WIn 7/recovery partition Lenovo

[Ukiii]

Hi All,
Just started a new job where I am required to do quite a lot of IT related work. I have been wondering if there is a quick way of installing Win 7 with all necessary updates onto Lenovo work-station (which has recovery partition), should a situation occur where the PC need to be re-set to factory settings. I have a feeling that an image after clean install and downloading all updates would be handy, however there are few technicalities that I have problems with:

1. Where should I save the image of the OS? (should I create a separate partition where the image would be placed, since the recovery partition isn't probably big enough to save into, and I could have problems accessing it)

2 Would there be another, simpler/quicker way of installing fresh OS with all necessary updates (+SP1) onto the machine without deleting/accessing/modifying recovery partition?

I spent quite a lot of time re-setting few machines, since the broadband is pretty bad in my work-place, and downloading all updates, and SP! took a lot of time.

Please note that I do not want to use USB sticks, or disks. The hard drive would be the optimal choice for me here.

Any help with the above would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

PS. Let me know if more info is needed.

 

[Gator]

Will you only be managing one PC for this issue or do you have a network of computers that could possibly need to be reimaged?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

1. Where should I save the image of the OS? (should I create a separate partition where the image would be placed, since the recovery partition isn't probably big enough to save into, and I could have problems accessing it)

Save the image anywhere it's convenient for you. It's just another file.

The only restriction is that it can't be saved on any partition contained within the image and ideally it should be saved on a separate hard drive, not just a separate partition.

I'd avoid saving in a recovery partition; those things are best left as is.

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?



You can order Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from your OEM manufacturer's website.
You can Order Lenovo Recovery Disks from here:
Lenovo Support - Home (US)
Click on Parts & Accessories.
or
https://www.lenovorecovery.com/Extranet/Home.aspx

 

[gregrocker]

The factory preinstalled Win7 is the worst possible install one can have, larded with bloatware and duplicate factory utilties which interfere with better versions built into the OS. For this reason most tech enthusiasts prefer to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Once you've set up a perfect install on a wiped HD, you can save a backup image externally, then reapply that image in about 20 minutes from the booted Win7 installation media or System Repair Disk.

If you want to generalize an image to restore any hardware this can be done after its set up but before the image is made using SysPrep to move HD to another computer.