Some of the pre-installed software on OEM computers is a "free" version of what might be an actual commercial product. For example, most Roxio and Sonic items (Roxio is now owned by Sonic BTW) are like this, they will always be "free" for you to use, but may not have as many features as their commercial versions, and/or it is a basic grouping of the products so that you have the "bare necessities" to burn to CD/DVD etc and also have it pre-installed for you so you can use them right away (no need to make sure to have an Internet Connection and Download anything - which can be done later by you and you can remove the OEM software then of course...

Also, other than the versions being more limited or not as complete, Roxio's Easy Media Creator line is made up of a few different programs - I think - but you might not have all aspects of that program in the "easy media creator" that might be installed on your system. Also to note, for the Easy Media Creator from Roxio/Sonic, there is a group of applications put together with this among other apps, I think (about 35 or so programs in total?) which is called "Easy Media Creator 9 Suite" with the "suite" part sometimes being left off and just referred to as EMC 9). I have never been too clear whether the EMC line (7, 8, 9 etc) has always been a certain grouping of apps and just slowly had new stuff added to it with each version, or if they actually do have an "EMC 9" and a separate "EMC 9 Suite" available, but I am getting OT with this...

Also, the OEM apps could be old versions like version 4 or 5 while the newest commercial product might be up to version 8 or 9 etc, which means you might have a more Full Version of the app but it is a couple years old hence the reason they install it for free...

Some of the OEM software is of course, Trialware or Shareware, where it is basically a demo version for use for a certain amount of time (time of use and amount of function of application for demo will vary for each program usually). These are installed so you can test them out and if you actually use them alot, when the trial ends, you feel pressured into purchasing a "key" to register it as you obviously like it. Never at any point should a trial/demo need you to enter in any money info to use it (it's not like trying a 30 day demo of Napter or the like), and so you are free to use it and enjoy it as much as you like until it ends... When it is over, it will either uninstall automatically, or you can manually do it yourself.

Also, some Demo versions (for things like WordPerfect maybe) that are pre-installed, usually are not activated until you go to use it for the first time, so if you leave it on your system and a year later realize you want to use that type of program for a few times within a month or so, you can just start it up and should be able to enjoy your trial period at a later date.

PS, Media Center is great, if you like using media player, you shouldn't mind the features of Media Center (I am not totally sure, but I think that the MC player is just based off of the Windows Media Player itself - if not a separate application, then acting as a "plug-in" of sorts to media player possibly?). Go and explore Media Center for a bit, you don't have to keep using it, you can change the settings for it to start with windows or not -I don't and only open it when I want to use it- and you can always use other applications instead of and as your "defaults" to the Media Center items...

I think it depends on what you personally purchased from Dell. Sometimes if you are buying a configuration that they have set up for a certain price (which you can still go and upgrade items but not usually downgrade from those specs list, you might be buying a system that already has some "commercial software" thrown in to it (with extra price added on so you really are buying it), or sometimes it is just an automatic "Trial/Demo" version that is Pre-Installed (and maybe a CD shipped for it as well for a re-install).

If you did not click any box to add software to your purchase at time of sale, then it is Demo or "free" version. MS Works sounds like it might be a Paid Software or the Trial/demo-ware that came with your specific system type (as dimensions are different than XPS systems, and all model version #'s vary as well, some systems might be shipped with different software than another Dell model/version #... Also, the time period you bought it may have an affect on what you got. Both our latest Dell systems (Dimension 1100/B110 Desktop New and XPS m140 Laptop Refurbished) came with Trials of WordPerfect 12 (laptop bought in May 2006 and desktop in June 2006). Now I registered them and while they were supposed to be Trial versions (certain number of days, 90 I think), I am not sure if this is for 90 of actual USE or what. I never use it on either computer really, but they are well past their 90 day trial and still seem to run when I accidentally open something up with it... I also have cds for each computer (the WordPerfect 12 Re-Intall discs) which have the key codes on them which seems silly for a time specific trial version compared to a free but limited interaction/usage of program version (if that makes sense). Also, when I registered them, I got a chance to download Free Templates for the application, which I don't see why they would offer them to a trial user at all. maybe they are just weird, maybe they just want you to use it and get free stuff for it, and then when the trial is over (but you still have your free templates etc) you have even more reason to actually purchase the application for future use.

As for MS Works again, are you sure you don't mean "MS Word" instead? That may be part of Windows XP in general or part of the Professional Version (which is what MCE 2005 is based on, with just a few networking business aspects taken out and the MCE "Package" added on really). I am not too sure as I never use it myself, I don't do much "writing" on a computer much outside of a Web Browser or the nice and simple (and basic) Notepad application. Someone else should be able to tell you, though you can check for yourself too.

You said you have been using it, so that means you have it installed at least for a bit. Open the application, find the top menu bar and the "help" pulldown menu option. Under here you should always see (for almost any application) the "About Whatever Program" option which tells you more about that specific program, stuff like the Version Number of the Installed copy (useful to see if you have the latest version compared to what the official website says without having to use a "check for updates" process, or if version number is just needed in general) plus, who owns (the rights to) the application (copyright usually), and/or who created it. It may also have Support info listed here, and possibly tell you if it is a "registered" version/copy and if so, Name of person that Registered it (and maybe name of computer it is on/registered to). If it is a demo or Trialware, also named Shareware, then it may say so and show you a countdown of the time left (how many days) etc. With this, a possible link to "Register it" if not needed to do so for part of the trial (which means purchasing a keycode and just entering it in) or a "Buy Now" link. Sometimes this info won't be under the same heading as the About Program, but should still be under the "Help" category listing in the menu bar at the top of the application's window.

Hope this helps some, and I understand where you are coming from. I was away from PCs or any computers at all for the most part for about 7 years, but I grew up using them since I was 4 years old. The last one (newest at that time) was Windows 95 which I never really liked, I had been more used to DOS and Windows 3.1 as well, and still kept to those 2 more than Win 95 when I could... Then I got thrown back in with Windows XP (Professional version) a couple years back. What a difference.