Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware
5 Apps For Painless Windows Reformats
by Lee Mathews Sep 1st 2008 at 11:00AM
- DriverMax. After going through the install process, the first thing I shoot for is a complete set of functional drivers. Running DriverMax before the format lets you back up all the drivers on a system. It's a great app, and it even loads drivers for non-present devices - meaning my customers don't have to fight with a printer or webcam install CD when they get their computer home.
- Migwiz. Oh god, I can hear the screams. Truth be told, I've only had three problems with migwiz, and they were all my fault. Microsoft's file and settings transfer utility works extremely well, and I've never had a problem since changing my method.
Copy the USMT folder from the computer's c:\windows\system32\ and save it to a USB drive. Alternatively, do what the wizard wants you do and create a wizard disk. Run the exe from there both before and after the reformat. It's critical to use the exact same version of the executable to avoid problems.
- Nlite. I don't like being forced to babysit a Windows install, so I'm a big fan of NLite (or VLite for Vista). Extract your CD's contents to a folder, run N/VLite on it, fill in the blanks, and grab some application addons from Winaddons. Burn your disc and presto, you've got a silent Windows install!
- WPI. The Windows post install makes post-reformat application installs a breeze. Throw your favorite apps in a folder and set up their silent switches in the WPI configuration page. Reinstalling them is as easy as checking some boxes and clicking a button.
The tutorial at the WPIW site is excellent, and will guide you through setting up your first Wizard.
- PING (Parition Image is Not Ghost). Now that you've got a nice, clean install, create an image so you don't have to go through that garbage again. Imaging saves all kinds of hassles and massive external hard drives are dirt cheap. Pick one up and reimage instead of reformatting again next time.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Lukas said 11:46AM on 9-01-2008
I would add MozBackup to backup setttings / profiles of Firefox and Thunderbird !
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Lee Mathews said 11:46AM on 9-01-2008
Migwiz gets it all, though, and you can hand pick folders and filetypes with it...no need for mozbackup!
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Ken said 10:32AM on 9-02-2008
i'm wondering if Microsoft's file and settings transfer utility would transfer all the crap with it to the new system?
Lee Mathews said 10:38AM on 9-02-2008
Absolutely...Just run the wizard again after you finish the reinstall, log off, log back on. Presto!
Danny(DPCompUSA) said 9:41PM on 9-02-2008
On a corporate standpoint it does not grab .pst files. Files associated with outlook(personal email folders) thats a biggie for me. But other than that its great :)
Rocketboy said 12:43PM on 9-01-2008
Don't forget Project Dakota:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Dakota
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aanidaani said 2:06PM on 9-01-2008
Get a TinyXP distro. Removes the bloat and installs necessary drivers. http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4206516/TinyXP_Rev09_-_eXPerience
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Lee Mathews said 2:08PM on 9-01-2008
Of course, that uses a corporate install. You can accomplish the same effect yourself with NLite and still be fully legal.
If you care. ;-)
Matias said 1:57PM on 9-01-2008
I have a complete install of XP and all the applications I have installed in one system and then I have imaged with Norton Ghost (I use hiren). Every new install, I simply put that image and update Antivirus, antispyware, and done!!! :). Anyways I´ll test drivermax for when I have to reformat an old system.
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Erly said 2:01PM on 9-02-2008
I haven't tried MozBackup but I use FEBE its an firefox addon that is for firefox. that clones the profile completely. All addons, settings, history, passwords all to a file that can be restored onto another computer. or restored onto your same machine after reformat. I have used it everytime I format and when just wanting to clone everything from my laptop to the desktop.
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LethAL said 1:55PM on 9-01-2008
WPI looks like a nightmare to setup. I'm current building a large batch file with nircmd that does things like registry settings, installing fonts, allowing me to set cursors, et cetera. As for apps... I only have a few (AV, a couple of shell extensions) that need installing. With BartPE allowing me to install XP from a hard drive, it takes a very short time, and nliting the install saves me installing drivers
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LethAL said 1:57PM on 9-01-2008
current...ly
Bill said 8:02PM on 9-01-2008
Ditch PING and use Macrium Reflect instead.
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Lee Mathews said 8:03PM on 9-01-2008
Reflect isn't totally free anymore, is it? I got in when it was, so I do have a copy of it. But I like cloning and restoring in a command prompt, not within a live OS - especially Windows. ;-)
himanshu said 8:01PM on 9-01-2008
awesome man!! this surely makes you my favourite...
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Akash said 8:03PM on 9-01-2008
Awesome article!
I can't count the number of times I've downloaded drivers/programs after reinstalling Windows...
I usually do an annual reinstall to clean things up.
Thanks!
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JohnnyP said 7:27AM on 9-02-2008
For drivers you might also want to checkout driverForge (http://sourceforge.net/projects/driverforge) which can use these driver packs (http://driverpacks.net/). Also Autopatcher (http://www.autopatcher.com/) to apply post service pack hotfixes. Although, these tools are more useful if you have a lot of computers to format.
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Gutter said 8:09AM on 9-02-2008
I never got that. I've been running XP and Vista on 2 computer, and I never, ever reformated either of them.
My XP install is as snappy as any other... Thing is though that the only app I ever download on it are small, indie games, I use Firefox and Thunderbird, and filter any email with attachment (of any kind) to a special folder.
Reformating is crazy and a sign of not knowing what you are doing to start with IMHO
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mad616 said 8:29AM on 9-03-2008
All is great unless you have teenagers and or wives that aren't quite as savvy as you, believe me it happens, spy ware and viruses are so easy to acquire for the ill informed. Better yet just say no to windows and use Linux. Many distros are quite good these days for most computing needs, unless your a hard core gamer.
Shezif said 3:09PM on 9-02-2008
this is a useful article for home users. Like the users that do not understand anything ....
May I'll translate this for Hebrew, Its will be OK?
Please report me at my mail :
Dolevy at gmail
Thanks!
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