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Microsoft Tests New Tool To Remove OEM Crapware (arstechnica.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the start-with-a-clean-slate dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Windows 10 already includes ways to clear out applications and data to repair misbehaving systems or prepare them to be sold, courtesy of the Refresh and Reset features added in Windows 8. Microsoft is now adding a third option: a new refresh tool. Currently available only for Windows Insiders, the new tool fetches a copy of Windows online and performs a clean installation. The only option is whether or not you want to preserve your personal data. Any other software that's installed will be blown away, including the various applications and utilities that OEMs continue to bundle with their systems. Ars Technica points out that the tool isn't perfect. For example, "it installs a preview build from the fast track, but Microsoft notes that the new tool can sometimes install a version older than the one currently installed. When this kind of version mismatch occurs, the option to preserve your files is removed."

1 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. Install Experience by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Tried to install a "clean" windows install:

    Install Windows ISO
    Network on MB not working - go to linux PC and download 200Mb network package - transfer over USB stick
    Sound not working - download 500Mb driver package
    Video not optimal - download 500Mb driver package
    Install Microsoft office - get another DVD
    Download Firefox
    Download vlc
    more hard ware unrecognized - download 1gb of other drivers:
                    -chipset drivers
                    -hardware monitoring drivers
    Download 500Mb of BT,WiFI drivers and install

    My Recent Linux Mint "Clean" install experience:

    -Insert DVD and install

    -Install Linux Mint
    -Video Works out of box
    -Sound works out of box
    -Network works out of box
    -WLAN works out of box
    -BT works out of box
    -Firefox already installed

    -apt-get install vlc
    -configure qemu - run windows for office in virtual environment

    I will admit, the install for WIndows on the virtual size was dead easy. MSFT software works great on virtual hardware, it's simple, has the drivers built in and can't mess up your real hardware / files.

    The count:

    Linux: 1 DVD + a few hundred mb of downloads
    Windows: 1 DVD, Driver DVD, a few Gb of download for drivers IF the network works