VAIO Improvement
What is VAIO Improvement?
The VAIO Improvement program is pre-installed with various VAIO laptop models. It will re-theme various components of Windows to include Sony VAIO themes including screensavers, wallpapers and style and colors for menues, etc.. It also includes a number of tools and utilities with the PC to 'enhance' the user's experience including the Control Center, and updater, on-screen keyboard and hotkey utilities and more.
Overview
It is typically pre-installed with most new Sony computers. The most common release is 1.0.0.14150, with over 98% of all installations currently using this version. During setup, the program registers itself to launch on boot through a Windows Schedule Task in order to automatically start-up. A scheduled task is added to Windows Task Scheduler in order to launch the program at various scheduled times (the schedule varies depending on the version). The primary executable is named viuploader.exe. The setup package generally installs about 7 files and is usually about 3.94 MB (4,135,495 bytes).
This program is pre-installed on the PC
Pre-installed software such as this is usually included by default on the manufacturer's PC. Many OEM (original equipment manufacture) software that is included with a new PC is useful and in many cases required for the PC to function properly as in the case of various software drivers. However, some pre-installed software is optional and can be safely removed.
Some users and experts alike have reported that this program is considered bloatware or bundleware. Such software is optional and can be safely removed if you do not utilize the features of the progam.
Sony has been criticized for loading its VAIO laptops with bloatware, or ineffective and unrequested software that supposedly allows the user to immediately use the laptop for multimedia purposes. Sony also offers a Fresh start option in some countries which allows a new computer to be shipped only with a basic Windows operating system and very little trial software pre-installed.
- It is usually licensed for use only on the Sony PC on which it was pre-installed.
- It sometimes difficult for users to remove via the 'Uninstall a Program' feature in Windows.
Program details
URL: esupport.sony.com
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Improvement
Uninstaller: "C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{3A26D9BD-0F73-432D-B522-2BA18138F7EF}\setup.exe" -runfromtemp -l0x0009 -removeonly
Estimated size: 3.94 MB
Language: Portuguese (Brazil)
Files installed by VAIO Improvement
| Program executable: | viuploader.exe |
| Name: | VAIO Improvement |
| viuploader |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\sony\vaio improvement\viuploader.exe |
| MD5: | a34939f4f79e9b0d154b875bf3594486 |
Additional files:
-
InstallerWrapper.dll - VAIO Improvement (InstallerWrapper)
-
viaggregator.dll - viaggregator
-
vidam.dll - vidam
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vim.exe
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vinet.dll - vinet
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vireg.exe - vireg
Behaviors exhibited
3 Scheduled Tasks
- vireg.exe is scheduled as a task named 'VAIOImprovementRegister' (runs on boot).
- vim.exe is scheduled as a task named 'VAIOImprovementMonitorSystem' (runs on boot).
- viuploader.exe is scheduled as a task named 'VAIOImprovementUploader' (runs on boot).
3 Scheduled Tasks (Boot/Login)
- vireg.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named VAIOImprovementRegister.
- vim.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named VAIOImprovementMonitorUser.
- viuploader.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named VAIOImprovementUploader.
Startup File (User Run Once)
- vim.exe is loaded once in the current user (HKCU) registry as a startup file name 'Application Restart #1' which loads as C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Improvement\vim.exe -User /RestartByRestartManageC:D8EA8044-ABCC-47d7-A676-78E46EEFBCCD /RestartByRestartManageC:0D1A4ECE-E967-4a7e-AD7B-7AFEF59C3862 /RestartByRestartManage.
Resource utilization averages
Show technical details
| vim.exe |
| Memory: | 3.66 MB | |
| Total CPU: | 0.0009054152% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.00062354% | |
| User CPU: | 0.00028187% | |
| CPU cycles/sec: | 10,772 | |
| I/O reads/min: | 2 Bytes | |
| I/O writes/min: | 24 Bytes | |
How do I remove VAIO Improvement?
You can uninstall VAIO Improvement from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
- On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
- Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
- When you find the program VAIO Improvement, click it, and then do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
- Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
- Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove VAIO Improvement.
PC BRAND OF CHOICE
100%
Sony
|
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OS VERSIONS
Win 10 64%
Win 7 (SP1) 0%
|
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HOW IT STARTS
Scheduled task? Yes
(Runs on Windows boot)
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 10 |
63.73% |
|
| Windows 7 |
36.25% |
|
| Windows XP |
0.03% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
25.75% |
|
| Windows 8.1 |
24.07% |
|
| Windows 8 |
11.14% |
|
| Windows 10 Home |
9.44% |
|
| Windows 8.1 Single Langua... |
5.87% |
|
| Windows 7 Home Basic |
5.52% |
|
Geography
21.07% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
21.07% |
| United Kingdom |
8.66% |
| Italy |
8.28% |
| Germany |
7.80% |
| India |
5.03% |
| France |
4.67% |
| Brazil |
4.23% |
| Canada |
3.09% |
| Spain |
2.36% |
| Mexico |
2.03% |
| Netherlands |
1.96% |
| Belgium |
1.88% |
| Japan |
1.73% |
| Australia |
1.71% |
About Sony
Sony is a leading manufacturer of electronics products for the consumer markets and is the electronics business unit and the parent company of the Sony Group.
Publisher URL: www.sony.com