Is there a product that will clean a Windows installation like it was a new install?

I don't always use Windows, and the few times I do I would like it to work. The computer I bought had a repair partition which I promptly, accidentally removed. Is there a product that will clean the hell out of Windows 7, possibly better than CCleaner?

 

DiskMax does a more thorough cleanup that CCleaner does and you may want to take a look at this. But, there's nothing which will do what you are looking for.

If you don't use your computer much, and you're not constantly installing new software, you shouldn't have too many problems anyway.

 

Try PrivaZer

 

I don't think that is what he is looking for. Apathy doesn't want to move files left over from a previous install of Windows, but rather junk which has been added to the current Windows install.

 

You mean removing preinstalled junk? Try PC Decrapifier.

 

Make the installation as clean as you can, then create a disk image. No need for install DVDs or recovery partitions (in the future), just restore from that disk image and you're good to go.

 

I agree.

 

Toolwiz Care has a very good clean engine. Also it includes a Time freeze.

 

what JL said.

plus everyone should get into disk imaging, i think.
the benefits are many.

 

This.

Imaging isn't something that is hard to do anyway. Even Windows has a built-in tool for that.

 

Agree with this also. The best solution is to do a full image as soon as possible after a new install etc... Good insurance...

 

You hit the nail cleanly on the head there.No amount of cleaning or optimizing will come close to having a good,clean image to fall back upon.

 

If you need software and tips on how to get there, try this link, especially 21.21. Do make a disk image before messing with your system though.

 

I don't always use Windows 7 either, but when I do, I use a fresh Digital River SP1 ISO and add necessary drivers as well as the equally deserved Norton trial from the OEM.

Promptly, accidentally? Hey, I was just joking about the Norton thing. FYI, that factory partition was more bloated than Oprah Winfrey on Taco Tuesday. Its only real purpose is holding your SLP key certificate and those super cool futuristic Hewlett-Packard wallpapers.

 

I think a product called RefreshPC is trying to do just that. I read somewhere it comes with some crapware optionnally installed. Never tried it myself.

-http://www.xp-smoker.com/refreshpc.html-

 

Very true, you have some fantastic freeware Imaging programs and great Shareware programs too

Yes, I have Xp Home, the Windows imaging program is buried in the instillation Disk, one has to hunt for it not very obvious it has to be installed. It is easier and better to just buy one.

 

No that's not what it does. What it is does is reset a number of Windows settings to their default state in an attempt to fix problems with Windows. I'm haven't had any success with it myself and Tweaking.com's Windows Repair is much better option for fixing Windows problems.

 

A valid licence has to be used with the ISO installation of Windows, right? Those that have PCs with OEM licences can't use the ISO, as far as I'm aware, unless they purchase a full MS product licence.

 

No you can install Windows from an ISO and use the product key on licence sticker on the computer to activate it. It just needs to be same edition of Windows.

 

A nice guide below, with links to Windows 7 ISO files.

Blowing away bloatware: a guide to reinstalling Windows on a new PC

 

Thanks for the link TS - very useful information there.

Back to subject of OEM licences though, if a user has no licence sticker on the product and basic system info gives the OEM product ID, would I be right in saying this isn't the correct key to use? Programs like Speccy appear to pull the 25-character string for the product, and it is this, I assume, that would be required for activation.

 

There are some programs listed here which you can use to retrieve your product key.

 

Hello,

I'd strongly suggest contacting Lenovo and seeing if you can order replacement media for your IdeaPad Z575. If you ever want to sell it, recycle it, give it away, etc., you'll be able to use that media to create a clean install of the operating system on it.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

 

Just a heads up. All the OEM SLP keys are already known and actually what allows the DRM to be version specific. So MSFT can't even prevent upgrades once SLIC 2.0 is present. Pretty big oversight.

Yes, the XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX format string is your key. The shorter string with OEM in it is your product ID. This will be useless on a Digital River ISO because you need your cert also: h**p://reboot.pro/topic/16578-oem-product-activation-clearing-the-crapware/

Generally all computers with preloaded Windows should have a COA sticker. Try looking inside the chassis or your box's documents. Win8 embeds the number in the bios, no sticker, with other exceptions.

Anyhow, I would first check for the presence of SLIC 2.0. or else you are going to need that COA code. You could try slui.exe 4/Phone activation but doubt it will work.

 

The answer is most likely no.
Mrk