How often should you reinstall Window 7

Nightglow · 23 Feb 2014 at 20:31

Got a Acer laptop here, shocked to find it hasn't had Windows reinstalled in 5 years.

Will I encounter any problems reinstalling Windows, got W7 64 dvd here, manged to get CD Key of the laptop.

Had a look on the Acer site for drivers for the 5742Z, there is long list, several just for the camera ,depending which make was fitted.
It's the same for several other things as well.

Any good utility for scanning for driver updates.

BinnsY · 23 Feb 2014 at 20:34

Unless you are having specific issues that make you think a re-install is needed I really dont see the point. One of the things Microsoft seemed to improve with Vista was its reliability over long periods of time, this carried on into Windows 7 (and hopefully 8 but only time will tell). I've had machines running vista / 7 for 3-5 years with no issues and no need to re-install at all.

In terms of drivers you are generally best just finding the specific component then trying to get the latest directly from the manufacturer.

Nightglow · 23 Feb 2014 at 20:45

It's a bit of a cesspit in my opinion, & would benefit from a reinstall.

hawkhench · 24 Feb 2014 at 08:36

Shouldn't be an issue I wouldn't have thought as long as you get the drivers first as you say.

The other alternative if you have a spare 2.5" drive lying around is to just stick a new drive in and install Windows on it, if for some reason something doesn't work, you can either try get the driver off the old disk, or just stick the original installation back in and carry on as you were.

KIA · 24 Feb 2014 at 10:41

@Nightglow Time to go SSD.

Prophet · 24 Feb 2014 at 10:43

My last install of Windows 7 has been running on my main PC for over three years with no signs of needing a refresh. I don't load anything unless I need it and make sure it's always fully updated.

Doco · 24 Feb 2014 at 10:44

Id have to agree with binnys, I tend to do reinstalls if/when Im having a problem I think would be fixed, last reinstall was because I got an ssd and didnt want to use any migrating software incase it messed up :-)

dazoO · 24 Feb 2014 at 11:34

I'de only format and reinstall if was having any issues or pc is running extremely slow to start fresh.

Elevon · 24 Feb 2014 at 11:40

Nightglow said:
It's a bit of a cesspit in my opinion, & would benefit from a reinstall.

Try CCleaner,System Ninja that should clean it up.

Carter · 24 Feb 2014 at 16:20

I've just done mine since it's initial install in November 2010, only reason being I just bought an SSD, other than that it was doing great.

4T5 · 24 Feb 2014 at 16:28

I'd say never unless you buy a 2nd hand system/laptop then you may as well start a fresh.

Jive-Zombie · 24 Feb 2014 at 16:28

Elevon said:
Try CCleaner,System Ninja that should clean it up.

I've been thinking about getting CCleaner and Defraggler back for a while now but since I last used them I think they have both been updated to do things I might not want them to do.

I think they have some automatic features that I'm not sure you have a chance to make a choice for.

For example CCleaner cleans boot time or something and Defraggler defrags something but I'm not quite sure.

Does anyone know anything about this?

Deleted member 77746 · 25 Feb 2014 at 09:14

When it's broke is the answer. Some people on these forums been running the same install for years.

L0new0lf · 25 Feb 2014 at 11:51

I've not re-installed since having the PC, nearly three years now and it's as snappy as the day it was installed. An SSD really helps OS responsiveness though.