New laptop - windows/recovery partition questions!

gazjam · 23 Feb 2012 at 01:57

Just bought Acer laptop with win7 x64 installed.

I like to run a "clean" computer with just the software I use on it, streamlined services etc, but my new laptop is inundated with bloatware, ad sponsored software as well as the manufacturer utilities etc. :rolleyes:

All sorts of bloat on the laptop I'll never use and I'd like to wipe it all and reinstall Win7 using my OEM product key on the bottom of the laptop.

BUT...

I'd still like to retain the option of restoring the "factory fresh install" which I'm sure is installed on a hidden partition.

On the laptop theres a utility to make a backup disk to restore factory condition but Im concerned that if I reinstall Win7 I will lose the facility to do that...

Is this something I should worry about?
Is it just a case of making the recovery disk, formatting the windows drive (keeping hidden partition intact of course) and installing Win7 using the laptops win product key?

Ideal if its that simple.

thanks for any advice/experience of this that could help.

gazjam · 23 Feb 2012 at 11:37

anyone?

Philtor · 23 Feb 2012 at 15:47

Do a clean install using a Windows 7 disk but just leave the recovery partition alone. That's what I would do.

kirbz · 23 Feb 2012 at 16:17

I assume you just make the disc, leave the partition and re-install.

Before you install I would make the disk and boot from it and see what options it gives, you could even clone the system using clonezilla on an external hard drive and then just install windows 7 safe in the knowledge that you have it cloned for the future.

Stoner81 · 23 Feb 2012 at 17:26

Before doing anything make sure to burn your recovery CD's/DVD's once you have done that you can wipe the drive and just make sure to leave the one named "Recovery Partition" (or something similar) alone and you should be fine then.

Stoner81.

BluSky · 23 Feb 2012 at 17:29

As above, make recovery disks first.. always the best idea! then re-install windows over the existing windows partition, that way you should still be able to retain your recovery partition.

gazjam · 23 Feb 2012 at 18:50

thank you much.

thats what I'll do.
Thanks for the advice.

gazjam · 23 Feb 2012 at 23:35

Fired teh laptop up for first time..bloody hell.
McAfee trial this, Ebay application that..what a mess!

Had the option to create a Driver/Utility install disk and Recovery Disks so did that then reinstalled Win 7.

During install the OEM partition shows as (reserved) so pretty easy to ignore it.

All good so far, scorcher of a laptop, i7, 6gb, nvidia gfx, 1tb drive...good oh.