preloaded on devices or operating systems may be useful and popular, but it would be best if users could choose what apps they want to install. Shoving apps down users' throats is often frowned-upon, even if they're high-profile apps.
Microsoft generally stays away from bloatware, at least when compared to others, but its partners nonetheless choose to preinstall applications. TripAdvisor joins the party in a big fashion, as the app will come preinstalled on Windows 10 PCs, tablets and smartphones later this year.
"The TripAdvisor app for Windows 10 will be available in 47 markets and will be pre-loaded on millions of Windows 10 compatible devices in 2016," TripAdvisor recently announced.
Microsoft is not the one actually preinstalling the TripAdvisor app on Windows 10 devices, its partner OEMs are. Nevertheless, Microsoft is continuing its aggressive Windows 10 push that's already starting to get on users' nerves, and preinstalled apps may not help its case. Windows 10 is already considered too intrusive, especially when it comes to upgrade prompts.
The infamous "Get Windows 10" notification on Windows 7 and Windows 8 machines was so relentless that various solutions surfaced to counter it, but Microsoft didn't back down. On the contrary, the company resorted to some nasty scheming.
Back in December 2015, Tech Times reported that Microsoft was sneakily messing with some settings so it could constantly push notifications to upgrade to Windows 10. That matter followed another controversial move from Microsoft, when it pushed a Windows 10 update that reset some users' privacy settings.
Moreover, Microsoft recently cut Windows 8 support and will soon make the Windows 10 upgrade a "Recommended" Windows Update, which means that it will install automatically on machines running Windows 7 or 8 that have default settings in place.
In other words, Windows 10 will soon install automatically on devices with default settings, and TripAdvisor will catch a ride on Windows 10's back, preinstalled. Some users may not want either, but may get both.
Overall, Windows 10 has stirred quite a great deal of controversy so far, and most of it is related to Microsoft's aggressiveness to promote the OS. Having preinstalled apps such as TripAdvisor and others might make matters worse, as it can also be seen as an aggressive practice.
