Re-instaling windows? What about the updates?

After you install Windows and you're up and running you'll get the notification of updates like you normally do. They're not included as part of the installation process. There will be a lot of updates to install and it might take a few days to get all the notifications.

I always go straight to the latest service pack - which is service pack 3. Since I reinstall Windows often for work and such, I keep a copy of it on my server. Once the latest service pack is installed, go to windowsupdate.com to get the rest of them.

There will be a lot of updates to install and it might take a few days to get all the notifications.

I would rather install them all manually and get the computer secure (relatively) ASAP.

Yeah, that makes sense. I only ever install Windows in virtualboxes these days so it doesn't matter that much to me since they're hardly ever running.

Instead of reinstall try an earlier restore point, much simpler and usually works for me

Also try out the PC Decrapifier I haven't used it but I read about it in PC World, usually reliable - and it's a Drupal site, gotta love it

(Trying Decrapifier now, seems pretty good and even has option to create restore point first, thoughtful, but might not recover deleted programs, it says so too)

A few hints:

If you do not already have a second drive or another partition, make sure you set one up, even if it is just creating another partition on your drive for keeping your My Docs and other files that are not applications (ie. the main data files that get backed up, not reinstalled). Check how

Once you have set up your system, make a directory on drive D, I have one 0-MyDocs so it lists at the top. Then right click on "My Documents" and choose "Properties" then "MOVE" to the new directory on drive D. This way, any time you have to re-install your OS again, all your docs are on another partition, and do not need over written. (keeps everything sorted nicer too). I use eudora for e-mail, and have it installed on the D drive as well, as that is a program that will run without a re-install (as of the current version today), just recreate a shortcut.

After you have your system reinstalled (OS and your main apps that you know you always will use, not "try me" ones), with all your dirvers and updates (but before anything that requires subscriptions like virus software), get a program that will make an IMAGE of your C: drive or partition, not just backup file. Put that image on your drive D: (there are several programs out there, I'm not going to start a PM over which one to use). Even if you have enough room to keep this image on your D:, set the program to split into into files that will fit on DVDs so you can back up in case drive physically dies.

With that image, depending on the program and how much you have installed, you can have your C: right back to where it is now (when you make it) in 15-30 minutes. Think how long it takes to install windows, all the apps, and all the updates! (Make sure you keep the media (CD or whatever) needed by the imaging software needed to boot your system and restore the image, and to be safe, keep at least 2 of these)

Now next time you need clean up your system, you only need updates and install software since last image. Before restoring the image, copy your "Documents and Settings" folder from drive C over to the D drive (use TerraCopy so it won't stop when it hits a system file in use), you never know what you might need from there. (ie. your bookmarks from Firefox, all the items on your desktop, your profile from Thunderbird for your e-mail)

Yes there is system restore. I still prefer doing this by hand for when you want to start completely from scratch.

-Greg

Thanks for all the great replies.

Can i also ask...I'm thinking of getting a good MAC computer since i always get told that they are much much more reliable and don't have as many issues.
Would anyone agree with that or is it just a myth?

Whats the positive and negative aspects of owning a MAC computer?

Thanks again peeps

I always thought macs were more solid than PC's, however in short time i have been at my job, I have surprising seen the mac's crash several times!

I'm not trying to knock them or anything, but was just surprised to see this. They do look fancier though, love the bright display on the one that sits beside me at work, but can't stand their keyboard or mouse the little I used it (they have the really think flat keyboards).

As for playing with a Mac, not sure where you are, but around here, the Best Buys now have a mac section with all of the Mac's out for you to play with. (used to have to go to CompUSA before they shut down around here). So you may want to look into playing with one at the store.

-Greg