Restart your setup and reinstall Windows 11 on a fresh device.
Restart your setup and reinstall Windows 11 on a fresh device.
I installed the new Windows 11 laptop and configured it. Then I switched off S mode and opened Microsoft Edge, which comes with Chrome. In the search bar at the top, you can find links like Amazon booking for password manager. This seems typical since those entries appear in the favorites section. It might be a used device, as the bookmarks were added there. If it’s completely normal, you can reset the computer to factory settings now. The process should take a short time and will erase all data, including any bookmarks or previous configurations. Running a full Windows Defender scan and downloading Malwarebytes is also a good step before wiping.
If the device came with an OEM Windows setup (such as from Acer, HP, etc.), it’s likely already preloaded. I’ve noticed many laptops arriving with extra software installed for marketing purposes—like top-of-the-line preinstalls on some models. This is fairly typical on current laptops and desktops, especially when brands like MCAffee or LastPass offer such promotions. To remove the extra software, simply reinstall Windows. Use a 8GB+ flash drive and the Windows Media Creation utility for Windows 11. Run the setup steps, shut down the laptop, enter the boot menu using the appropriate key (ESC on HP, Enter for Lenovo, F2/F8/F10 usually work), and boot from the flash drive. Follow the prompts to install Windows, choosing “I don’t have a product key” so it activates automatically based on the previous one linked to your system. A fresh Windows 11 installation should be ready quickly. Personally, I usually perform a full format and reinstall when getting a new laptop, but I do this just to avoid all the unnecessary bloat that comes by default.
It's common for HP laptops to have tabs in Microsoft Edge, though they might not be widely recognized. Your worry about usage or security is understandable—malware risk is low with a clean setup. A full format takes time depending on your drive size, but a flash drive should help speed things up. Just follow the steps carefully and avoid any changes during the process.
In fact, I believe so. Probably those bookmarks/favorites are set up in my MS account on Edge, and Microsoft likely made them the default at some point. It's not malware—it's just the standard setup when Windows was installed, possibly using a DSC process.