Factory OS vs clean install

gozoboy99

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Canada
Hi all... I will be getting a new laptop soon and want it to run as fast as possible. Do you guys recommend doing a clean install with a Win8.1 retail disk or just using the out-of-box factory OS? Since it is a touchscreen laptop, do you think there will be any problems with the touchscreen on a non-factory installed OS? The one i'm looking at is a HP, if it matters. (This one: HP TouchSmart 15.6" Laptop - Black (AMD A8 4555M/1TB HDD/8GB RAM/Windows 8.1) : Laptops - Best Buy Canada)

Is there that much of a difference in start up times / general speed in a clean retail installed system vs a HP factory installed system? (That has of course been de-bloatware-ified and fast startup switched off)

If I choose to stick with the factory install, what procedures would you guys recommend to remove all the HP bloatware? Is stuff like HP CoolSense / 3D Driveguard any use or just bloat?

And if I choose to go clean install via retail disk, what are the procedures to use the 8.1 key that comes with the laptop instead of the key that comes with the disk? That way I can save the key that comes with the disk for later.

Normally I would go clean retail install no questions asked but the dillema here is
1) The touchscreen. I'm not sure if a clean retail install would affect the special touchscreen drivers or not, and I don't see any special drivers on HPs website for the touchscreen, which is where my worry comes from.
2) The fact that there are no official Microsoft download links for the full Win8.1 ISO that I know of. With Windows 7 there was the digital river links but there aren't any like that for Win8.1. If I want a fully clean Win8.1 image that isn't from torrents/other rogue internet sources I need to buy the disk, which i'm prepared to do if a clean install is viable, but it's not as easy as downloading the ISO direct from MS.

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY m6-1158ca
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3632QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000;AMD Radeon HD 7670M
    Browser
    Firefox;Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
Hi gozoboy99,

My advice:

1. First and foremost, make your factory recovery DVD set. That way, you can always revert if needed.

2. Next, try removing the bloatware and see how it runs. If OK, you might want to stay with it "as-is."

3. However, if not, go for the clean install. Now, at least you have a way back (see 1.).


Good luck with your decision.

my2cents
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Don't panic about "bloatware". You may find excess programs slow your start-up (why you would turn off fast start-up is beyond me) but once this is past it will not impact on you unless they are written very badly.

Having extra programs doesn't mean your PC will be slower. If they are not used they will be paged out or just not used. You can install 1000 programs and it will not make a difference if they are not invoked. If you don't like a program then un-install it (if that is a word).

If you don't want it to start automatically at boot time then remove it from your startup (Autoruns for Windows)

If however you like the idea of clean install you can download the ISO http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html and then install all the drivers you may need which is normally fairly painless. Don't imagine that your PC will then run faster because it probably will not.

Follow My2Cents advice first though.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
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    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
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    T7600
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    3
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    Varies
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Also keep in mind that Windows 7 and Windows 8.x will have a period of time to break in (background processes running/configuring)
So the system will seem at time a bit sluggish. Give it at minimum 3 days to sort itself out.
Windows 8 is better about it than 7, but it still does it on a new OS install of any kind.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
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    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
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    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
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    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Hi gozoboy99,

My advice:

1. First and foremost, make your factory recovery DVD set. That way, you can always revert if needed.

2. Next, try removing the bloatware and see how it runs. If OK, you might want to stay with it "as-is."

3. However, if not, go for the clean install. Now, at least you have a way back (see 1.).


Good luck with your decision.

my2cents

Sounds good... I'll probably do it like that. :) Thanks

Don't panic about "bloatware". You may find excess programs slow your start-up (why you would turn off fast start-up is beyond me) but once this is past it will not impact on you unless they are written very badly.

Having extra programs doesn't mean your PC will be slower. If they are not used they will be paged out or just not used. You can install 1000 programs and it will not make a difference if they are not invoked. If you don't like a program then un-install it (if that is a word).

If you don't want it to start automatically at boot time then remove it from your startup (Autoruns for Windows)

If however you like the idea of clean install you can download the ISO http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html and then install all the drivers you may need which is normally fairly painless. Don't imagine that your PC will then run faster because it probably will not.

Follow My2Cents advice first though.

OK Thanks, sounds like having a factory install isn't as "slow" as people make it out to be, just works out to be the same as a clean install once you de-bloatify it and remove the startup items. I was gonna turn Fast Startup off because I heard it had issues with the computer ending up in reboot loops because of a corrupted hyberfile.sys file ?:shock: Is that true or should Fast Startup be OK?
Also keep in mind that Windows 7 and Windows 8.x will have a period of time to break in (background processes running/configuring)
So the system will seem at time a bit sluggish. Give it at minimum 3 days to sort itself out.
Windows 8 is better about it than 7, but it still does it on a new OS install of any kind.

Good insight... Thanks.:cool: My only pending question now is the one about Fast Startup, which is posted above.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY m6-1158ca
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3632QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000;AMD Radeon HD 7670M
    Browser
    Firefox;Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
My only pending question now is the one about Fast Startup

I have been involved with several threads where the OPs have reported that turning off fast startup fixed their specific issues; however, that does not mean that fast startup should be turned off for all. Moreover, since it is such a simple option to turn on or off, why not try it both ways and see how you like each? For the record, I have done just that and my preference is to disable fast startup. Why?... because I had a very small SSD and that 6GBs of free space (returned when also I deleted the hiberfil.sys) was precious at that time. I also noticed that it didn't add that much speed to my boot time either. Specifically, it only boosted mine by about 2-3 seconds. Good luck with your decision.

my2cents
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
My only pending question now is the one about Fast Startup

I have been involved with several threads where the OPs have reported that turning off fast startup fixed their specific issues; however, that does not mean that fast startup should be turned off for all. Moreover, since it is such a simple option to turn on or off, why not try it both ways and see how you like each? For the record, I have done just that and my preference is to disable fast startup. Why?... because I had a very small SSD and that 6GBs of free space (returned when also I deleted the hiberfil.sys) was precious at that time. I also noticed that it didn't add that much speed to my boot time either. Specifically, it only boosted mine by about 2-3 seconds. Good luck with your decision.

my2cents

Ah yeah. I bet it would be faster/more space-friendly on a 1TB HDD. My current laptop has an SSD in it so I have Fast Startup off for the same reasons you do. But i'm gonna keep using this laptop so I won't transfer the SSD into my new one.

Thanks :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY m6-1158ca
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3632QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000;AMD Radeon HD 7670M
    Browser
    Firefox;Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
If you use fast startup your PC doesn't fully shut down. It goes into a hybrid sleep mode. That may actually slowly drain your laptops battery. I say may because I haven't confirmed it myself, just something to keep in mind and have a look at if you decide to use it. The other issue it can cause is access to the BIOS on boot up. I've seen many threads where users could not get into the BIOS on boot up with fast startup enabled. I have an SSD in my laptop and don't use fast startup, I don't see the benefit.

When you get it and log in the first time "do not connect to the internet". If you do all the factory installed Metro Apps will be forever tied to your Microsoft live ID and be shown in the "Your Apps" section of the Windows Store. You might even ant to log in with a local account the first time. Then un install any apps you know you will never use before logging in with your live ID. My "Your Apps" section is littered with all the bloat Apps ASUS pre installed on my laptop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Off Topic

If you don't like a program then un-install it (if that is a word).

I use Wordweb.
Free & easy to use pinned to taskbar.

WordWeb: English dictionary, thesaurus, and word finder software.

screenshot_37.jpg

This is off topic but I thought some might find it useful. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
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    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
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    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
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    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
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    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
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    AMD K140
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    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
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    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
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    Opera 24.0
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    Avast Internet Security
If you use fast startup your PC doesn't fully shut down. It goes into a hybrid sleep mode. That may actually slowly drain your laptops battery. I say may because I haven't confirmed it myself, just something to keep in mind and have a look at if you decide to use it. The other issue it can cause is access to the BIOS on boot up. I've seen many threads where users could not get into the BIOS on boot up with fast startup enabled. I have an SSD in my laptop and don't use fast startup, I don't see the benefit.

When you get it and log in the first time "do not connect to the internet". If you do all the factory installed Metro Apps will be forever tied to your Microsoft live ID and be shown in the "Your Apps" section of the Windows Store. You might even ant to log in with a local account the first time. Then un install any apps you know you will never use before logging in with your live ID. My "Your Apps" section is littered with all the bloat Apps ASUS pre installed on my laptop.

Thanks for that advice. Really helps. I'll do that. :) As for the slow-drain battery, I wouldn't be inclined to agree with you as the fast startup switches the hardware fully off. At least how I understand it, how it works is it closes all your applications and saves the system "shell" to the hyberfile.sys file, sort of a hybrid between hibernation and full shutdown. It then fully switches off the hardware like in hibernate. Meaning you could take the battery out of the laptop and it would boot from the hyberfile.sys like normal. I'll probably use the suggestion of trying with it on first, then if I run into issues switch it off.
If you don't like a program then un-install it (if that is a word).
I use Wordweb.
Free & easy to use pinned to taskbar.

WordWeb: English dictionary, thesaurus, and word finder software.

View attachment 39886

This is off topic but I thought some might find it useful. :)

:D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY m6-1158ca
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3632QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000;AMD Radeon HD 7670M
    Browser
    Firefox;Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
If you use fast startup your PC doesn't fully shut down. It goes into a hybrid sleep mode. That may actually slowly drain your laptops battery. I say may because I haven't confirmed it myself, just something to keep in mind and have a look at if you decide to use it. The other issue it can cause is access to the BIOS on boot up. I've seen many threads where users could not get into the BIOS on boot up with fast startup enabled. I have an SSD in my laptop and don't use fast startup, I don't see the benefit.

When you get it and log in the first time "do not connect to the internet". If you do all the factory installed Metro Apps will be forever tied to your Microsoft live ID and be shown in the "Your Apps" section of the Windows Store. You might even ant to log in with a local account the first time. Then un install any apps you know you will never use before logging in with your live ID. My "Your Apps" section is littered with all the bloat Apps ASUS pre installed on my laptop.

Thanks for that advice. Really helps. I'll do that. :) As for the slow-drain battery, I wouldn't be inclined to agree with you as the fast startup switches the hardware fully off. At least how I understand it, how it works is it closes all your applications and saves the system "shell" to the hyberfile.sys file, sort of a hybrid between hibernation and full shutdown. It then fully switches off the hardware like in hibernate. Meaning you could take the battery out of the laptop and it would boot from the hyberfile.sys like normal. I'll probably use the suggestion of trying with it on first, then if I run into issues switch it off.
If you don't like a program then un-install it (if that is a word).
I use Wordweb.
Free & easy to use pinned to taskbar.

WordWeb: English dictionary, thesaurus, and word finder software.

View attachment 39886

This is off topic but I thought some might find it useful. :)

:D

I'll have to site down some evening and research it some. I disable hibernation from the command prompt as I don't use sleep or hibernation. That also deletes the hyberfile.sys file. I have a SSD so my laptop boots up in about 10 seconds even with fast startup turned off. I know hibernation doesn't drain your battery but I believe sleep will. Fast Startup is a hybrid sleep mode so I'm not sure if it does or not. That's why I mentioned it. Like I said though I guess I should read up on it so I actually know what I'm talking about. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
If you use fast startup your PC doesn't fully shut down. It goes into a hybrid sleep mode. That may actually slowly drain your laptops battery. I say may because I haven't confirmed it myself, just something to keep in mind and have a look at if you decide to use it. The other issue it can cause is access to the BIOS on boot up. I've seen many threads where users could not get into the BIOS on boot up with fast startup enabled. I have an SSD in my laptop and don't use fast startup, I don't see the benefit.

When you get it and log in the first time "do not connect to the internet". If you do all the factory installed Metro Apps will be forever tied to your Microsoft live ID and be shown in the "Your Apps" section of the Windows Store. You might even ant to log in with a local account the first time. Then un install any apps you know you will never use before logging in with your live ID. My "Your Apps" section is littered with all the bloat Apps ASUS pre installed on my laptop.

Thanks for that advice. Really helps. I'll do that. :) As for the slow-drain battery, I wouldn't be inclined to agree with you as the fast startup switches the hardware fully off. At least how I understand it, how it works is it closes all your applications and saves the system "shell" to the hyberfile.sys file, sort of a hybrid between hibernation and full shutdown. It then fully switches off the hardware like in hibernate. Meaning you could take the battery out of the laptop and it would boot from the hyberfile.sys like normal. I'll probably use the suggestion of trying with it on first, then if I run into issues switch it off.
I use Wordweb.
Free & easy to use pinned to taskbar.

WordWeb: English dictionary, thesaurus, and word finder software.

View attachment 39886

This is off topic but I thought some might find it useful. :)

:D

I'll have to site down some evening and research it some. I disable hibernation from the command prompt as I don't use sleep or hibernation. That also deletes the hyberfile.sys file. I have a SSD so my laptop boots up in about 10 seconds even with fast startup turned off. I know hibernation doesn't drain your battery but I believe sleep will. Fast Startup is a hybrid sleep mode so I'm not sure if it does or not. That's why I mentioned it. Like I said though I guess I should read up on it so I actually know what I'm talking about. ;)


I do the same on my current laptop since it has an SSD... And here's a link to get you started on your research ;) How Windows 8 Hybrid Shutdown / Fast Boot feature works - TechRepublic
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY m6-1158ca
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3632QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000;AMD Radeon HD 7670M
    Browser
    Firefox;Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
That was a good read, bookmarked it for reference.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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