Clean Install of New Dell Inspiron 2 in in

rosawoodsii · 30 Dec 2020

I was ready to do a clean install so I didn't have the bloatware that normally comes with a new computer, but have run into a couple of snags. When I booted from the USB drive and tried to install windows, it couldn't find a partition. Well, obviously there's a partition--two actually, since one is Dell's recovery parition (hidden--had to find it via Disk Management). Dell really doesn't want people doing clean installs.

So, I have two choices. I can either just remove the unwanted programs or I can find out how to do a clean install. I've already downloaded the drivers onto a separate flash drive, but I'm wondering whether it's even worth the effort. There doesn't seem to be a lot in the way of unwanted programs. I've already removed McAfee and a couple other minor programs and the only things that seem to be left are Dell's programs. Can anyone tell me which, if any, I should leave?

Most of the crapware is actually from Microsoft.

I'm also wondering if it would be worth it to optimize the disk when I'm done.

Windows Version 2004

ignatzatsonic · 30 Dec 2020

By definition: a clean install begins with deleting all partitions.

All partitions.

You should be shown a screen to do just that early in your clean install attempt from the install media.

You'd then be left with 100 percent "unallocated space". Tell Windows to install there.

It will make whatever partitions it sees fit.

When the install is apparently done, take a look at Windows Disk Management. You'll see several partitions.

NavyLCDR · 30 Dec 2020

What about this?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...9-e6f2b48d275e

rosawoodsii · 30 Dec 2020

ignatzatsonic said:

By definition: a clean install begins with deleting all partitions.
All partitions.
You should be shown a screen to do just that early in your clean install attempt from the install media.
You'd then be left with 100 percent "unallocated space". Tell Windows to install there.
It will make whatever partitions it sees fit.
When the install is apparently done, take a look at Windows Disk Management. You'll see several partitions.

So you think it's worth doing the clean install? I'll have to format the disk, as that's the only option that's really available. Apparently Dell has other options if I use their tool, but I don't want any unnecessary programs. OTOH, I'm leery of deleting anything that I need, since this has a touch screen. I downloaded the drivers onto a flashdrive, but I'm not sure which I'd need to restore.

ignatzatsonic · 30 Dec 2020

No, you won't have to format the disk if you do a clean install. The installer will do all of that.

You don't want any unnecessary programs.

How badly? To the point of thinking about it constantly? Laying awake at night?

Or not?

It's only speculation that you will notice any performance difference, but that may be the least of your worries.

Most likely, you won't be able to tell the difference between a clean install and proper housekeeping with the current install, but maybe that won't satisfy.

Ultimately, no one knows why you want a clean install.

You are taking some risk. Not large, but not zero. Maybe you lose touch screen. Maybe you lose a program you wish you'd kept. Maybe you can't immediately connect to the Internet.

Maybe you have X hours of frustration and ultimately succeed, but performance is identical. But you feel better because it's a clean install.

All of those are possible. You can't know without trying. More speculation.

The chances of any problems you encounter being unresolvable are near zero, but who knows what you think is "worth it".

Some would ask why are you volunteering for trouble....taking some unnecessary risk.

Are you a tinkerer by nature? Easily frustrated? Adventurous? Prone to awaken a sleeping dog?

On and on and on, but you get the picture.

jumanji · 30 Dec 2020

I entirely agree with ignatzatsonic above.

The final decision on it will be entirely yours.
My only recommendation now is that you create a recovery media now, so that if you get frustrated and forlorn in your attempt to get the clean install going, you have the means to restore the factory install.
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/e...-dell-computer

NavyLCDR · 30 Dec 2020

rosawoodsii said:

So you think it's worth doing the clean install? I'll have to format the disk, as that's the only option that's really available.

I'm just curious why you don't consider the Fresh Start to be an option?

rosawoodsii · 31 Dec 2020

To those who answered, thank you. :)
Yes, I am a tinkerer by nature. "What will happen if I do this?" "What will happen if I do that?" When this task is done, I'll take my old computer and load it with Linux. I used to work at AT&T in programming Unix, but that was a long time ago. Will I remember any of it? How close it Linux to Unix? If I look at the source code, will I remember C?

The DELL machine, btw, would not let me do a clean install unless I formatted. I chose not to until I thought about it a bit more. DELL, apparently, doesn't want anyone tinkering.

Actually, I am considering a reset. It may give me what I'm looking for, which is just to get rid of the extra, nonessential programs. Fluff, like games and Skype.

Thanks again

- - - Updated - - -

Well, a reset didn't work. It gave me back all the garbage like McAfee, Skype, Office 365 and so on. What a pain. Resetting on a Dell means everything they put on there to begin with. I wish I could say I'm surprised. I'm going to bite the bullet and download Dell's tool for a clean install and hope that gets rid of all that. I'll report back later.

Word Man · 31 Dec 2020

Why is Dell involved in this endeavor at all? At which point in the recommended clean install procedure, at this link:
Clean Install Windows 10
is Dell intervening and disallowing this clean install to proceed?

I agree that you should have either a complete (all partitions, hidden or not) image stored as a plan B and/or Dell recovery media, but the clean install should be done from Microsoft Windows install media that you have booted from. That's exactly what I did with my Dell laptop within about 2 weeks of unboxing it, albeit back in June 2015.