Reinstalling Windows without taking forever like in XP

[pintree3]

I just reinstalled Windows for my sister based on info here whereby you go to a Microsoft page to download an ISO file. Though this claims to be recent, with updates included, it isn't and far from it.
There is somewhere on the same page where you can actually download and include other updates but I had 2 problems with this. -1- I wasn't too clear as to how exactly to do this AND more importantly -2- I had no clue as to what to include since the page had a whole bunch of ''(KB123456)'' type of files.
What am I supposed to do link to every one , read what it is all about and then see if I need it or not? This seems to be to take as long if not more than actually making Windows do the updating on its own.

Anyhow I remember back in the XP days there was a way to add all updates to an ISO by first creating an image or something from the original CD. It actually had a name and may have included some other download or software or something. I think many of you know what I am talking about.
Anyhow, reinstalling Windows on my sister's PC took forever and I do not what my doing so again taking that long. Actually, if it is at all possible, ideally, I would also like the re-installation to immediately follow up with other installations of say Office (Which I also have the original CD.)
Anyhow, does the XP thing exist or something similar or....?
Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

You can update the ISO provided in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 from here: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/282232-test-update-7-installation-media.html

 

[Ztruker]

Get everything installed then do an image backup using Macrium Reflect Free. Then as needed, recovery is 20 to 30 minutes and puts you right back where you were when the image was created.

All that's needed is an external hard drive or USB flash drive that is big enough to hold the image.

Beats the heck out of starting over from scratch.

 

[AddRAM]

How To Create a Customized Windows 7 Installation Disc With Integrated Updates

How to build a slipstream Windows 7 install disc | News | TechRadar

How to Speed Up Windows 7 Installs With Slipstreaming and USB | PCWorld

 

[pintree3]

You can update the ISO provided in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 from here: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/282232-test-update-7-installation-media.html

Thanks gregrocker as usual. Your 1st link is 'heidoc.net' which I was referring to and isn't complete. That is where I got my sister's download from. As to your 2nd link. It still seems like a trial, with some people who tried it having problems. This suggests I may run into problems as well and no, I would want to do so as cleanly and error-free as a normal install. I will think about it though and look into it a little further.

 

[pintree3]

Get everything installed then do an image backup using Macrium Reflect Free. Then as needed, recovery is 20 to 30 minutes and puts you right back where you were when the image was created.
All that's needed is an external hard drive or USB flash drive that is big enough to hold the image.
Beats the heck out of starting over from scratch.

Not sure what you mean by ''get everything installed' and then do an image back up. What is 'everything'?
I mean everything is already installed so to speak and in doing a fresh reinstall, whatever is installed would be gone so if you mean do an image backup of all that is installed and then using that image, then that wouldn't be a fresh re-install, would it? Hence my not understanding, sorry.
I am not doing a reinstall because something is wrong on my PC. I am just doing so because over time many things have been updated or installed and uninstalled etc. etc. So basically I'd like to make it clean again with what I have concluded I needed and nothing else.

 

[AddRAM]

Well that`s what Rich means, get everything perfect and how you want it (fully updated and all your software installed) and make an image.

That`s great for a single machine, but.......

that`s totally different from what you want.

 

[gregrocker]

Even after spending half a day updating the ISO from Update 7 installation media - Windows 7 Help Forums yesterday, I still had 32 updates to install since Septembers latest update. It also takes quite awhile now with so many, so it's really only practical for someone who installs a lot and wants to spend the 2-3 hours now to save 2-3 hours on each install.

A better option for most may be what Rich said: Install and update the OS including all drivers, then install your programs and customize it the way you want. Once it's up and running best, capture a backup image that you can use in place of any future installs.

Other tips and tools to get and keep a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 same for retail.

 

[Ztruker]

Thanks Greg, that is exactly what I meant.