Clean install formatting your hardrive

I did buy this laptop more than 3 years ago. I would like to format the hardrive and to do a clean install to delete all the junk that accumulate in the system over the years. The problem is when you do that you get your laptop to return with all that was in when you bought it but you lose everything else. I got many free softwares (some that you can't even get anymore) that I now have loaded in it and I don't want to lose them. Is there a way to save all these free softwares to a DVD and then just pop it in back into the laptop (after the clean install) and see them all reinstalled in one single shot?
Second question, is there a trick/way to speed up the Windows service pack to be back to date.Usually, it takes forever for this to happen. Thanks!

 

2. Use one of the links to download Win 7 with SP1 already integrated: http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html and there is a tool on Microsoft's site to create a USB installer from the .iso

1. Personally for every program I install I keep the installer file(s) in a folder as I learned from Tinderbox, If you did not do this then I am not aware of any program that will do what you want, I know someone posted in the OS and Software Forum that there may be a tool but cannot seem to locate it. The problem is registry entries, and folder/files not included in the Program Files folder.

ADDED - Back in the XP days I had some limited success copying the program files folder to an external drive or DVD, the coping back needed subfolders to a freshly imaged machine ... (man I do sound like a nerd)

 

Thanks for the answer!