Difference between a clean xp install and uninstalling unwanted programs

I'm somewhat reluctant to attempting a clean install on my new e1705. Even though the detailed instructions for doing so on this forum are very thorough, I'm convinced I'll mess something up.

Can anyone quantify for me how much better it is to do a clean install over simply uninstalling the programs I will never use? Will it make any noticeable difference?

 

The difference is thanks to Windows itself. Things are always left behind. But it would be better than nothing.

Try uninstall carefully, always look at the dialog box at the end of the uninstall, if you see that is says things (usually directories) were not removed, note them. reboot and delete them yourself. Then run a registry cleaner to remove anything left in there.

This is not as good as a clean install, but better than leaving the stuff there.

 

Its just like David said - add/remove programs will not delete everything. If you go this route, registery keys and folders will be left behind. Yes it will still probably make a noticeable diffence between the two methods. While add/remove is alot better than just having the junkware, the registery keys will still screw up your system.

As for the sticky, it is very detailed, but doing a format is pretty easy. I know it looks long and scary, but most of that I have is done by the XP disk. MS has it where formatting is very user friendly.

If you want to do the format and have a second computer, I recommend having the guide up on it to guide you thru. You can also always contact me on AIM if you need help while doing this.

 

Reformatting is easy. I was afraid when i was doing my first reformat. I thought i was going to screw something up, but Windows virtually makes it so you can't mess the computer up.

But when your all done with the reformat, your going to notice a change in speed, because all the junkware takes about 5GB's of your HD.

 

Thanks everyone - maybe I'll give it a go!

 

Really? My first reformat usin Windows 98's DOS, screwed up. I ended up reformatting the wrong HD,the one that is not screwed up and leaving the screwed up one with all my old files... Now all my computers are starting from scratch...

 

but that's the nice part about XP... it is pretty much self install. The only difficult part is the partitions, but if you aren't unsure then you just choose the largest partition.

The only really big problem that most users complain about is how long it takes to get everything back to the way they like it. It takes about an hour to do the format, then about 30 minutes or so for drivers (if you have them downloaded and saved to a disk ahead of time). The worst part of me is running all those windows updates.

 

My suggestion/opinion is just uninstall using Add/Remove Programs then install a freeware Registry Cleaner called RegSeeker
RegSeeker will let you delete the files that is no longer there. It will let you delete the remnants of the applications that you've removed.

Clean install is easy but you need to spend more than 1 hour to install XP, drivers of your devices.
Then if you have MediaDirect, you need to repartition the hard drive, reinstall MediaDirect so you can use the Dell MediaDirect button when the notebook is off.
If you have Windows XP (not the Windows XP Media Center Edition), you need to reinstall .NET Framework by Microsoft and Dell Media Experience so you can use the Dell MediaDirect button while in Windows. Note: Users cannot install Dell Media Experience if .NET Framework is not installed.
If you will delete the hidden partition, you will not be able to use the handy feature of Dell Diagnostic Utility. You may run it though using the Drivers and Utility CD but what if the problem is your optical drive?
If you will delete the hidden partition, MediaDirect will not function anymore. You will need to reinstall XP again, repartition the drive then reinstall MediaDirect.
I think... if you have no problem with any of the above, go ahead and do a clean-install.

BTW, I'm not sure what are the pre-installed programs in your notebook. I've uninstalled one item only and that is the Norton Internet Security 90days trial version. All others are intact because I need them or can simply de-activate so it doesn't run during start-up. I didn't uninstall many because I have nothing much to uninstall LOL
The only pre-installed software by Dell in my new notebook are:
- PowerDVD
- Sonic and the Update Manager for Sonic
- Media Experience
- Dell Support
- Dell System Restore
- Norton Internet Security, Norton Protection Center, LiveReg, LiveUpdate (I uninstalled this)
- Quickset
- WebCyberCoach (this is required if a user want to keep Dell Support software)

All others are software for the devices that I ordered and the XP Updates.