New Lenovo X230 Laptop! Help trim default windows install down please.

DirtyElf · 27 Nov 2012

Hello,

It has been some time since I have been to sevenforums.

I have missed you guys!

I was here almost every hour on the hour back when I built my PC and was installing windows7 for the first time. Now I have a new laptop and I would like some expert advice!

I bought a new, to me, Lenovo X230 Thinkpad recently and it came with windows7 installed. I am a person who enjoys simplicity, uncluttered space, and efficiency. In my desktop, and overall in my OS. Are there any tips, or guidelines for trimming down many of the programs and extraneous applications that come along with nearly every manufacturers' computers today? Should I reinstall a clean version of windows7? Is that possible with only the recovery partition on the laptop?

For example, I don't need 2 battery power applications. Either disable or remove the windows battery manager, or the Lenovo. Things like that.

I would also like to remove and backup the recovery partition from the laptop, but it doesn't have an optical drive. Then I could have more space, and only one partition. Not sure the best way to go about this. I have an external drive that I can backup the partition to.

If you want any more information about the current state of the laptop, just ask! I enjoy conversing and learning from the good people here.

Thanks again guys... glad to be back!

AddRAM · 27 Nov 2012

I would do a clean install.

A clean install has nothing to do with the recovery partition.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Post a shot of disk management and we can advise you.

Ztruker · 27 Nov 2012

See here: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Includes instructions for downloading a legal copy of Windows 7 with SP1 included.

Definitely the best way to go to get rid of all the bloatware OEMs install.

DirtyElf · 27 Nov 2012

disk management screen attached

AddRAM · 28 Nov 2012

1) make a disk image of the entire hard drive, store it on your external.
2) make the windows 7 install disc, whatever version you currently have installed.
3) download your network drivers from the Lenovo website and store on a flashdrive, you may need them.
4) delete all partitions during install and follow the tutorial.

You will then have a fresh CLEAN install on the 119 GB drive.

Ask questions BEFORE you start.

You will have to use an empty 4GB flashdrive to burn the iso to for your installer, as you do not have an optical drive. It`s covered in the tutorial.

gregrocker · 28 Nov 2012

I don't think Factory Recovery will run afterwards so you can delete all partitions during the reinstall. Be sure to make your Recovery disks beforehand so you can restore to Factory Condition if need ever arises, with the suggested backup image as a secondary backup.

DirtyElf · 28 Nov 2012

what is the best way to go about making a recovery disc without an optical drive? can I store the recovery image on an external hdd?

gregrocker · 28 Nov 2012

The best way to store a backup image is on an external HD. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

You can use the Win7 installer flash stick as the boot disk to do System Image Recovery

AddRAM · 28 Nov 2012

DirtyElf said:

what is the best way to go about making a recovery disc without an optical drive? can I store the recovery image on an external hdd?

Didn`t you read my post ?

That`s the first thing I told you to do in step 1 :)

DirtyElf · 30 Nov 2012

i must've missed it, I'm going to tackle this project over the weekend... be on the ready!!