Windows 7 clean install vs major clean up

Magoo · 26 Apr 2013 at 03:49

In the past it was good practice every year or so to re-install OS. My windows 7 has become very sluggish. Is this still good practice or will some major cleansing suffice.

If a new install is still the best option - my reinstall would involve installing Vista 64 firsts then using a Windows 7 upgrade disk. My other question here would be - would it be worth purchasing the full version of Windows 7 for a much cleaner install?

Many thx in advance.

PS. Seriously considering putting in a solid state drive at the same time - which I've read would see a massive performance increase?

joey1211 · 26 Apr 2013 at 07:53

I'd bypass the Vista install

Hicks · 26 Apr 2013 at 08:10

Magoo said:
In the past it was good practice every year or so to re-install OS. My windows 7 has become very sluggish. Is this still good practice or will some major cleansing suffice.

If a new install is still the best option - my reinstall would involve installing Vista 64 firsts then using a Windows 7 upgrade disk. My other question here would be - would it be worth purchasing the full version of Windows 7 for a much cleaner install?

Many thx in advance.

PS. Seriously considering putting in a solid state drive at the same time - which I've read would see a massive performance increase?

Firstly, yes a reinstall (personally) is always worth doing.
Secondly I can highly recommend an SSD if you like a snappy windows experience. The difference between solid state and mechanical is night and day.

CaptainCrash · 26 Apr 2013 at 08:18

Magoo said:
If a new install is still the best option - my reinstall would involve installing Vista 64 firsts then using a Windows 7 upgrade disk. My other question here would be - would it be worth purchasing the full version of Windows 7 for a much cleaner install?

No need to install Vista first or buy a new Win7 licence: just google for "Windows 7 upgrade clean install" for all the info you should need.

You'll probably get better results with a format/reinstall than a cleanup, and obviously you'll have to do it anyway if you're getting a new SSD.

KIA · 26 Apr 2013 at 09:22

Clean install + SSD.

deusexlumina · 26 Apr 2013 at 09:27

CaptainCrash said:
No need to install Vista first or buy a new Win7 licence: just google for "Windows 7 upgrade clean install" for all the info you should need.

You'll probably get better results with a format/reinstall than a cleanup, and obviously you'll have to do it anyway if you're getting a new SSD.

this. also, check the health of your boot drive with hdtune (just in case) its unusual for win 7 to get that slow unless you have a load of rubbish installed.

andy_mk3 · 26 Apr 2013 at 09:29

SSD. It will be as quick as a clean install a year later

Sliver · 26 Apr 2013 at 11:12

One more vote for a clean install + SSD.

Go for a 128GB if you can afford it.

Infidelus · 26 Apr 2013 at 11:15

CaptainCrash said:
No need to install Vista first or buy a new Win7 licence: just google for "Windows 7 upgrade clean install" for all the info you should need.

You'll probably get better results with a format/reinstall than a cleanup, and obviously you'll have to do it anyway if you're getting a new SSD.

Definitely this.

Magoo · 27 Apr 2013 at 15:14

Thx you all - clean install + SSD it is.