People visiting Microsoft's new store in Scottsdale, Ariz., have started noticing something interesting, apart from its shameless similarities to Apple's retail outlets. The computers on display in the Microsoft Store come without any run-of-the-mill "crapware" -- the derisive term used for generic trial software and other unwanted programs that commonly clog new PCs when they're shipped by computer makers.

Under a new initiative called "Microsoft Signature PCs," the company has removed those programs from the computers it's selling and loaded them instead with full versions of its own Windows Live software and services, plus programs such as Silverlight, the Zune software, and Adobe's widely used online technologies.

It's an interesting move by Microsoft on multiple levels.

Most notably, it's a sign that Microsoft is asserting itself more aggressively into the PC distribution process, trying to ensure a quality experience for people who buy Windows PCs. Although the company has a relatively limited physical retail presence for now (the Scottsdale store will be followed by one in Mission Viejo, Calif.), the company is also offering the Signature PCs via the online Microsoft Store.

Microsoft hasn't made a big deal of the "Signature PCs" but the initiative was described by Jared Marino, who identifies himself as a product advisor for the Mission Viejo store, in a comment on a blog post by a Microsoft employee, Tim Heuer, about his experience visiting the Scottsdale Fashion Square location.

Apple has long had an advantage over Microsoft because of its ability to control the end-to-end computing experience, from hardware to software to the retail store. Of course, the vast majority of Windows PCs will continue to be sold through traditional retail stores and direct from PC makers, so the biggest potential for Microsoft's "Signature PC" initiative is to lead by example.

Of course, all of this is assuming that PC buyers actually want the Windows Live software and services and don't lump them into the category of crapware -- which is open to debate.

According to descriptions on the online Microsoft Store, the programs that come on Microsoft Signature PCs include Microsoft Security Essentials, Silverlight, Bing 3D Maps, Zune 4.0, and the slate of Windows Live Essentials programs, including Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Photo Gallery and several others, in addition to Adobe Flash and Adobe Reader.

Microsoft has fashioned "Signature PCs" out of machines from a variety of PC makers, including Sony, HP, Dell, Acer and Lenovo.

Apart from the Microsoft Signature PC initiative, the company has specifically decided to exclude Windows Live programs from raw copies of Windows 7 to head off antitrust concerns. But that apparently doesn't prevent Microsoft from adding them back on to the PCs it's now selling in its new role as a retailer.

Bottom line, for better or worse, the Microsoft Signature PCs represent the best Windows experience the company can muster here in late 2009 -- configured to its own specifications, with all its latest software and no excuses about PC makers or retailers mucking things up.

Will they pass the test? If anyone buys one, we'd love to hear.