

It is possible to create your own Recovery Media on most computers. That said, it is highly recommended to create a set of Recovery Discs.

The thing is, you didn't ask for these things to be on your computer and it's invasive to have it pushed on you. These programs could be software trials (commonly for things like antivirus) or manufacturer suites that apparently help get the best out of your system. Little things like a branded wallpaper can occur, but often you'll also find that some less useful programs have been pre-installed. Often it's done more for the benefit of the manufacturer than the consumer.

Sometimes this is done to make it more convenient for the user, like having all relevant drivers installed, but you can get these through Windows Update anyway. This is because most manufacturers will install or customize the system in a particular way. Despite running Windows, the installation isn't exactly the same as if you had built the computer and installed the operating system yourself.

The first time you booted up your new pre-built computer, you entered a system with factory settings. You'd be forgiven for thinking that returning your computer to factory settings is an entirely clean slate. It's the state that your computer was in when it left the factory. "Factory settings" are exactly what they imply.
