Will Clean-Installing My Computer Make It Run Faster?

By the way gregrocker, the reason I was contemplating a clean install is, if you look in the "Default Folder" topic in the General Discussion forum, I accidentally fiddled with a junction folder that IS NOT SUPPOSED to show up to you at all. It showed up to me on my new laptop, and after accidentally messing with it, it destroyed by ability to create new user accounts, and I'm going to first to a "start-up repair" to see if that will do anything (not that i think it will) then a repair install which HOPEFULLY will fix the problem (it seems no one knows that it will) and THEN, my last step is a clean install...and this is why I made this topic, to see if a clean install does have benefits.

And one last thing...I am a little confused. Ok, so there are the manufacturer (Dell) drivers on their website which are the most recent, I understand, but can someone answer me this...how come, after inputting me service tag on their website. I am shown some drivers that DO NOT WORK on my laptop? Like I said before, I THINK it's because I don't have certain Dell specs that, If I DID choose them, I would not have a DIFFERENT service tag, so the drivers (that don't work for my specific computer) are there just in case, but this is just my theory. I thought someone perhaps here knew the answer.

Ok, so there are the OEM drivers (Dell drivers) and the MS drivers are VIA windows updates? That thing I do every couple of hours (lol) because if so...then that's awesome.

Dell has mistakes on their website aplenty. I come across a major one with BIOS updates, drivers, specs, etc. just about every time I do a Dell install.

You can always benefit from a clean install. I suggest you save externally a Win7 backup image of your current install so you can reimage it to the HD in 15 minutes if you want to go back. This way you can use the Win7 installer to format or even deep clean (zero) the HD to have the cleanest possible slate for your fresh install.

I apologize that I still don't know what you mean by "Windows 7 installer"...how does the Windows 7 installer deap clean my HD? Aren't I the only one around who can do that?

And bro, all I'm concerned with right now, is whether or not I am able to gain back all my drivers, and actually ANYTHING back via a clean install from the Windows 7 CD that came with the computer (through, the dell drivers discs OR the drivers on their website, AND windows updates)...that's all I'm concerned with...I keep seeing "Windows 7 installer" mentioned when I've yet to be told what that is exactly, no offense.

THe installer is the Win7 DVD - we call it "installer" because many are also using USB flash stick to install.

It contains a driverstore with tens of thousands of drivers which are reasonably current, although Windows Updates will deliver newer ones in Optional Updates right after install.

If you have a Dell install DVD then it might be modified somewhat, but should still contain the drivers needed for install. After install check optional Windows Updates for a few rounds, then any drivers which are missing in Device Manager can be supplied from Dell's website or your Driver's disk.

Ok, thanks for clarifying that.

By the way, how do I check if I have startup repair on my hard drive? It's on the Windows 7 CD but I can't find that right now.

The tutorial for the star-up repair here said it may be already pre-installed on my hard drive...the option to do a start up repair...

The disk is what I can't find...the windows 7 disk. That's why I asked how do I check if start up repair is already on my hard drive.