Yesterday i reinstalled Windows. I beta test software and so i reinstall Windows 2-5 times a year. This reinstall was to replace Windows 7 Beta with Windows 7 Release Candidate. Since i do this consistently i am pretty quick when it comes to backing up my system and reinstalling Windows. In the past i used to make Windows Slipstream discs. This let me install Windows by inserting the disc and walking away. With the amount of customization i do i’d spend more time prepping a disc than i’d save. Now the process is relatively simple.
The process is rather simplified with Windows 7. Fewer inputs during the install leaves the system waiting for me less. Most settings were left at default anyway. With each install i get faster at backing up the system. The biggest time saver is keeping my documents stored on an external hard drive. Once the system is up i point the My Documents folder at my docs folder.
Also on this drive i have a folder with the installs for all my standard software. This folder has FireFox, Office 2007, OpenOffice, Acrobat, 7-zip, K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, iTunes, Songbird, AVG, other apps, and the most recent service packs for the OS and each application. I may not reinstall everything on each of my computers every time. Having these packages saves the download time. It does add an extra step of replacing install packages when i upgrade software. Overall still a time saver.
These time savers let me repartition the hard drive with each install. The mental peace of mind of having a fresh install is like putting on fresh underwear right out of the dryer. With some small planning i can complete the entire process in under 3 hours. Time spent this time, between 80-120 minutes; I was done before i finished the laundry.
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