Thanks, Philip!

It's a lot easier to just uninstall the bloatware than do the clean install. It will take only a few minutes and will give good results. For removing anti-spyware, you can usually download an uninstall program from the supplier. If you aren't satisfied, you can then do the clean install.

Thanks Kirk

I have found the performance of factory settings to be significantly lower than a clean install in the last few Dell systems I have seen even with the bloatware uninstalled but for all the time it takes to uninstall the bloatware you might as well try.

However there is also the possibility of the bloatware/badly configured factory install interfering with the installation of major updates such as service packs.

KB2871389 was a problem which was a perquisite for Windows 8.1: http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/upgrading-to-windows-8-1-from-windows-8-0-via-the-microsoft-store/windows-8-1-doesnt-show-up-in-the-store-after-kb2871389-is-installed/

KB2919442 was also a problem which was a perquisite for Windows 8.1 Update 1. Microsoft made this update uninstallable which led to multiple issues as shown in this thread:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_update/windows-81-update-1-failing-to-install-with-errors/c3071122-e903-4775-b659-e98784bc786c

I expect similar issues with Windows 8.1 Update 2 which is meant to restore the start menu and make apps as Windows, fixing the main problems with Windows 8.1:

Thanks again Philip.  If I request a "Reinstallation DVD" from:

www.dell.com/recoverymedia

will it have just the operating system and not the bloatware?  Can I just install it and the license will be embedded in the bios?

(Thanks for the great guide, by the way.)

The problem with the online form is that its not specified whether you get a DVD or USB. The dispatch type (although has a dropdown menu) only lists one option as back-up media so you might be better calling Dell Technical Support.

The Reinstallation DVD should be Windows on its own.

The recovery USB likely has the bloatware included, from this screen it looks like the Windows installer is heavily modified by Dell, similar to factory settings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaQr_YtZvYs&feature=player_embedded

I haven't tested an install out with one of these but it looks like Dell backup and Recovery is integrated. Other things might be included such as McAfee and MyDell.

Hey all--here's an update:  I talked to Dell tech support and they're sending me the operating system DVDs.  The tech sd that it will be 8.0 and I'll have to do the free upgrade to 8.1.  He assured me the DVDs would just have the operating system and not the bloatware.  If, however, I wanted to restore it to its original state w bloatware, operating system, etc that I should make my own flash drive w recovery media.  Does anyone foresee a problem with installing 8.0 and doing the upgrade?  Am I simply better off to buy a full version of 8.1 for about $120?  Anyway, thanks again for listening.

Sorry for the late update -- the dell tech sd it wd be win 8, but what actually showed up was 8.1 DVD.  I called and also placed an order through...

Dell Backup and Recovery Media Request Form (For US and CA Only)

www.dell.com/recoverymedia

So, I ended up with two 8.1 disks.