我们的一些读者向我们询问了Microsoft 签名(Microsoft Signature)：它是什么？是什么让它特别？它要多少钱？我在哪里可以买到呢？在本文中，我想回答这些问题并提供有关Microsoft 签名(Microsoft Signature)的完整信息。如果您想了解更多关于它的信息，请不要犹豫，阅读这篇文章。
什么是微软签名？
Microsoft Signature代表了Microsoft的愿景，即在将 Windows 计算机出售给客户之前，零售商和 PC 制造商应如何安装和设置它们。
这是什么意思？零软件(Zero software)膨胀、出色的性能和您需要的基础知识，开箱即用。
下面的短视频总结了这一愿景。
既然“愿景”已经清晰，那么我们来了解一下微软签名(Microsoft Signature)的技术细节。
与(Different vs)其他计算机有什么不同？
首先，(First)软件膨胀(software bloat)少了很多。您不会看到在您的计算机上安装任何试用版、演示版或商业软件。这转化为许多优点：
- 首次设置(time setup)应在 5 分钟内完成，而不是 15 分钟或更长时间。
- 没有快捷方式的干净桌面。
- 睡眠速度快 23.1%。
- Windows 启动(Windows startup)速度提高了39.6 % faster。
- 从睡眠中恢复的速度提高了 51.3%。
这些数字看起来好得令人难以置信，但独立分析也证实了它们：The Crapware Con。此外，根据我的经验，消除 PC 制造商提供的所有臃肿对于拥有快速系统(speedy system)和积极的计算体验(computing experience)会产生巨大的影响。
除了消除所有膨胀之外，Microsoft Signature还提供以下功能：
- 为您的计算机组件安装了所有适当的驱动程序。
- 最新版本的Internet Explorer。
- Microsoft Zune 软件。
- 组成Windows Live Essentials 软件包(Windows Live Essentials package)的主要工具：Windows Live Movie Maker、Windows Live Messenger、Windows Live Writer、Windows Live Photo Gallery、Windows Live Mail、Windows Live Family Safety 和 Microsoft Silverlight(Windows Live Family Safety and Microsoft Silverlight)。
- Windows Media Center 和 PlayReady PC 运行时(Media Center and PlayReady PC Runtime)。PlayReady PC Runtime用于加密优质电视内容或播放(TV content or playing)受保护的内容。
- Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft的免费防病毒解决方案(antivirus solution)。
- (Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player)用于Internet Explorer的(Internet Explorer)Adobe Acrobat Reader 和 Adobe Flash Player。
- Signature Theme Pack让您的桌面更漂亮(desktop pretty)。
更多技术细节可在此处找到：Microsoft Signature - Under the hood。
真的没有膨胀吗？
查看上面的技术规格，您会不禁注意到微软(Microsoft)正在推广其产品（不足为奇），并且安装的某些软件可能被视为臃肿，这取决于您使用计算机的方式。
例如，Microsoft Zune软件在启动时运行，它仅对拥有其他Microsoft设备（如Zune 播放器(Zune player)或Windows Phone ）的人有用。如果您不使用此类设备，最好删除Microsoft Zune。要了解有关此工具的更多信息，请阅读其Wikipedia 页面(Wikipedia page)：Zune Software。
Windows Live Essentials包对大多数用户都很有用，但它确实包含您可能不会使用的工具。例如，如果您不是博主，则不需要Windows Live Writer。或者，如果您的孩子无法访问您的计算机，您将不需要Windows Live 家庭安全(Windows Live Family Safety)。因此，最好配置Windows Live Essentials程序包并仅保留您打算使用的程序。
此外，仅当您计划录制直播电视时， Windows Media Center才会对您有用。否则，您可能更喜欢其他媒体播放器。
总而言之，几乎没有膨胀，其影响也很小，尤其是与 PC 制造商倾向于捆绑在他们销售的计算机上的产品相比。Microsoft Signature提供的大多数工具实际上都很有用，不会对您的计算机性能产生负面影响。
它要多少钱？
如果您直接从Microsoft购买计算机， (Microsoft)Microsoft Signature的费用为零。您只需支付计算机的价格。
如果您从其他商店购买计算机，您可以将其带到Microsoft 商店(Microsoft shop)，然后将其转换为Microsoft Signature计算机。该程序的价格为 99 美元。
在哪里购买Microsoft 签名计算机(Microsoft Signature Computers)？
Microsoft Signature计算机可以直接从Microsoft购买。您可以通过Microsoft Store或Microsoft的实体店在线订购。可以在此处找到位置列表：Microsoft Stores。
不幸的是，Microsoft Signature仅在美国可用，Microsoft(US and Microsoft)尚未公开任何将该计划扩展到其他国家/地区的计划。
Simple Questions: What is Microsoft Signature?
Some of our readers have asked us about Microsoft Signature: What is it? What makes it special? How much does it cost? Where can I buy it? In this article I would like to answer these questions and provide complete information about Microsoft Signature. If you are curious to learn more about it, don't hesitate to read this article.
What is Microsoft Signature?
Microsoft Signature represents Microsoft's vision of how Windows computers should be installed and setup by retailers and PC makers, prior to selling them to customers.
What does this mean? Zero software bloat, great performance and the basics you need, delivered out of the box.
The vision is summarized in the short video below.
Now that the "vision" is clear, let's learn the technical details of Microsoft Signature.
What's Different vs Other Computers?
First of all, there a lot less software bloat. You won't see any trial, demo or commercial software installed on your computer. This translates into lots of advantages:
- The first time setup should be done in up to 5 minutes instead of 15 minutes or more.
- A clean desktop with no shortcuts.
- Sleep is 23.1% faster.
- The Windows startup is 39.6% faster.
- Resume from sleep is 51.3% faster.
These numbers do look too good to be true but they are also confirmed by this independent analysis: The Crapware Con. Also, from my experience, removing all the bloat delivered by PC makers makes a huge difference in having a speedy system and a positive computing experience.
On top of removing all bloat, Microsoft Signature provides also the following:
- All the appropriate drivers installed for the components of your computer.
- The latest version of Internet Explorer.
- The Microsoft Zune software.
- The main tools that make up the Windows Live Essentials package: Windows Live Movie Maker, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Writer, Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Family Safety and Microsoft Silverlight.
- Windows Media Center and PlayReady PC Runtime. PlayReady PC Runtime is used for encrypting premium TV content or playing protected content.
- Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft's free antivirus solution.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player for Internet Explorer.
- Signature Theme Pack to make your desktop pretty.
More technical details can be found here: Microsoft Signature - Under the hood.
Is There Really No Bloat?
Looking at the technical specifications above, you can't help but notice that Microsoft is promoting its products (not surprisingly) and that some of the software installed can be considered as bloat, depending on how you use your computer.
For example, the Microsoft Zune software runs at startup and it is useful only to people owning other Microsoft devices such as the Zune player or a Windows Phone. If you don't use such devices, you are better off removing Microsoft Zune. To learn more about this tool, read its Wikipedia page: Zune Software.
The Windows Live Essentials package is useful for most users but it does contain tools you might not use. For example, if you are not a blogger, you won't be needing Windows Live Writer. Or, if your children don't access your computer, you won't be needing Windows Live Family Safety. Therefore, it is best to configure the Windows Live Essentials package and keep only the programs you intend to use.
Also, Windows Media Center will be useful to you only if you plan to record live television. Otherwise, you might prefer other media players.
All-in-all, there is little bloat and its impact is minimal, especially when compared to what PC makers tend to bundle on the computers they sell. Most of the tools provided with Microsoft Signature are actually useful and don't negatively impact the performance of your computer.
How Much Does it Cost?
If you purchase your computer directly from Microsoft, the cost for Microsoft Signature is zero. You pay only the price of the computer.
If you purchase your computer from another shop, you can take it to a Microsoft shop and have it transformed into a Microsoft Signature computer. The price for the procedure is $99.
Where to Buy Microsoft Signature Computers?
Microsoft Signature computers can be purchased directly from Microsoft. You can order them online, via the Microsoft Store or from Microsoft's physical stores. The list of locations can be found here: Microsoft Stores.
Unfortunately, Microsoft Signature is available only in the US and Microsoft has not yet made public any plans of extending this program to other countries.
