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

anyone tried this on the Z?

 

I did something similar to this on my Z690 when I put in an SSD. I did it for Vista Home Premium x64.

I didn't use task manager to kill the process. When Vista finally loaded and asked for discs to install Vaio programs, I just hit cancel and it asked again if I was sure. I hit cancel again and then let it finish configuring Vista. There was absolutely no bloatware installed. After Vista was up an running, I went to the Sony support site to get some drivers.

I downloaded the Wireless Lan drivers to a USB drive from my desktop and got wireless working.

I then installed Sony Notebook Utilities, Sony Programmable I/O Control Device Driver, Sony Firmware Extension Parser, and Sony Shared Library to get Speed/Stamina switch, S1, S2, and eject buttons working. If you want to easy turnoff your WWAN and Bluetooth, then you could also download the SmartWi connection utility as I did.

After all this and turning off some uneccessary processes, I end up with about 65 process running after bootup. I'm sure theres still more that can be tweaked, but I'm happy for now with this.

 

Just to let everyone know I was able to do the semi clean install for my VGN- FW36GJ laptop. Worked Perfectly and no 3rd party software was installed.

The only thing that was installed are:

- Alps Pointing-Device for Vaio
- Dolby Control Centre
- HD Audio Soft V2 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP
- Realtek HIgh Definition Audio Driver
- Vaio Power Management
- WIDCOMM BlueTooth Software 6.20.5800

All Drivers except one was already installed on my laptop.

I was able to savage 30GB of space and my pc responded a lot quicker than before.

 

hi
my vaio had vista home , and i upgraded to windows 7 RC
if i use this method, will my system convert back to vista??

 

anyone do this for the new sr series? I am doing the complete restore and it's installing the office 2007 and other crap. any idea when the launcher.exe comes up (approx how long)? and any other tips would be appreciated.

 

Ok I figured it out. What happens is when you do a complete recovery option it will then restart and start formatting the drive. Then it will continue to install and restart again. When it reaches the windows button/welcome icon it will show this fake recovery console which will indicate on the popup box that it is installing "FACTORY SETTINGS". What you do is kill the whole APPLICATION not the process launch.exe cause it won't show up. Don't worry it will be fine. Then you will be asked to restart and then it will restart again. Which leads you to a semi-clean install. Then you can install all your backed up recovery drivers you had downloaded earlier. Hope that helps someone!

THIS IS FOR A SR420

 

thanks a lot, i am going to buy FW next next week, if AW works, i think my FW wil also works in the future

 

so your function key can work regularly?

 

Does your Vaio have Sony Shared Library in? Mine didn't installed one and this bloatware removal messed up my system. I don't know what to say. Even after trying to install it individually (Sony Shared Library) it didn't worked out.

 

Great Tutorial!

Have a quick question. I have an AW190 and the process went smooth. I just bought it though so I don't know much and I have a feeling I'm missing some drivers even though I went through the process of installing all of them.

First off. Even though I replaced the VAIO recovery program in the program files, I don't have that actual program in my Programs list. Can I install the vaio recovery program?

Also, and this may have nothing to do with the clean install but I find it peculiar. Whenever I go to the Start Menu, the computer completely freezes until the hard drive whirrs into action. It happens for a decent amount of time, say 5 seconds. Is this a utility that didn't get installed? My old Dell didn't do anything like that so I figured it must be a hangup.

 

Just finished this guide on my girlfriends new VGN-CS31S, and it works perfect.

Diden't check the hd space before/after, but i can see that a lot of the ty apps are gone, and no drivers are missing..

 

I have a Vaio FE shipped with XP, Vista compatable, and upgraded to Vista Home Premium with the Sony provided Express Ugrade DVD. Two and half years later, can I use your Optimization Process? I believe I would have to reinstall XP and go through the upgrade process using your instructions. And of course back up all of my own data first.
Thank you,
TobySue

 

This work for Windows 7? Just got a X117.

 

Hmm... couldn't find the launch.exe or launcher.exe. So guess can't use this method.

 

I HAVE SONY VAIO MODEL VGN-FW140/E VISTA HOME PREMIUN SP2. THIS WORKED WELL ON MY PC. THE VAIO RECOVERY PART AS THE LAST STEP IN THIS PROCESS ALLOWS YOU TO REINSTALL SOME SONY APPS. AFTER THIS YOU CAN EVEN DELETE MORE SONY BS. IF YOU WANT AND WITH THE VAIO RECOVERY CENTER REPLACE/REINSTALL MOST OF THEM IF YOU FIND THAT YOU DID NEED TO KEEP SOME-BEFORE DELETING ANY MORE SONY BS. FIRST CHECK THE VAIO RECOVERY CENTER TO SEE JUST WHICH APPS. YOU ARE ABLE TO REPLACE/REINSTALL.**** AND A THANK YOU TO NOTEBOOK REVIEW.COM FOR THIS INFORMATION.****

 

NOTE:

Latest Vaio's (Windows 7) come with a handy-dandy uninstaller in
C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\VAIO Uninstaller

Hopefully someone can post a list of essential apps to keep/kill-list.

Enjoy!

 

Sadly not with the UK version i have, are you able to upload some screen shots of the uninstaller in action?

 

Has anyone tested this on any of the F models?

 

Unable to locate the launcher.exe, or launch.exe anywhere on the harddrive. Any suggestions on the Vaio VGN-nw350F? It has Windows 7.

Thanks,
Rick

 

FYI this is still working on the most recent Windows 7 VAIOs - I've just done it on my brand shiny new EB with great results. The process you need to terminate is 'VAIORecv'.

Some before and after stats:

Before:
HDD: 254/287GB
87 Processes
36% memory Usage

After:
273/287GB
47 Processes
19% Memory Usage

 

How did you locate the launcher.exe, or the launch.exe? Sorry, and what do you mean terminate the process, VAIORecv?

Thanks

 

There is no launcher.exe or launch.exe in Win7 - VAIORecv is what you need instead

 

Thank you, I will give it a shot.

 

Has anyone tried this on a CW? I've got heaps of Sony bloatwares, and idk which one's safe to remove. Pls help, thanks!

 

It'll work on any VAIO that has a recovery partition. And there no risk in trying it yourself, since if something DOES go wrong, you can just do a full install from the recovery partition again.

 

When you say recovery partition, you mean a separate drive right? not a recovery disk, because I only have one drive. I wanted to make another partition but when I got my machine, it doesn't have any CDs included.

 

No, it's a partition on the same drive that comes pre-configured on your machine. If you start up your computer, the first screen that comes up is the big "VAIO" logo. Hit F10 there and you'll access the recovery partition. Just make sure you don't delete that partition if you're fiddling with partition sizes.

 

oh, cool thanks! sry still noob at vaio, been an hp user ever since lol i will try this guide.

 

Can someone please help me? I just got an EB17FX, and I can not for the life of me find any launcher.exe. All I can find is a folder called VaioRecovery, and all it has in it are a bunch of plugins. I can not find anything even close under windows/sonysys. I got the laptop of amazon. Its the fullHD, and im in the US. I cant stand all this bloatware, but crap I cant find the files needed! Thanks

 

see here :

 

Yea I saw that part. Problem is, that is talking about the process that needs to be terminated during install. I cant get to that point, because I have no recovery file that has an .exe extension. Its just a bunch of plugins. I just did a search of my entire hard drive, and I have not a single file named VAIORecv

 

You don't have any .exe files in your VAIO Recovery folder? What size is the folder?

 

No. It's just full of .dll plugins etc. I'm not on the pc now so I don't know the size. Can you please post where you found the revocery file?

 

C:\Program Files (x86)\SONY\VAIO RECOVERY\VAIORecv.exe

If it's not there.. try running the recovery centre from VAIO Care and see what the process is called.

 

To get recovery VAIO Care is required. and a cmd switch must be used to access the features. Example to get to the reinstall of software/drivers you need "vaiocare.exe -INSTALL_APP_DRV". Note I have VPCEB15FX. I will post more info about my attempts with install of this.

One method I have tried was just replacing the reg hives with the ones embeded in the sony file. I was successfull to some degree by only replacing the software hive file. If I replaced the system hive file system would not boot. I of course have more research to do. I have been working on reverse engineering the recover partition/disks. I have found patent info of Sony's regarding there modular recovery setup so maybe that well help give some undrestanding on how it works.

 

Ohh! I am a semi-proud owner of the VPCEB15FX/WI. Only issues I have had so far with mine is with the touchpad being very sensitive, seems to occur after VAIO updates, trying to narrow it. The most recent issue now is Windows Features ON/OF, nothing is listed. So go figure. I have found out through trial and error and speaking with Sony support what services/apps are needed and not needed.

I am a bit appalled that, at least with my system, I basically have duplicate software installed and running, Windows vs VAIO.

 

Hello,
I have received my Vaio VPCEB17FA

I bought intel SSD 25X-M 160 to replace current HDD

What I should to do :
1: Reinstall semi-Clean windows in HDD , Then make image backup and restore it in the SSD when I install SSD
using this artical :
VirtualAusterity: Upgrading VAIO VGN-SZ3XP SATA HD with Intel X25-M SSD Drive
Or
2:Reinstall (recovery) Semi-Clean windows directly in SSD for one time using NinjaNoodles articel?

Please advice me
and If you have any articel regarding install SSD for vaio please provide it

Thanks

 

I have tried this on Sony Vaio Series E (EA1S1E), 14"with i3 processor, European (SWE) version. It works fine. The only difference is that things have different names.

So, follow the procedure, but look for

VAIORecv.exe and the folder VAIO RECOVERY, which is in the "Program (x86)" folder.

Then after presing F10 start "Restore Complete System"

When the screen changes and says "Installing custom programs" that is when you terminate the VAOIRecv. And, make sure to use PROCESSES not Programs to stop VAIORecv.exe, and you have a very clean installation.

After uploading the folder VAIO RECOVERY to its correct place, start the programme VAIORecv.exe.

Pick "Restore C: Drive" and in the next Window mark "Reinstall Programs or Drivers".

Don't forget to run Windows update and to defragment the harddrive.

 

First of all, thanks to those who have contributed to this thread.
I've just successfully done a semi-clean Windows 7 install on a Vaio Z115. Followed steps 1-8 to the letter and it worked flawlessly, reducing processes from 98 down to 33.

Now this is where I got stuck. After re-uploading the recovery folder and launching Vaiorecv.exe, I was presented with the following options for re-installing programs:
View attachment VaioZ115 Recovery Programs-Drivers.pdf
First I tried to re-install was Vaio Update, but it failed to install. So I figured, there must be a proper sequence to the installation. Hope someone can shed some light on this. I actually want to keep most of the Vaio programs but can't figure out the order and interdependencies.

I also want to re-install the Photoshop and Premiere bundled software but can't see them in the recovery menu. Actually, from that list the only obvious ones that I'll be avoiding are the McAfee Security Center and Vaio Gate. There must be a few others in that list I should avoid so as not to accidentally re-install Norton, Webroot and MS Office; but I can't tell which ones.

At this point I thought I might be better off doing a full recovery and uninstalling since it seemed it was only McAfee and Vaio Gate that was going to be exempted with a manual re-install. So I did a full recovery, partly because I feared I had lost Photoshop.

Not surprisingly, a boatload of unwanted stuff came back with the full recovery and ironically, I am now unsure what I can uninstall safely. Even if I did figure that out, I really would prefer a build up approach vs. a subtractive one so as to have a clean registry. I don't trust the uninstallers to completely remove stuff (btw, I couldn't find the Vaio Uninstaller which was supposed to come with Windows 7 Vaio's).

This is what's installed after the full recovery:
View attachment VaioZ115-Installed Programs.pdf
I've highlighted which ones I don't want to keep and which ones I'm not sure of. I want to give this semi-clean install another try, so I hope someone could provide a bit more instruction on step 8 and hopefully some info on the program choices.

Many thanks.

 

If I plan on just formatting and re-installing windows 7 on my z will i have any troubles?

 

I can't comment on which VAIO software you should keep or uninstall because that's completely down to which ones you need for your personal uses.

But the order for the VAIO interdependant software, restarting between installing each:

Sony Firmware Extension Parser
Sony Shared Library
Setting Utility Series
VAIO Event Service

These will get you your Fn (brightness, volume etc) key functionality.

The order isn't too important from here, but I'd go:

VAIO Control Center
VAIO Power Management (if you want battery care)

Then you can install whatever you want - Care, Smart Network etc if you have uses for them.

VAIO Update is a pain to get installed in my experience, it isn't really worth it to me as I'd rather just manually check for updates than have another background service running.

But if you really want it, I found the only way to get it to install was to grab VAIO Update 5 from the support site rather than installing the original version from the recovery centre.

 

Thanks Mythdat.
I noted Sony Firmware Extension Parser is a driver. Is it the only driver left out from the semi-clean install or do I also need to reinstall the other drivers (eg. chipset, graphics etc.)? I thought the semi-clean install would already have installed the essential drivers.

Also, where might I find the Photoshop installer? It's not showing up under Recovery Center.

 

Drivers are all already installed and you're probably right that SFEP is too, I think it shows up in Add/Remove programs if it's installed.

I don't know about Photoshop, sorry, I didn't order it with my laptop. Does it have a product key that you can transfer to your own installation? Maybe if you create the recovery DVDs from factory restored state rather than using the recovery folder it'll be on those

 

anyone?

 

It's not really related to this thread, but if you check the "popular and useful threads" sticky in this forum, you'll find Win 7 install guides for the Z, or here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/467565-vaio-z-vpcz1-clean-install.html

 

I installed a nifty program called Autoruns to have a one-stop shop for viewing installed drivers and services. Indeed, SFEP was already installed, but when I couldn't find any mention of a wireless driver, it got me thinking the amount of drivers installed were suspiciously few.

So I did a full re-install, ran Autoruns again and used its compare function to see what drivers were present in the factory install vs semi-clean. Sure enough, there were a ton of additional drivers, but notably, some "essential" drivers were missing from the semi-clean install: wireless, synaptics touchpad, realtek HD. This made me reconsider whether I wanted to stick with this semi-clean process. Of course it can be remedied, but without readily knowing what was missing, it may take a more or less complete re-install of the factory driver set.

At this point, I reconsidered just uninstalling stuff from the factory install. Got RevoUninstaller and it handily took out Norton, McAfee, and Webroot. I then took out the MSOffice trial and its various components, as well as MS Live Essentials. After Revo used the default uninstallers for the respective programs, it alerted me to tons of "leftovers" in the registry and program file directories. Given that this was the advertised added benefit of Revo, I told it to get rid of the leftovers.

This was were things went wrong. After I quit Revo and rebooted, I tried to install 7zip and CCleaner, both of which I've successfully installed previously. This time, both failed to install citing the windows installer was not working. I tried opening the Revo pdf help file to see how I can undo things, but to my surprise Adobe Reader wouldn't open either. I can only surmise that Revo took out some shared components during its leftover cleaning which wrecked the registry and removed some important program files. In retrospect, I probably should've used just the "safe" setting for Revo instead of the "advanced" leftover scanning option. I would also think twice about using Revo on MS programs and just use their default uninstallers then perhaps follow up with CCleaner to tidy up the registry.

I then had no choice but to do another recovery. I planned to do another semi-clean but got distracted and when I went back to my laptop, Vaiorecv was already running and already installing Sony Shared Library. I let it, then it went on to install a few more stuff which looked essential anyway. I was about to stop it when it started to install Photoshop, so I decided to wait a bit longer so long as it was installing stuff I believe I could live with.

I stopped it around 70% when it was installing Windows Live Essentials, and it then went on to finalize the recovery process. After the usual windows initialization, I rebooted once more just to make sure all installations and settings were finalized. I checked Task Manager and it told me I had 49 processes, which wasn't bad at all compared to the factory default of 98, and only a bit more than my previous semi-clean attempt which yielded 33. Excitedly, I checked which programs were installed and sure enough Photoshop was there plus flash, some java stuff and the C++ redistributable as gravy. Better yet, no sign of Norton, McAfee, Webroot, MSOffice, Windows Live and absolutely no Vaio programs!

I fired up Autoruns again and found that this time wireless, synaptics and realtek HD were now installed, and compared to the factory install roster, the only thing missing was an Arcsoft driver for the webcam and a bunch of McAfee drivers. So basically, a complete essential driver set. Looking at the installed services, 12 out of 45 (in the factory install) were there and they are what I would consider essential, while the 33 left out were clearly related to McAfee, MSOffice and Vaio programs.

I am obviously very pleased with this latest base install. What's left is to cherry pick and install some of the Vaio stuff I want from the recovery center, and a couple of the bundled software (evernote and webcam companion). I was able to extract the latter from the hidden partition using mod2wim which I found elsewhere in these forums.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope sharing my experience might be of some help to others. The main discovery here is that it matters when you kill Vaiorecv (or launcher.exe) in step 5. Kill it too soon and some needed drivers might be left out, too late and it might install some stuff you don't want. I would suggest doing a full reinstall dry run and taking note of the sequence of installations. One can then make tradeoffs as to what programs to allow installation (possibly for later removal) so as to get to some of the essential and/or desirable stuff to be included in the installation (eg. some bundled software), and therefore plan on exactly when to kill the installer. I killed mine at around 70% so I'm calling it a "3/4 install" as opposed to semi-clean.

I'm thinking of redoing this and pushing it a bit further. Maybe only stop it when I see either Norton, McAfee, Webroot or MSOffice being installed. But before I do that, I'll make a backup image of this one, in case I was just really lucky with this latest install

 

Glad this thread popped up again. Just wanted to say thanks to all those who explored this and kept it updated.

It worked a treat on my VPC_S11V9E. I had no missing drivers and no bloat (except a couple of Vaio apps I chose). Joy.

 

PJF, Glad to hear.

My CR is still running like a charm!

 

I've been attempting to do this on my new EB series (VPCEB26FX), but have gotten a bit stuck. I got up to step 8, but it looks like in the new Windows 7 machines all of the recovery is done through the Vaio Care application.

Before doing the clean install, I backed up the Vaio Care directory, and I'm able to run it on the newly formatted machine. The only problem is, I can't seem to figure out how to install the drivers and applications. Under the "Recovery and Restore" tab, the only option is to restore windows from a previous restore point (which is obviously not what we need). Am I missing something? Is it possible that I didn't back up the correct files, or killed the installing process too early?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

The folder you need to back up is called VAIO RECOVERY. It's in Program Files (x86)/SONY. You don't need to back up VAIO Care.

Once you've copied the VAIO RECOVERY folder back onto your newly formatted setup, just double click the file "VAIORecv.exe" that's in the folder and it will access all the necessary data from the recovery partition.