Want clean install on new HDD

Yes. 3 GB will do a pretty good job. Even 2 GB in most cases.

In terms of once I have the fresh install of Windows 7, what is the best way to update all my drivers and anything else you guys can think of that will need to be done on a clean install on a new hard drive.

Install windows with your product key and let finish the do windows update.
It will search for the newest drivers for your setup..

rob3 said:

Install windows with your product key and let finish the do windows update.
It will search for the newest drivers for your setup..

Sounds easy enough. Anything else needed to know after a clean install?

Get anti-virus going. Set System Restore to utilize as much space as you want. Stay on top of Windows updates. Get some type of backup policy going.

Miskonduct said:

rob3 said:

Install windows with your product key and let finish the do windows update.
It will search for the newest drivers for your setup..

Sounds easy enough. Anything else needed to know after a clean install?

Not much.For normal user.

ignatzatsonic said:

Get anti-virus going. Set System Restore to utilize as much space as you want. Stay on top of Windows updates. Get some type of backup policy going.

Got it.

How would you suggest to set System Restore to utilize space?

Miskonduct said:

How would you suggest to set System Restore to utilize space?

The default amount is quite high and it can eat into your occupied space, so you may want to restrain it. There is a slider in the configuration. You can figure maybe allot 1 GB for each restore point. Something like that. I use about 7 GB, which gives me a couple of weeks worth of restore points.

ignatzatsonic said:

Miskonduct said:

How would you suggest to set System Restore to utilize space?

The default amount is quite high and it can eat into your occupied space, so you may want to restrain it. There is a slider in the configuration. You can figure maybe allot 1 GB for each restore point. Something like that. I use about 7 GB, which gives me a couple of weeks worth of restore points.

I'm looking and can't seem to find where I can adjust the system restore points. I got to control panel>Backup and Restore. Not seeing where I can adjust the allotment.

System Protection - Change Disk Space Usage

I set mine to 15-20% so Restore Points stick around a lot longer. We regularly save systems here using older restore points.