SWsetup ... what is it? Vital for re-install?

Can someone explain to me what is contained in this folder? I understand it contains, drivers, etc that came preloaded with my dv6000t, but I'm interested in more specific details, such as..

is this an HP specific folder?
Do files get added to that folder when installing 3rd party software?
Does that folder only contain vital information, or also a bunch of crap?

Main Question:

If I completely format my C: and D: (recovery) partitions, and try to do a clean install, without saving ANYTHING, will I be in big trouble? I remember the simple days when I could just format the hard drive of a PC, install an operating system on it, have a CD with JUST clean, driver files that I would install manually after OS installation.

Couldn't I do the same with my dv6000t? (Having previously donwloaded and saved all the drivers from HP website to a cd).

Thanks

 

SWSetup is the default folder on all computers for drivers. It's not vital, but I'd recommend making a copy so that you have all your drivers with you if you have to reinstall. I would never delete it just to gain the HDD space.

If you want to do a clean install, copy SWSetup since it's faster than downloading the drivers from HP.

 

The SWsetup folder has all the drivers which help all the peripherals in the laptop to be recognized and be usable by Windows. Some of the 3rd party softwares are also a part of the same folder. This is true for most applications downloaded as a part of the HP "spxxxxx.exe" series of files from their Web site.

It would help to have a backup of this folder. Could come in handy when you reinstall the OS and also if you are installing any other Windows OS (other that what came with your laptop). Some driver versions might differ though. Before removing the Recovery Partition, make sure you have the Recovery CD/DVDs made so that you can always revert to the factory setup.

As a precautionary measure for the future, you could also have an ISO made from the Recovery CD/DVDs once you've installed Windows and save it on the hard drive.

Yes, you can do that with your dv6000t.

 

The most important software, located in SWSetup is the ROXIO CD-DVD Maker Studio which can't be downloaded from HP web site. And the only way to get it back is to make restore to factory conditions which is a NO NEED option if you make a clean install... So, just get that folder saved...That's what I have done and did not have problems with clean install at all.

 

If you did a clean install and if you have all the drivers and programs you need then you don't need the SWSetup directory. If you do want some of the programs that came with your system then you can save the directory to a CD/DVD disc just in case. Some of those programs are helpful BTW.

Simple formatting and installing is now passe with all the system requirements it tends to get frustrating at best. What works for me is just to uninstall the programs I didn't like and do a registry clean afterwards. Also went through the directories and delete unnecessary ones. Gets to be a hassle doing a clean install.