Should I Do a Generic Install of Windows 10 after Getting New Laptop?

witsa on 24/11/2019 - 10:01
Last edited 24/11/2019 - 11:19 by 1 other user

I just bought a Lenovo laptop. It's the first Windows computer I've bought in 10+ years - I've been buying Macs where it's all nice and clean.

On the Lenovo, I notice there's things such as McAfee, Spotify, Twitter, games etc. and all sorts of stuff on my computer.

I've heard a lot of Windows manufacturers try to add pre-installed bloatware.

In Windows 10, do I just need to remove them and they're gone, or is there always hidden crap like in the registry and I should do a clean re-install? If clean re-install, how do I actually do that since the laptop doesn't come with a CD drive or any media?

Computing Microsoft Operating System

Comments

  • Hithere on 24/11/2019 - 10:11
    +2

    No need to do a clean install.

    Just download and run The PC Decrapifier

    https://www.pcdecrapifier.com

    • witsa on 24/11/2019 - 10:17
      +1

      that looks like a terrible website for that's supposed to clean your laptop. It's just full of ads

      • Hithere on 24/11/2019 - 11:20
        +3

        Looks like you need to invest in a decent ad blocker such as Adblock Plus then. I don't see any ads.

    • No Username on 24/11/2019 - 20:06

      Why are people negging PC Decrapifier?

  • theHMASfriendship on 24/11/2019 - 10:37

    I did a reinstall. You might need to reinstall some drivers from lenovo but windows should have most of them already.

    • witsa on 24/11/2019 - 10:47

      how did you do the fresh install?

      • Meeb on 24/11/2019 - 10:54

        Download the linux ISO version of Windows 10 and select Clean Install during the setup process. Better still, if you don't care about any of the existing data on the laptop also delete the partitions and do a clean install on a brand new partition.

        • ssquid on 24/11/2019 - 12:34
          +7

          the linux ISO version of Windows 10

          Instructions unclear, installed OS/2.

          • lunchbox99 on 24/11/2019 - 13:53
            -1

            @ssquid: I reckon… what the hell is a linux iso of windows 10. pretty sure they just mean the iso from M$ but for some reason called it a linux iso, lol.

            • Meeb on 24/11/2019 - 16:41
              -1

              @lunchbox99: In case you're still wondering, it's a meme. Downloading Linux ISOs is what people say when they really mean download potentially non-legitimate software via torrent. Pretty sure @ssquid actually got it and also replied with a joke…

              I guess this is a whoosh moment for you.

              • lunchbox99 on 24/11/2019 - 18:50

                @Meeb: Well since you can download the actual iso for free from MS legitimately I'm not sure how the meme is applicable. If you have a licensed copy (from your manufacturer), it will activate. There is no need to do anything illegal.

                • Meeb on 24/11/2019 - 22:49
                  -1

                  @lunchbox99: It was a joke….

                • SlickMick on 25/11/2019 - 14:29

                  @lunchbox99: don't you love jokes that need to be explained, then you get told you have a problem if you still don't think it's funny?

                  :)

          • grog on 25/11/2019 - 11:43

            @ssquid: Thats no good.. DOS 5 its a ripper lovely dosshell

            easy to navigate.

            magic

      • theHMASfriendship on 24/11/2019 - 22:05

        Yes

  • oscargamer on 24/11/2019 - 10:37

    OP - how do you plan to do a generic install, if you don't have the install media?

    Have you read the book that came with the laptop? You'll probably find there is a partition on the HDD that has the OS or some information about how to re-install in case the need arises.

    • witsa on 24/11/2019 - 10:40

      I don't know - that's what I've asking. do I need to download it and put it on a thumb drive or something?

      no book came with the laptop.

      there is a hidden partition but I figured it would be the same image with all the bloatware?

      • oscargamer on 24/11/2019 - 10:42

        If you reinstall using the Lenovo Win 10, you'll be back where you are now.

        Do you have a Win 10 serial? Is it digitally linked to you?

        It sounds like you should just uninstall what you don't want.

        But you should really read about backups and how to reinstall the OS on your laptop. Cos you'll need to at some point.

        • witsa on 24/11/2019 - 10:57

          I just checked and my Win 10 license is linked to my Microsoft account - which is strange actually - because what if I sell the machine? I would've thought the license should be linked to my machine or something.

          Maybe the license is linked to the hidden partition or something?

          • oscargamer on 24/11/2019 - 11:01
            +1

            @witsa: That is good. Then you should be able to download the ISO and do a 'non-lenovo' install. Make sure you install the right Pro/Home/32bit/64bit version.

            As already said, re-partition, format and you'll be good to go.

            Do you have a planned backup location, when it crashes in 18 months with all your data on one physical drive?

            • witsa on 24/11/2019 - 11:09

              @oscargamer: Sounds like I might not even need to do this. Windows has a "fresh start" option. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-use-the-fresh-st…

              might give that a crack.

              Do you need to plan backup still? I thought it's all just backed up automatically to your OneDrive. In any case, google drive is what I'm actually using, so I'll probably use that to move my current files over.

  • Sage on 24/11/2019 - 10:53
    +1

    It's built in to Windows 10 now, but it might still include the bloatware on the "fresh' install.
    Besides using a CD you can use a USB drive.

    Just download media creation tool and use a USB drive to get a clean Win 10 and install it from there.
    You'll format the drive as part of the install process so everthing will be gone. It lets you do all partitions.

    By the way, there's still a bunch of unneeded crap on Windows 10.
    Make sure to be selective with the check boxes and options when installing, some are hidden so you have to scroll down.
    Things like turning off Cortana and information sharing.
    Then after the install your Start menu will have a bunch of bloatware to simply right click and remove. They're mostly shortcuts than actual programs.

    • oscargamer on 24/11/2019 - 10:55

      So long as you have a valid serial

      • Sage on 24/11/2019 - 12:35

        It'll still install without a serial.
        Hopefully OP has a sticker on the bottom of the laptop with a serial.
        Otherwise it can be freely (illegally) patched afterwards anyway.

        Edit: I read OP says "I just checked and my Win 10 license is linked to my Microsoft account" so the license transfer isn't an issue.

      • dotJaz on 24/11/2019 - 18:54

        Someone's stuck in 2015.

      • Rockets84 on 25/11/2019 - 11:41

        The OEM product key will be embedded in the BIOS on the machine. As long as you install the same edition Home or Pro you don't need to do anything with the key.

  • funnysht on 24/11/2019 - 11:13

    i have a lenovo too..it has a separate partition of about a few Gb just for useless crap….my HK friend think it's for China anyway. If you know what you're doing go for it..if not prob just delete/uninstall

    • witsa on 24/11/2019 - 13:40

      i think all computers have a recovery partition in case your computer is stuffed - you can boot from it and re-install the OS. But yeah, if you don't know what you're doing, you can just get rid of it to increase the space you have.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/11/2019 - 12:27

    Download and install.
    Windows 10 is great with drivers, download the wifi/network card one from Lenovo's website prior to just in case but from what I've experienced it will get at least the bare minimum of drivers and run windows updates to get the remainder

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10

  • dotJaz on 24/11/2019 - 18:56

    Zero point to reinstall, just uninstall whatever you don't want. The benefit of having less junk files and a couple of residual registry items is just not worth the effort. Use it for a month from a re-install, it'll be the same.

  • Lawrencep93 on 25/11/2019 - 08:19

    Just use a good uninstaller, the annoying thing about re-installing windows on a brand new laptop is going and getting all the drivers, if you do re-install can be worth while getting all the drivers downloaded on a USB incase your wireless card doesn't work after installation

  • magic8ballgag on 25/11/2019 - 08:34

    You can use the built-in Windows reset function, which can either be use to completely wipe the hard drive (does not retain user profile/data), or just a minimal reset. This may use the recovery partition, which some manufacturers use to preload their own software /drivers etc.

  • Brendoo on 25/11/2019 - 08:40

    Just be careful if you reinstall on your own. If you need to call Lenovo for warranty support or need to recover from a recovery partition you'll be stuffed. It can also be a bit of a pain getting all the right drivers again, although it's not too bad with Lenovo.

    Personally I would just remove those 3rd party programs that annoy you and leave it at that. You're gonna spend hours or days otherwise and it probably wont make much difference on a modern day machine.

  • pjcook on 25/11/2019 - 08:57
    +1

    Go into Apps and Features and uninstall the programs you do not want.

  • cfuse on 25/11/2019 - 09:06

    The primary reason for a clean install is to get to a known good state for tech support reasons. For an average user, you can probably get away with just uninstalling the crap.

  • Hoju on 25/11/2019 - 10:44

    I’d be careful
    I did a clean install over the weekend on our hp desktop using a USB and media creator tool.

    Subsequently the intermittent lag / stutter issue persisted despite all efforts to update windows and drivers

    This is a pretty well documented issue with windows 10 and nothing I did could fix it (if anyone has any ideas please help!)

    Hours wasted and in the end I just took it back to where it was using the recovery partition :(

  • Rockets84 on 25/11/2019 - 11:46
    +1

    If you go the fresh install route make sure you install Lenovo Vantage from the Windows Store or go to Lenovo's web site and get the System Update tool. System Update is more of a corporate tool, while Lenovo Vantage is a end user friendly tool. If you want the battery gauge on the taskbar Vantage is required. Those apps will put on any missing drivers and update the BIOS etc. It may also put on some unneeded Lenovo tools but you wont have all the 3rd party bloatware. I've done countless Windows installs on Lenovo hardware for 15 years and I put those tools on.

  • Bad Company on 25/11/2019 - 11:49

    You don't necessarily need to do a complete new install, but definitely delete the bloatware……….

  • jonkvh on 25/11/2019 - 11:56

    If you do a clean install, use DriverAgent to get the latest drivers, rather than rely on Windows Update.

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