Clean Installs and existing software


  1. trickadee
    Posts : 1
    XP
       New #1

    Clean Installs and existing software


    I have XP and want to upgrade to Windows 7. I know I have to do a clean install- but that means I have to install all my software from scratch again, right?
    That's going to take me days! Mostly because installation disks for a lot of my software is a thing of the past.
    Almost all my software has been downloaded from the net and is either free or activated with product keys- think of the gigs- my monthly dowload limit will be used in 2 hours! And where are those product keys? I'll have to find them!
    So Firefox, iTunes, Quicktime, MSN, Skype, McAffee, Adobe reader, flash player, etc... all need to be downloaded again and installed again- is this correct? If so, I won't upgrade- it's not worth it.
    Any suggestions anyone?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  3. electrotune1200
    Posts : 914
    Windows 8 Pro
       New #2

    I don't think you'll regret upgrading to windows 7. It's well worth the sometimes daunting task of re installs. Just reinstall everything as you need it. Some today, some tomorrow, some next week. Keep all your downloaded drivers, and software on a USB flash drive, or disc for future use if needed. Keep in mind, Windows updates takes care of a good bit of drivers already.

    When you get everything installed, make an image backup of your system on an external hard drive or a set of DVD's. This way whenever you do need to reinstall 7 again, a restore from image procedure will have you up and running again in 10 minutes.

    I hope this in some way persuades you to take that leap. It will be well worth it in the end.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #3

    Use Belarc Advisor to audit all of the software keys off of your HD. It also provides a full hardware and software audit you can print out.

    Download the necessary installers from the Support Downloads webpage for the maker, or by Googling name of device/software.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 

  Related Discussions
I noticed my current 128gb ssd is almost full (os&programs). So i have ordered a new one, the samsung 840 evo 250gb. my question is when I install my dvd copy of 7 pro on the new drive, will the key work even though it is installed on the old ssd?:confused:
I have seen the great tutorial for doing a clean install. In this case I am looking for another tip. My computer is already Win7 with lots of software. Performance has come to a point I want to do a clean install and start all over. The question? The Win7 install should be a piece of cake, but...
Even after two clean installs, Windows 7 still crashes when my computer goes into sleep mode. I used the Windows debugging tool (Windbg) to isolate the cause. The analysis of the minidump file is attached as a pdf file. It shows a driver for the network adapter is causing the problem. I rolled...
Hello, I just did a clean install to Windows 7 64 bit from an existing version of Vista. Then after my updates, I experienced the dreaded BSOD. This is my 3rd time doing a clean install and each time I've had BSOD with different codes. Is it something to do with the update or my system? My hard...
Hi everybody, I am thinking of buying a laptop through dell and get the windows 7 upgrade kit sent at a later date. But I only want to do this if it will allow me a clean install, as I never do in place upgrades for obvious reasons. Does anybody know if Dell upgrade kit allows this? (I...
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 00:53.
Find Us