Reinstalling Windows

[bhamil77]

I have had some confusing bits of advice over the last few days about when one should reinstall Windows on a machine. I have heard everything from you really never need to install, all the way to every three months. I have been running Windows Vista Ultimate 64 Bit for about three years without reinstalling it once. Is there a recommended frequancy for reinstalling, and are there any benifits? Thanks!

[glc]

Nope, you reinstall if you have problems that can't be solved any other way. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[bhamil77]

glc,

Thanks for the quick reply! Sounds like I will continue leaving it alone.

[strollin]

I've never understood those that say to reinstall at certain intervals like every 3 months or once per year. I agree with glc, only need to reload if it's broke. I have a couple of 8 year old machines that I have never reloaded and they continue to run fine.

[glc]

Reinstalling periodically is a throwback to Windows 95/98, which actually did need it from time to time.

[jdeb]

If you need to clean things up then a program like CCleaner can help you tremendously. It is easy and safe to use. They also make a program call defraggler which by by running both of those, can clear up many issues and speed the PC up if needed. You may have to run the registry cleaner in CCleaner several times until no issues are found and your good to go.

The free version is all you need

CCleaner - Download

Defraggler - Download

[David M]

Broke or running unacceptably slow (and un-fixable)....in my opinion.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by David M Broke or running unacceptably slow (and un-fixable)....in my opinion.

There is nothing wrong with Vista, it works fine. I actually prefer it over Windows 7

[seagull]

Originally Posted by jdeb There is nothing wrong with Vista, it works fine. I actually prefer it over Windows 7

I second that !!!!! I have Vista and 7 . Why are people down on Vista I love it

[bhamil77]

Thanks everyone for the comments! And thank you jdeb for those links, I installed and ran them, and my computer is running better. I also found out that the guy that told me to reinstall every 3-4 weeks runs his computer with no firewall and no antispyware/antivirus software because he does not like the way they slow his computer down. Makes no sense to me, but there it is.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by bhamil77 Thanks everyone for the comments! And thank you jdeb for those links, I installed and ran them, and my computer is running better. I also found out that the guy that told me to reinstall every 3-4 weeks runs his computer with no firewall and no antispyware/antivirus software because he does not like the way they slow his computer down. Makes no sense to me, but there it is.

some people