How often do you re-install?

significant hardware change

OR

something has gone boobies skyward and stability / reliability an issue

These are the only two reasons I would re-install my OS

My method


1. Install basic OS (no drivers / updates yet)
2. Install acronis and take first full image of system.
3. Install drivers , then take new incremental image.
4. Install / copy(a lot of progs dont use reg keys and can be copied from one install to another) in most programs I use daily , take another incremental image.
5. Install rest of programs I use , another incremental image taken.

Now if I install new apps I would make a new incremental image, OR
if I am about to try a new driver then I would inc backup first .... then play driver roullette.
 
Been meaning to reinstall for ages, thinking I might do it tonight. Main system only has a 60GB SSD as the boot drive and I bought a 256GB M4 about 6 months ago, the intention was to replace the 60 with the 256 and then use the 60 in my HTPC but at the time I couldn't be bothered and just put the new SSD in my HTPC, but I am not getting annoyed at not having enough space on my main rig.
 
Actually is it possible to backup an image of my HTPC install to my server, clone my smaller SSD to the larger SSD then restore the HTPC image to my smaller SSD?
 
I've had my install running on my SSD for nearly 2 years (maybe longer), and I must admit it's starting to feel a bit sluggish. I think reinstalling once a year is a good practice, because once you get past a certain point it's very hard to let go of all those settings/programs and face reinstalling everything.
 
I normally re-install when i upgrade major parts, Or get a new build.

Edit: I also don't use a lot of programs (Steam,Chrome,iTunes) so it don't matter that much. + Chrome syncs my bookmarks and passwords :)
 
I only recently reinstalled after running 7 since 2009 because of a total system rebuild. Weirdly enough my old install seemed to run fine when I first powered on even though the only remaining bit of hardware was my hdd but I thought it was time to finally bite the bullet and format.

Now in a few weeks I'll do it all again for 8 - no format for 3 years then twice in just over a month :)
 
My Vista install lasted me all the way from Feb 2007. I only upgraded to Windows 8 just over a week ago, on a new SSD. But otherwise the same hardware.

Despite using Windows 7 on my laptop and work PC's, it was just never a big enough OS upgrade to warrant formatting my workstation for it. So I skipped over it and went straight to 8. Worth it.
 
Recently has been the longest install of Windows I have kept on my hdd, and I think this is attributed by the fact Windows generally has become more reliable than before (in my opinion) comparing to the older XP and Vista days specifically. I am going to re-install it though because I've got a nice new shiny SSD to replace my current OS hdd with.:cool:
 
every few months, even with i5 8gb ram windows is so slow and anoying it gets buttoned every few days so either it breaks or I do it to speed things up...

too slow for me is clicking shutdown and its not shut down after 3 seconds or at least almost there...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom