One thing we hate about buying a new Windows-based computer is all the "bloatware" that comes with it. PC makers lower the cost of their computers by including trialware software from software makers, most likely security software and productivity software. Most users won't want any of this software because it expires after a short period of time or it is software they simply don't need. Microsoft is selling in its new retail and online stores that do not contain any of this bloatware.

Bloatware is bad, very bad, mostly because it slows down a brand new computer and becomes a big pain to the user because they have to go through the motions of removing all this unnecessary software from their brand new computer. Microsoft is taking a stand on this situation that has plagued PC buyers for years now by selling "Signature PCs" in its new retail stores and its online store as well. These PCs come customized with Microsoft's "Signature Experience", which means it will come with only a select amount of software pre-installed on the system.

The software installed includes:

• Internet Explorer 8 with Bing as default search engine
• Microsoft Security Essentials (Read our full review)
• Zune 4.0 Jukebox software
• Windows Live Essentials (Mail, Photo Gallery, Writer, Messenger, Movie Maker)
• Bing 3D Mapping Software
• Adobe Flash & Acrobat Reader
• Microsoft Silverlight

These signature PCs are being sold at Microsoft's two new retail stores in Scottsdale, AZ and Mission Viejo, CA as well as the online Microsoft Store. Microsoft's goal of these signature PCs is to provide users with a streamlined experience and "a PC that is ready to run". Furthermore, at its retail store locations, Microsoft is letting user customize their new computer by allowing them to pre-install any other software they want, even competing software like Apple iTunes, and they can also change the default Web browser and search engine, all before leaving the store.

Microsoft also says anyone with an existing PC that wants to have Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft's free security software, installed on their computer can just bring it into one of the two above retail locations and they will install it for free while you wait.