Windows 7: New laptop - Clean install? Or use some of the bundled software?

I just purchased an Acer TimelineU M5-481TG 6814.

I noticed a lot of bloatware, and started uninstalling what I could tell was useless. There is still 40 or so gigabytes taken up. This seems much larger than just the operating system and a few programs.

I already burned recovery DVDs using Acer eRecovery.

Should I clean install Windows 7? The laptop comes with a 20gb SSD and a 500gb 5400 HDD, and I feel it could run best with the operating system on the SSD and everything else on the HDD. Would it be a hastle to get the laptop to full functionality?

What should I do?

Hello there, dantrue25! Welcome to SF!

Well, *some* windows installations with a little tweaks can go below 20GB so it could fit in the SSD just fine, personally i clean-install windows on every laptop i put my hands to (i'm a PC Tech Guy) because i just can't deal with bloatware and the difference without it is astounding!! Or maybe is a placebo effect LOL

Cheers!

What's on the SSD now? Why did you order a machine with such a small SSD?

You are kind of hamstrung----the 20 GB SSD is too small to be used as an OS drive for long. You might get the install done, but would soon begin crowding the capacity.

But yes, I'd do a clean install if you don't like the status quo--although you may not find it any faster afterwards because you can't use the SSD.

If at all possible, I'd exchange it for a laptop with an SSD of at least 40 GB.

Or even one without an SSD. It just isn't very useful at that ultra-small size.

@ignatzatsonic

Thank you for the reply.

I'm not sure what is on the SSD, and at the moment, I don't have the laptop with me.

I looked up a bit on Windows 7, and now realize that the SSD is too small for the OS (I want it to run compfortably without much work). I am not going to exchange the laptop, but do think I am going to do a clean install.

Is there anything that would work well on the SSD? Something that would increase it's performance?

That SSD is not really for installing Windows 7. It is used by Intel Smart Response Technology as a fast disk cache (like hybrid HDD, but with a lot more cache capacity and faster speeds). I wouldn't install Windows 7 on that partition since some applications are required to be installed in the same partition as Windows, and there is not really enough space for installing applications on that SSD. Just clean install on the HDD with all the drivers in your backup drive. Read about setting up Intel SRT to make sure that the SSD is being used as a disk cache.

Here's a link for setting up Intel SRT: Intel Smart Response Technology Explained | Hardware Secrets

Here are steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

I would only format C before install.