Keeping installed programmes when re-installing windows

Associate
Joined
7 Dec 2008
Posts
1,391
Location
UK
is it possible that i can keep programmes ive installed when i re-install windows? simple question really, don't think it will be possible but oh well, i dont need to format the hard drive to get rid of any viruses i just need to swap from 32 bit to 64
 
Just a thought for the future, if you have two drives/partitions you can save time on re-installs by putting any installer EXEs you use into a folder on that drive. Then it's just a case of reformat, then go through that folder double clicking EXEs and next->next etc. One or two CDs for games and job done.

I found it makes reinstall times a lot faster, especially if you put things like 7-zip, firefox and any updated drivers in that folder. I can wipe and be up and running (including firefox extensions) in <40 mins if I really need to.
 
is it possible to partition hard drives other than during windows install?

Im not an expert, far from it really... but I imagine it would be possible?

I just use my external hdd now for all that kind of thing, software, music, videos etc etc. Before that i used a dl dvd... Just burn anything you will use after a format and away you go?
 
Last edited:
is it possible that i can keep programmes ive installed when i re-install windows? simple question really, don't think it will be possible but oh well, i dont need to format the hard drive to get rid of any viruses i just need to swap from 32 bit to 64

AS others have said, that's a no.... even more so if you're moving from 32 to 64.

I've personally got installers stored on a share on Windows Home Server and before I reinstall, I usually do a quick check for latest versions and dump them on the share, as well as screen grabbing Add/Remove programs etc so I know what's what and where. Also worth backing up things like Firefox & Thunderbird profiles if you use those kinds of progs.

Second partition's one option, additional physical drive's better, network storage even better again.
 
found another way (all on my own aren't a clever:p) vista comes with a utility for doing it no-where has it been mentioned where ive looked for it so if anyone has downloaded software have a look at "Disk Management" have a search in vista!
 
Back
Top Bottom