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Question

Clean Windows Computer

Feb 2, 2015 8:51PM PST

Hello!

I want to buy a desktop computer without OS and separately buy Windows 7 OS installation disk.

But I know that once you installed Windows, it works fast, but with time, especially if you browse the web, it really-really slows down (especially web browsers, but also other programs).

I want to make a setup, so every 2-3 months I re-install Windows completely, so it will always work fast.

I was thinking of the three ways of doing this:

1. Windows built-in backup-restore - does it really restore all programs (like web-browsers) to the original point, so all nasty add-ons will disappear?

2. Once I've installed Windows and all my programs I make a kind of image/clone of the whole disk (to a separate HDD or multiple DVDs) and then when I decide to re-install, I clone my main HDD from that copy.

3. Just format the hard drive and re-install Windows + all programs from the beginning.

What is the best and the easiest option?

P.S. I don't care about my personal files, I will save them separately. All I care is that Windows and all programs will run as fast as they do once the OS is just installed.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: clean
Feb 2, 2015 9:04PM PST

#2 is the easiest. I'd use an external hard disk.

In fact, the next sequence is recommended:
1. Restore image.
2. Do all Windows updates (since you made that image).
3. Update your antivirus and all other programs you updated in the meantime to their latest (and safest) versions.
4. Install all programs you need and that aren't yet on that image.
5. Make a new image.

This, of course, is especially true after you the free update to Windows 10 this fall.

But I've yet to see a system slow down because of using a browser. All that does to your system is to write a few hundred MB's to your cache and a few hundred cookies to your profile. That really makes no difference in speed at all.

Kees

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My Windows 7 Pro rig has run for over 5 years
Feb 2, 2015 9:49PM PST

and I've not experienced any noticeable decrease in performance over that time. With that being said...and if you insist on re-installing every few months...I'd make an initial build with all the current updates, install an AV program, your browser choice and other applications, do a simple MS disk cleanup operation and make a complete image of your hard drive. Store that image in at least two locations with at least one being an external drive that won't be used for anything but backup. Then, on your own schedule, restore that complete image to your hard drive, update as needed and create another image in the same manner as the original. Keep both the original image and the latest image. If you've the HD space, you can keep several images and name them by the date made. I'd not use MS backup but some third party software that's well supported. You choose...free or paid. My guess is that, after a time and if you're not brutally harsh on your PC, you'll find that there's little or no benefit from the practice of re-installing Windows for no other reason than "it's time".

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What!!! reload the OS every 2-3mos.
Feb 3, 2015 12:52AM PST

If you want to do that, then go ahead. the whole idea is NOT reloading the OS as its suppose to be well for a long time. It's far better to maintain the overall install by cleaning unwanted or old stuff now and then. That's part of the user maintenance cycle. If you want to reload the OS<<< go ahead, you maybe better having a cloned HD and swap it out. I have an int. SATA type HD dock slot on the PC which allows ease of swapping HDs and continue to boot from that SATA port. However, if you want speed then get a SSD which will on its own be faster, heck more than one.

https://www.google.com/search?q=SATA+int.+dock&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&imgil=vchR8GNcofgvnM%253A%253Bxi92jpbD2WH-AM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.scsi4me.com%25252Fmanufacturer_icy-dock_int-sata-sata.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=vchR8GNcofgvnM%253A%252Cxi92jpbD2WH-AM%252C_&usg=__GbpNLDd9gtOOeAbV42gphfo2UuQ%3D&biw=1152&bih=632&ved=0CI8BEMo3&ei=jPfQVIywEIznsATY8YHoAQ#imgdii=_&imgrc=vchR8GNcofgvnM%253A%3Bxi92jpbD2WH-AM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.scsi4me.com%252Fimages%252FICY%252520DOCK_MB123SRCK-B.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.scsi4me.com%252Fmanufacturer_icy-dock_int-sata-sata.html%3B900%3B328 <----good luck

OS restore feature is creating "restore points" and keeping one(some date/time) and returning to what it was before the problem began. This does work, but if you have a serious problem it may not always work depending on the problem, like virus or bad drive.

Cloning s/w is different and it only works when wholly swapping the HD out and continuing for bootable use. If you're going to all this trouble then figure on what makes you happy. I suppose multiple HDs is in order and of similar size, etc..

tada -----Willy Happy

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I'm at 2 years on my current work horse.
Feb 3, 2015 1:11AM PST

And can't see that effect. I am using the OS as shipped with the machine and about all I have ever done are the usual scans Grif notes. I was one of the office test crash volunteers for Windows 8 and after we added Classic Shell I can't see going back to 7.

The office has some hundred machines and we rarely reload.
Bob

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Where did you get this idea?
Feb 3, 2015 1:25AM PST

As others have said, we haven't seen this effect on our computers. My laptop is 4 years old, and I've got an old Vista system on a desktop among others, and I haven't seen this effect either. You'd spend your time better if you analyze what's causing this on yours and remedy that. Also remember that when you restore from a clone, you're going to have an ever increasing no. of Windows Updates to install; that can add several hours to your efforts. Get yourself a good browser like Firefox, avoid Internet Explorer when you can, and protect against malware. Get a good antivirus program and something like MalwareBytes, keep them up to date, and avoid web sites you don't know anything about when you can.

Good luck.