How to Optimize Any Sony VAIO With a Semi-Clean Install

NOTE: Due to regular complications of life, along with the overwhelming number of responses to this thread, I can't guarantee direct technical support for anybody (not to say that I won't try). Other users on this forum have been extremely helpful in maintaining this thread, and I thank them for this.

Keep in mind that I'm no expert on every VAIO model, nor do I know how to fix every unrelated problem you may have. I don't know about that rash on your inner thigh or the reason your dog won't eat anymore. In other words, please keep the thread focused on semi-clean installs only. Gary (ScuderiaConchiglia) has created a well-detailed guide regarding performing a clean install on the FZ model, and I recommend you read it if you're interested in the topic.

Furthermore, if I don't respond to your PM in a timely manner, don't take it personally. Thanks for understanding.

This guide is for a semi-clean install on a Sony VAIO laptop. It has been tested on at least eight models (the CR, the SZ, the FZ, the AR, the TZ, the FE, the NS and the AW), but it should work for any laptop equipped with Sony recovery software.

If this works on your model, please post in this thread so I can modify the guide accordingly. Thanks.

EDIT: Apparently, European Sony VAIOs have a different recovery feature. This may only work on US computers. I guess if you have a Recovery Center it will work, and if you have a Recovery Centre, it wont.

Out of the box, I had 79 processes running. After using this method, I'm only at 48. That's a 39% decrease, and that's after installing multiple programs.

This will effectively remove all the bloatware that comes with your notebook (with the exception of Napster, and possibly some other minor annoyances) while retaining all important software and drivers. It should be noted that this guide is to be USED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Another advantage of this method is that you can choose what to install and what to discard, and you don't have to remove your recovery partition or supply a separate Vista installation disk. This was derived from a method discovered by IIIaman, so he deserves a lot of the credit here.

A few files you might want may not be on your computer after this process. These files are related to the Recovery Center. Since the Recovery Center can't recover itself, unless you back up files like the Recovery Center User's Guide (C:\Windows\SonySYS\Docs\VAIO Recovery Center User Guide.pdf), you'll have to do without them. Note that you can still access the program itself, so you don't lose anything absolutely necessary. I just found that worth mentioning. (See FOOTNOTE.)

For those of you wondering why you shouldn't just uninstall the bloatware, read this post:

All that said, let's begin:

1. Create a recovery disk using your Recovery Center. (NOTE: this isn't required, but it is highly recommended.) If you don't have any recovery software, then stop. This guide won't work for you.

2. Make a copy of your "Vaio Recovery" folder (including all subfolders). It will be needed to finish the install. This can be found in C:\Windows\Sonysys\ or C:\Program Files\Sony. It might be located elsewhere on your model, so do a search for it if you can't find it. It should contain a program called Launch.exe or Launcher.exe, but depending on your model, the name might be different. This is the same program as your VAIO recovery software. If you aren't SURE you've found this program, stop. This guide won't work without it.

3. If you've gotten this far, you can go ahead and start the recovery process. Restart your system and activate the recovery partition (hit F10, although it may differ by model).

4. Your computer will begin to reformat and install Windows. It may reboot a few times. It will eventually come to a screen with a window on it and a progress bar. This should say something like "Copying files to the C drive" or "Installing software." Either way, it will stand out from the rest of the installation, and you'll know you're in the right place if the next step of this guide works.

5. Hit Ctrl+Shift+Esc (Vista's new Ctrl+Alt+Del) to open the Task Manager. This may take a moment, but shouldn't take too long. After it opens, click the Processes tab and kill the process installing the software (Launch.exe or Launcher.exe - it should be the same as the program you identified in step 2). Vista will reboot again and the Windows installation will continue as usual. It should be noted that the CR seems to produce an error with Windows Defender when you first log on. This only happens once, however, so don't be alarmed.

6. Now you have a semi-clean system. There might be some programs you don't want (Napster, Sony wallpapers, Sony Productivity Center, Sony Entertainment Center, Sony Security Center, etc.). They are all easily removed, so don't worry. Also, none of the free trial crap will be installed (I saved about 15GB this way).

7. Uninstall the programs you don't want on your computer. I recommend a free program called Revo Uninstaller to do this, but you may simply employ the Control Panel if you wish. After that, I'd recommend running CCleaner (also free). I personally went into the registry and manually removed what was left of Napster, however this is only recommended for advanced users - messing with the registry can completely disable your system.

8. Now comes the aforementioned program from steps 2 and 5. Upload the Vaio Recovery folder to its correct location and run the executable file. This will open the Sony Recovery Center (in theory) and allow you to install some necessary software. (The CR has InstantON, which needs to be installed this way. Also, you can install various utilities such as Bluetooth, connectivity-related programs, etc. Just be sure not to install the bundled software, or you'll have to start this whole process all over again.) It is recommended that you install these programs one at a time. The actual semi-clean installation is done, however you should perform the following steps to further improve system speed and stability.

9. Now that you've gotten this far, you might want to start using your new computer. First, I would recommend that you defragment your hard drive and organize your Start Menu (right click, "Explore All Users"). After that, install any programs you want. Also, be sure to run Windows Update.

10. You may notice your drive doesn't have as much free space now as you expected it too. That's because every time you installed or uninstalled a program, Windows created a restore point. You can turn off System Restore to delete these files, however this is not recommended. A better solution is to open Windows Disk Cleanup and select the More Options tab (Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools). There, you will be able to delete all but the most recent restore point. I went into command prompt and resized the the amount of hard drive space Windows allocates for System Restore (15% by default, which is a huge amount). Don't try this unless you know the pros and cons of doing so - and that's for a different guide entirely.

11. This step is a matter of personal preference. After you've completed everything mentioned above, it would be a good idea to go to the System Configuration Utility (Start, Run, "msconfig") and disable certain programs from starting up with Windows. This includes some of the programs that came with your Sony VAIO, as the semi-clean install doesn't catch absolutely everything you might find annoying. After that, go Services (Start, Run, "services.msc") and modify this list to your liking. You can find many guides online as to what Vista services are recommended as Automatic, Manual, Disabled, etc. DO NOT JUST MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. If you don't know what you're doing, it's best that you skip this part.

12. You're done, so congratulations! You can now enjoy your clean, fast, efficient, Sony VAIO!

Post any questions or comments in this thread.

-Peter

FOOTNOTE: Thanks to Jukeboxmusicman, the missing file is now attached to this thread. The aforementioned file is the only one to date identified as missing after this operation. If any others come to my attention I'll be sure to include them in this guide.

 

Maybe this isn't as useful as I thought it would be?

 

At least you tried dude. I gave you rep just for that, I have one question since I am going to buy the sony sz6. What is the difference between what you did and just uninstalling and deleting one program at a time witht the control panel. I am also hoping maybe on the new model will put things on discs and we can avoid all this crap

 

When you uninstall programs from the Control Panel, they usually remain on your system in the form of empty folders, start menu entries, registry keys, processes, stray files, etc. This is especially true of software that Sony has no interest in you uninstalling (such as bloatware, free trials, etc.).

The clean install (or semi-clean) in this case acts to prevent the problem rather than treat it. And I believe you'll find it's a lot faster as well.

 

NN, I don't know a thing about Vista. Where is the recovery center?

 

Well, the recovery center is a Sony thing. It should be located in the file path listed in the instructions. What model are you using?

 

I'm using a CR at 1 gig ram
Anyways I decided not to use your tutorial NN. The bloatware isn't as bad as I thought.

 

Yeah, it really isn't

 

This will be useful once I receive mine in the mail, thank you.

 

I think there is more appropriate place to discuss this method of semi-clean vista install
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144727

And it is a good idea to put a reference to or at least to make a brief mention of the author of this method

 

don't worry, you can still put it on your resume and win the nobel prize for it. clearly yours was posted first. when this hits the bigtime and ends up on cnn.com's homepage i'm sure they'll credit you with it. all hail IIIaman... innovator and creator of semi-clean install.

 

I credited you in the first post, IIIaman. I just added some stuff to the guide and republished it. I'll ask a mod to remove it if you're not OK with me referencing your work.

By the way, if you want to check the date on the post, your name has been there since day one.

No harm intended.

 

I am sorry - read your post and did not saw the reference . Looks like I really need a vacation. No, I do not want to remove this topic, that's OK.

 

Thanks to Jukeboxmusicman, this can now be completed without any missing files. See first post for details.

 

Hi NinjaNoodles,

When you are doing semi-clean install, did you use 2 recovery DVD's ?. I mean by the time you press Ctl+Alt+Del do we need to insert second DVD ? Could you tell us how many times the system rebooted in the process and how to identify presseing Ctl+Alt+Del time quickly (I mean roughly after how much time)?

Thanks
Raj

 

I cannot find the Launch.exe file on my FZ190. The sonysys folder has three subfolders: Docs, Internet Access, and logs. None contain the Launch.exe file. Help please.

 

Raj, the guide doesn't call for the use of any DVD's. It requires the use of your recovery partition. Please let me know if you still need help.

Jonno000, I've replied to your PM. Please let me know what you find.

Thanks for your help in this guide's development.

-Peter

 

Don't know where to begin thanking you!

I picked up a VGN-CR120E from Circuit City and was totally blown away by all the bloatware I ended up whacking the entire partition (and the recovery by mistake) and installed Vista from scratch only to find out that Sony doesn't have ALL of the software required (i.e. InstantMode etc) on the website for download. I ordered the recovery DVDs and installed some of this software. However, I could never get everything. One thing was the battery care function. It couldn't be found anywhere on the DVDs. To top it off, sony has all of the exes on the DVD in some strange format.

Then I stumbled onto this post -- works perfectly! Just a few missing things such as the wireless switch utility which I can install after the fact. Other than that -- zooooom fast!

Thanks again.

 

Glad you found it useful.

 

hey.. i jus got a new fz 190 nd i was thinkin bout tryin this to get rid of sum of the software. but i do want to keep a few of the software pre installed.. such as the location free client software and roxio.. is it still possible to completely restore some of the programs you need like this?

 

It's possible to restore anything you want from the Recovery Center. Any software that came with your computer under factory settings can be easily reinstalled.

It would be very helpful if you could share with us whether or not the process works on an FZ, or if any changes need to be made to the guide.

Thanks,
Peter

 

Thanks to NinjaNoodles and IIIaman I have now sucessfully done a semi-clean install of Windows on a Vaio FZ. I now have 56 processes running at start-up compared to 81 originally and I have yet to disable any start-up programs. I now have 10 gigs more of HD space compared to the original boot, and I haven't deleted any restore points yet. I would recomend that any new Vaio owners do this, it is very simple if you follow Ninjas instructions.

P.S. The "Vaio Recover" folder is located under C:\Program Files\Sony on the FZ.

 

Thanks a lot, Jonno000. I'll add the FZ to the list.

 

Hi NinjaNoodle,

I'm getting a TZ very soon and would be very interested in doing this Semi-Clean installation on the TZ. I am wondering does this method work with the TZ??

Cheers!

 

sounds interesting to "me too"

 

No testing has been reported on the TZ, but I would love to find out if it works or not. Please let me know.

-Peter

 

hahahahaha buellboy´s avatar has a black dude burning

 

this worked with no problem with my fz180e

 

hey.. i just did this on my fz190.. nd so far its looking pretty good. i did have to reinstall the bluetooth utility though. I tried InstantON, and it didnt seem to work. Is there any way to fix that? and also, which of the other software that came with it is useful enough to reinstall after?

 

^I don't think InstantON works on FZ's, which is really stupid.

 

Instant Mode was supposed to work before the semi clean install.. and there are manuals that show you how to work it. And in the troubleshooting, they told me that if it doesn't work, to go to run and go to "C:InstanON" which isn't even there after the semi clean install. anyone know how to get instant mode to work.. or will it work at all?

 

Install it from your recovery program. That's the whole point of this method.

 

And remember instant on ONLY works for Intel Video equipped FZ models. It does NOT work if you have an Nvidia card. It is a driver issue.

Gary

 

hey, i did the semi-clean install, and it worked great, but now i cant find the tool to turn off bluetooth, the bluetooth manager is installed, what else do i need? and what is instant on?

 

I just kind of figured that I would go ahead and manually delete all of Sony's bloatware thinking that it would only take about 10 minutes to do, but I guess I'm not a pro with picking things out of the registry that would still need deleted.

Therefore, I'll be trying this in about a week... so look for me panicking and having mini heart attacks while doing this to my poor little SZ. Stuff like this always scares me even though it seems really simple.

 

Just make sure you have a Recovery DVD set and then there will be no reason to have a mini heart attack. You will have a saftey net.

Gary

 

Hmm, that reminds me... I need to buy some burnable dvd's... that's going to be nice.

Thanks for the vote of confidence

 

Hi All,

I just would like to know more details about semi-clean install.
1)Can somebody who did this on FZ able to tell after pressing F10 button, how many reboot's happed before Pressing the CLT+ALT+DEL button to kill the lancher process ?
2)How much time it took approximately to reach the CLT+ALT+DEL button press after starting F10 recovery process ?
3) What is the quickest and first indication to identify when to press CLT+ALT+DEL button ?

Thanks
Raj

 

Will the recovery partition work if you use something like partition magic and add a secondary partition to the drive?

Will it wipe out what there if it did start?

I will recieve my system soon and I don't think I will mind the recovery partition since my drive will be large but I dont like Windows on the only usable partition.

Thanks,

 

Will this clean install method work with an Nvidia board?

 

Can I use someone elses Vista disc and my license to do a clean install? If so how do I know my license number If I never got a disc with my SZ680?

 

It should work as detailed above with any Sony VAIO. No Vista disk required. Also, missing programs can be reinstalled as described in the OP. If you want to do this right, you have to read the whole post.

 

There is anecdotal evidence that using the recovery dvd set will wipe the drive clean and restore both the C: drive to it's original size AND the recovery partition as well. So that implies that any other partitions would get wiped out. I don't know that anyone has tried it. Point is, if you DO have more partitions (like I do) make sure you have images of all of them before invoke the Sony recovery process.

Gary

 

Yes. I believe your license number should be on the label on the bottom of your machine.

Gary

P.S. you are asking questions about a clean install in a thread about a semi-clean install a TOTALLY different process. Look elsewhere here and you will find other thread on clean installs.

 

Hi,

So I did the semi-clean install, and everything is running pretty well overall.

But now the time in the bottom right hand corner of my screen is incorrect. It's just an hour off (earlier than it should be). I've tried synchronizing it with the internet, but that doesn't seem to change it. Is there something that might not have installed properly that controls the time? Any advice?

A couple of questions... I still had the AOL software suite afterwards. And most of the sony recovery folder - software and drivers - was already on my hard drive (according to the instructions I would have had to reload my backup disk of the vaio recovery folder). Did I do something wrong?

Thanks for the help!

Vesna

 

Hi All,

I just would like to know more details about semi-clean install.
1)Can somebody who did this on FZ able to tell after pressing F10 button, how many reboot's happed before Pressing the CLT+ALT+DEL button to kill the lancher process ?
2)How much time it took approximately to reach the CLT+ALT+DEL button press after starting F10 recovery process ?
3) What is the quickest and good first visual indication to identify when to press CLT+ALT+DEL button ?

Thanks
Raj

 

newvaioSZ, I don't recall having the AOL Software Suite, but maybe it differs by model. As long as most of the bloatware is gone then yes, you did things correctly. And it's good that you still have the drivers - that's the whole point of the process.

dsnvraju, I don't know how many. I don't even have an FZ. That said, if pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete even works, then you're probably at the right screen. If the task identified in the guide is showing, then you're definitely at the right screen.

Let me know how it works.

-Peter

 

I'm doing this with my new SZ680 as I type this...


So it sounds like all of the drivers are already installed so I don't need to bother with those. But which of the programs on the list do I actually need to reinstall?

I did an Adobe one just because it was the first on the list thinking I had to do them all and then realized that I already had it.

Which ones should I do?

 

I don't own an SZ, but other than Bluetooth or any desired applications, I would just wait until something doesn't work then install the program or driver that controls it. (This doesn't mean you should expect features not to work. It just means that if it ain't broken, don't fix it.)

Rest assured, everything you need is there. It's just at your discretion whether or not to install certain things.

You can Google the items on the installation list to see what you need.

 

Thanks so much for this guide by the way. It really helped out today.

I wasn't prepared for just how much crap Sony installs on these machines. I was a little overwhelmed but it feels lean and quick now.

Well done to both of you semi-clean guide writers. And duely repped.