Should you re-install Windows every year?

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  1. Posts : 259
    Windows 7 Panasonic CF F9 (used to have CF F8)
       #1

    Should you re-install Windows every year?


    Hi I am sure I am not alone, but I honestly have my machine on literally 20 hours a day non stop working away. Its my work horse especially since I work online running a business.

    Anyways - I am noticing a few things going a bit wrong like chkdsk.exe not working and a few other issues.

    WOuld you suggest that it is a good thing to re-install a clean version of windows 7 from a previous image you made or is that a waste of time?

    I mean, if my image backup has missing and corrupt registry items then I guess whats the point?

    Thoughts please!

    PS I wouldn't be able to re-build the system I have since there are way too many tweaks and setings to re-do, but I think that I have some issues.....

    Maybe I should re-install the registry?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 914
    Windows 8 Pro
       #2

    I do mine every 6 months. Just to make sure it's clean.

    With your drivers, files, and program installers organised. It's a 2 hour investment every 6 months. And Having a clean image with no updates or programs installed helps.

    Why not?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 16,131
    7 X64
       #3

    Not clear to me what your issues are, but you might consider a repair install

    Repair Install
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 914
    Windows 8 Pro
       #4

    lister said:

    PS I wouldn't be able to re-build the system I have since there are way too many tweaks and setings to re-do

    Maybe I should re-install the registry?

    How much tweaking does Windows 7 really need?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 259
    Windows 7 Panasonic CF F9 (used to have CF F8)
    Thread Starter
       #5

    SIW2 said:
    Not clear to me what your issues are, but you might consider a repair install
    Repair Install

    My issues are that I am noticing a few errors appearing - namely chdesk.exe not working and some programs not installing.

    Maybe I am being extreme - I should just do repair install....

    Thanks
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #6

    When I build any new machine, I load the OS, patch the OS, activate the OS and taken an image. Called it "Vanilla build".

    Then, I put on software and do whatever I normally do with a PC. I take images after that and call it latest backup.

    If i were on a mission of starting out fresh every year, I would use the "vanilla build". It's not really a bad idea in my opinion and if you don't do a ton of mods and know where your data is to back it up, it's pretty simple and keeps the machine running fast.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 259
    Windows 7 Panasonic CF F9 (used to have CF F8)
    Thread Starter
       #7

    electrotune1200 said:
    lister said:

    PS I wouldn't be able to re-build the system I have since there are way too many tweaks and setings to re-do

    Maybe I should re-install the registry?

    How much tweaking does Windows 7 really need?
    My drivers for example took ages to find and install for example
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 687
    Microsoft Windows 10 Professional / Windows 7 Professional
       #8

    pparks1 said:
    When I build any new machine, I load the OS, patch the OS, activate the OS and taken an image. Called it "Vanilla build".

    Then, I put on software and do whatever I normally do with a PC. I take images after that and call it latest backup.

    If i were on a mission of starting out fresh every year, I would use the "vanilla build". It's not really a bad idea in my opinion and if you don't do a ton of mods and know where your data is to back it up, it's pretty simple and keeps the machine running fast.
    Same here, a macrium or whatever software you prefer image with a fresh install and patches, if everything goes wrong, i can go back to ground zero in a couple of minutes.
      My Computer

  9.    #9

    The modern way is not to reinstall, but to reimage using WIn7 built-in drive imaging: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

    Other popular free imaging apps here are Macrium Reflect and Paragon 11, which have a bit more flexibility in what you can save and where you can reimage.

    I save a baseline Win7 Backup image shortly after setup when install is running best in a folder named Baseline, then save normal Backup images regularly so latest programs and changes are included. This way you have the option to go back to Baseline if your most recent image is not close enough to a clean reinstall when reimaged.

    Be aware that Win7 is not tolerant of much tweaking beyond normal System settings. The popular tweaks to speed up XP or Vista are completely unnecessary and will almost always come back to bite you.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,164
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #10

    Maybe your tweaking screwed up Windows 7 over time.
    I only reinstall if I have a catastrophic failure with Windows or the drive it resides on.
    I installed this copy in August of 09 and it runs like a champ, machine runs 24/7 and only gets shut down when I upgrade parts or when we have a power outage lasting more than 5 minutes.
      My Computer


 
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