How often do you reinstall windows?

[_bobcat_ Veteran]

I don't really know. Once I have my computer set up how I like I don't need to be reinstalling all the time.

Edit: title edited. :)

Edited December 29, 2009 by Laura

[ReDFoX2200]

win7 3-6 months

back in 1994 with windows 3.11 I used to format almost 3 times a DAY!! I had noting to do other than installing dos and windows 3.11. I used to edit system files testing what is going to happen, and usually causes the system not to boot :)

(since then I started learning programming I miss QBassic )

Edited December 29, 2009 by ReDFoX2200

[insomniac9]

About once a year

[sw1tch..]

Too much... I think I have OCD :rofl:

[RoomKid]

I've been formatting a lot last time, now I do but rarely. I'll say every 3 months :|

[Ash]

Back in the Win 98 days, about once a week

After XP came out, about once every 2 weeks to a month.

After XP SP2 1-6 months.

Ever since I started using ESET Internet Security Suite, I have been going 2 years and 2 weeks since my last format.

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

I used to reinstall XP quite regularly since I seemed to have a habit of screwing it up royally. Since Vista (and now 7) though, I've not had to reinstall at all, I find that they clean up quite well after themselves.

Just maintain your OS well (use CCleaner, defrag, update drivers, install updates, disable unnecessary startup items, etc) and you'll never have a problem in my experience.

[devHead]

About every 6 to 7 months. But I'm more careful now with Windows 7 and what extraneous apps I install, so I'm hoping to go at least a year with this installation. 7 is much better than XP was; it doesn't slow down over time like XP did.

[insanelyapple]

from my own knowledge, most problems with windows comes from "rotten" user profile and its always better to create new account first, then optionally reinstall windows.

anyway, about once a year - only if something very bad happened and creating new profile, moving files doesnt help.

2007 was first year without reinstalling windows (xp) lol... and im proud of that:p

[Tech-nerd]

I'm reinstalling 7 now from rc but keep vista but after six seven months I'll upgrade completely to seven

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

You know, there's a curve whereby people know nothing, and admit it - so they try to fix an issue. Then they learn about reformatting, and use it to resolve every little issue. Then there comes this belief that reformatting every x months as preventative maintenance.

Now I have not formatted a computer in about 2 years, except when doing a clean OS install. No need...

[Jen Smith]

Depends on the machine.

My main system has XP. Only been reinstalled once due to a motherboard/CPU upgrade, otherwise the only time that was done in three years. Zero issues/crapware in that time. (Common sense, Sandboxie and a VM are wayyy better than any security app slowing your system to a crawl any day.)

Two running Win2K3 Server, one running BSD, and one running Arch Linux. They haven't been reinstalled in forever either as they're my work machines.

My test machine usually gets reformatted every couple days with some new random *Nix distro to toy with. Currently it's running Windows 7, which I'm really liking. Probably going to put that on my main system once Service Pack 1 comes out.. mostly a matter of lazyness, I have near a terabyte of crap to move first, and I really don't feel like doing it lol. (I like 7, but not that much.)

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

I have near a terabyte of crap to move first, and I really don't feel like doing it

I feel your pain!

[+Warwagon MVC]

I never understand the people who have to reinstall their OS every 2, 3, 6 months or every year. I mean if you try a lot of beta stuff and your system is faulty because of that then ok. I am running windows 7 64bit on a new i920. My Computer system is already 1 year old. I did reinstall windows due to installing windows 7. I do not plan on reinstalling windows "Just for the hell of it". I'm not going to reinstall every year just to speed up my computer, that's retarded. The computer I built back in 2004 ran with the same windows installation up until 2007. No Need to format that often.

[cyrl]

When i had xp alot! like two or three times a week vista well changed for like months and 7 well after i installed the rtm i have no plan of installing cause its another mess to reinstall the stuff again:S

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

You're doing it wrong if you have to re-install Windows more than once every few years if you ask me.

[Prince Charming]

I don't, and I won't. There is no need. Hell, when Windows 8 rolls around, upgrade time. Really no need to format clean for an OS upgrade, and absolutely no need to format clean periodically to 'improve system performance', because that's utter rubbish and about as useful as hanging some garlic around your computer.

[brentaal]

I don't intend on reinstalling Win 7 unless some ****storm ensues.

[Knife Party]

just reinstalled from RC to RTM, usually only reinstall when a service pack comes along

[+Warwagon MVC]

You're doing it wrong if you have to re-install Windows more than once every few years if you ask me.

Agree'ed.

When i had xp alot! like two or three times a week

:laugh: Seriously dude, lets not be putting any blame on XP for that.

[apple jacks48]

Never, I don't see a reason too.

[pablotrabucco]

6 months.

[CrashG]

Only when necessary, like a major hardware upgrade or something.

[azure.sapphire]

My god, please tell me that when you install a fresh system it is from a image backup? I didn't realize people actually do completely clean installs after a first round of installs with a new OS. I was creating a good image with core utilities and programs of the OS back in the Win2k days. I do for the most part understand a fresh install upon getting a new OS... not really sure if there is a benefit for service releases anymore though.

[_neutrino Veteran]

Usually every six months or so. However on my Windows 7 machine i want to let it go a year or so just to see how well it holds up.