Re-instaling windows? What about the updates?

They have: 5,633 posts

Joined: Jan 1970

Hi everyone,

Just a quick one here.

I want to re-install windows because it is running slow and needs a fresh start but i was just wondering whats actually happens to all the updates that have been installed over time.

Will i lose those and be left with a computer missing vital updates?

Or

Will they automatically be installed when windows is re-installed?

Cheerz people Smiling

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

After you install Windows and you're up and running you'll get the notification of updates like you normally do. They're not included as part of the installation process. There will be a lot of updates to install and it might take a few days to get all the notifications.

pr0gr4mm3r's picture

He has: 1,502 posts

Joined: Sep 2006

I always go straight to the latest service pack - which is service pack 3. Since I reinstall Windows often for work and such, I keep a copy of it on my server. Once the latest service pack is installed, go to windowsupdate.com to get the rest of them.

There will be a lot of updates to install and it might take a few days to get all the notifications.

I would rather install them all manually and get the computer secure (relatively) ASAP.

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Yeah, that makes sense. I only ever install Windows in virtualboxes these days so it doesn't matter that much to me since they're hardly ever running.

decibel.places's picture

He has: 1,494 posts

Joined: Jun 2008

Instead of reinstall try an earlier restore point, much simpler and usually works for me Smiling

Also try out the PC Decrapifier I haven't used it but I read about it in PC World, usually reliable - and it's a Drupal site, gotta love it Wink

(Trying Decrapifier now, seems pretty good and even has option to create restore point first, thoughtful, but might not recover deleted programs, it says so too)

Greg K's picture

He has: 2,145 posts

Joined: Nov 2003

A few hints:

If you do not already have a second drive or another partition, make sure you set one up, even if it is just creating another partition on your drive for keeping your My Docs and other files that are not applications (ie. the main data files that get backed up, not reinstalled). Check how

Once you have set up your system, make a directory on drive D, I have one 0-MyDocs so it lists at the top. Then right click on "My Documents" and choose "Properties" then "MOVE" to the new directory on drive D. This way, any time you have to re-install your OS again, all your docs are on another partition, and do not need over written. (keeps everything sorted nicer too). I use eudora for e-mail, and have it installed on the D drive as well, as that is a program that will run without a re-install (as of the current version today), just recreate a shortcut.

After you have your system reinstalled (OS and your main apps that you know you always will use, not "try me" ones), with all your dirvers and updates (but before anything that requires subscriptions like virus software), get a program that will make an IMAGE of your C: drive or partition, not just backup file. Put that image on your drive D: (there are several programs out there, I'm not going to start a PM over which one to use). Even if you have enough room to keep this image on your D:, set the program to split into into files that will fit on DVDs so you can back up in case drive physically dies.

With that image, depending on the program and how much you have installed, you can have your C: right back to where it is now (when you make it) in 15-30 minutes. Think how long it takes to install windows, all the apps, and all the updates! (Make sure you keep the media (CD or whatever) needed by the imaging software needed to boot your system and restore the image, and to be safe, keep at least 2 of these)

Now next time you need clean up your system, you only need updates and install software since last image. Before restoring the image, copy your "Documents and Settings" folder from drive C over to the D drive (use TerraCopy so it won't stop when it hits a system file in use), you never know what you might need from there. (ie. your bookmarks from Firefox, all the items on your desktop, your profile from Thunderbird for your e-mail)

Yes there is system restore. I still prefer doing this by hand for when you want to start completely from scratch.

-Greg

They have: 5,633 posts

Joined: Jan 1970

Thanks for all the great replies.

Can i also ask...I'm thinking of getting a good MAC computer since i always get told that they are much much more reliable and don't have as many issues.
Would anyone agree with that or is it just a myth?

Whats the positive and negative aspects of owning a MAC computer?

Thanks again peeps

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

I use a Mac at work so I can help a bit with this. I don't know too much about the hardware really. It's nice but I think you can get PC's of the same quality for the same price or less. Now that the Macs have intel chips in them you can run any operating system which removes one of the old downsides.

Some people do like the Mac operating system but I wouldn't go ahead and by a Mac for the OS without trying it out first. There are some very major differences from Windows. I personally don't really like the Mac OS. If I didn't need to run Adobe CS I wouldn't use it at all. By that's my opinion.

I guess this isn't particularly helpful! It depends on whether you're interested in the Mac hardware or the Mac OS. For hardware, like I said, I think you can get just as good quality from other vendors (I'm very happy with my lenovo laptop, for example).

For the OS ... Well, actually, one of the problems with new PC's these days is that they usually come with Vista. So if you're getting a new machine and you don't want to run Vista you might consider Mac. I do find the OS to be rather annoying though (lack of decent file manger, no taskbar, no customizable panels etc.). In terms of reliabilty it's probably better than Windows but I never really had a lot of problems when I was on XP.

Out of the 3 computers I have now between work & home I like my Lenovo laptop with Ubuntu the best. Instead of rushing to get new hardware you could try a live CD and see if Ubuntu works on your hardware.

Greg K's picture

He has: 2,145 posts

Joined: Nov 2003

I always thought macs were more solid than PC's, however in short time i have been at my job, I have surprising seen the mac's crash several times!

I'm not trying to knock them or anything, but was just surprised to see this. They do look fancier though, love the bright display on the one that sits beside me at work, but can't stand their keyboard or mouse the little I used it (they have the really think flat keyboards).

As for playing with a Mac, not sure where you are, but around here, the Best Buys now have a mac section with all of the Mac's out for you to play with. (used to have to go to CompUSA before they shut down around here). So you may want to look into playing with one at the store.

-Greg

Want to join the discussion? Create an account or log in if you already have one. Joining is fast, free and painless! We’ll even whisk you back here when you’ve finished.