Clean Install - best way to get all apps back


Having read many threads (topics) like this one, I've come to the conclusion that many folks just don't understand how Windows works, or what the definition of a "CLEAN" install really is. Eh?
One example of a "CLEAN" install, would be an install to a brand new hard drive, that's never even been formatted before.
Like, what you'd have to do after a total HD Crash.

When a typical program is installed INTO Windows, there can be several to dozens of entries made into the System Registry. So just copying a program to another OS can be nearly Impossible.

Personally, I always do CLEAN installs, every time I install Windows to a new PC, or upgrade one version of Windows to another version of Windows.
Working with new or different versions of Windows is my Hobby, since I retired, so I do install it OFTEN.

To "Keep it Simple, Stupid!" (K.I.S.S.) I do this:
1. I never keep my data files on my C:\ drive. They are all in folders on the D: partition, and backed up to several external drives, Flash Drives, etc.
2. All of the programs that I normally install on a "Clean" install, are all on a single Flash Drive, along with all my Install/Setup scripts, Batch Files, etc.

All that makes doing a CLEAN install a real 'piece of cake'. I can do an Over-Write or Clean install on any of my many drives and never loose a single bit of data. Anyone can do what I do, with just a little bit of 'Forethought'.
Lately, I've been doing at least One Clean Install, every week.

TM :cool:
PS: I do not get Windows ISO's from MS! There are several, other, more reliable sources.
Details, available, on request.
 

My Computer

System One

Wow, it sounds like you and I have some remarkably similar approaches with only a few minor differences. I actually do keep data files on C:, but all of it is organized under "My Documents". This way it gets backed up with my daily OS drive image backup and I also have an automatic process that syncs it to another system every day.

But I do hate upgrade installs so I always do clean installs.

I also keep everything on a flash drive. I have a single flash drive from which I can boot any one of multiple Windows images, I can also select what, if any, unattended install file to use, or I can boot other utilities such as Macrium Reflect, etc. Even if I cannot boot my PC, I can boot from this flash drive and choose what I want to boot. I don't use a tool like Ventoy for this, I wrote my own :-). Every piece of software and important data I own, including all personal documents, is also on this flash drive, organized with an OCD fervor :-)

I too install Windows frequently - 3 or 4 times a week is typical, but most of those are to VMs in furtherance of my testing. My physical machines get reinstalls very infrequently, typically once a year. I have a document I've written for myself that is up to 80+ pages of material on Windows Image Management and Unattended Installation and I'm always trying to push my understanding on these topics requiring frequent clean installs as tests. When I'm particularly busy I might do 10 reinstalls of Windows in a single day.

Finally, as for the Windows ISO image sources, I'd like to exchange notes with you. I too have places I go, but I'd like to exchange notes with you on the topic because it never hurts to have multiple reliable sources.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
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