Fresh install on new laptop w/Win10-Home

Hello,

Just got a new Lenovo laptop with Win-10 Home to replace my older Win-7Pro laptop.

This laptop has a whole bunch of junk software that Lenovo has installed.

I was wondering what the best way is:
- backup the system so in case I need to, I can reset to factory configuration
- wipe out everything on HDD
- install Win-10 from scratch and only programs that I need

Any pointers/suggestions would be appreciated.

Final question - can I install Win-7 pro on this laptop with my older license (old laptop is no longer being used) and use the free upgrade to upgrade to Win-10 Pro?

Thank you for your assistance.

Thank you for your response.

dalchina said:

Hi,
1. Back up of everything: periodic disk imaging is the way to go.. I prefer Aomei Backupper (free is good)- many prefer the free version of Macrium Reflect although this lacks incremental imaging, being a version of an excellent commercial product.

I was rather thinking about using a method that used to be available earlier - Create System restore disks or restore files on a external HDD or something similar. But if that is not an option then using reflect might be the way to go.

dalchina said:

2. Try this to remove unwanted stuff conveniently:
The PC Decrapifier
(Says it works with Win 10)
I used it a long time ago.. a neat convenience tool.

Tool would be nice but doing a fresh install would be my preference.

dalchina said:

A clean install means getting and creating the installation medium and 2+ hours to install.

Time is not an issue. I can spend some time on this.

dalchina said:

I think the answer to your last is yes, unless it's an OEM license.

I don't think this is an OEM license but will check. Assuming by OEM license you mean a license that is similar to the license I have for my new win-10 home Lenovo laptop. Those licenses cannot be moved to another unit? Is that what you meant or did I misunderstand?

Thank you again for your suggestions.

If your old laptop came pre-installed with Win 7 Pro, you have an OEM license.
That license lives and dies with the laptop. It cannot be transferred to another computer.

davidhk said:

If your old laptop came pre-installed with Win 7 Pro, you have an OEM license.
That license lives and dies with the laptop. It cannot be transferred to another computer.

Got it. Thanks for the clarification.

nkaufman said:

Got it. Thanks for the clarification.

You are welcome.

Was looking at Lenovo website and manual and it seems that I can:


- Use Novo button to start Lenovo OneKey Recovery system
- Use System Backup to create a backup of System partition to an image file.
- wipe HDD and fresh install Windows


and if I want to revert back to factory configuration, then I can
- Create a D: partition of same size as the initial configuration
- Restore image that I made earlier of System Partition
- Now use Novo button to start Lenovo OneKey Recovery system
- Use System Recovery to restore to factory settings.


Any comments?


Thanks,

dalchina said:

Normal sort of options... a recovery partition.. which means you get your PC back exactly as you bought it, losing all else.
If you are confident younever want that option, and want some disk space back, you can delete the partition at some point.

I'd like to reclaim the space taken by System Partition (being used by Lenovo right now) but would like to make a backup in case I'd like to go back to factory configuration any time in future.

dalchina said:

You're best using a 3rd party disk imaging program for backups. (You can even make a backup of your recovery partition before deleting it :))

Best to create at least one partition where you store your own data/files/ photos/music .... away from the Windows partition. That gives a lot more freedom and security if you have to repair Windows or upgrade.

That was the plan. Make System backup. Wipe everything. Fresh install Windows and have a separate Data Partition for my data.

So my previous steps were if I wanted to get back the space taken by System Partition and the following steps would be if I kept System Partition
- wipe only C:\ of HDD keeping System Partition
- fresh install Windows, create 2 partitions - Programs and Data

and if I want to revert back to factory configuration, then I can
- Now use Novo button to start Lenovo OneKey Recovery system
- Use System Recovery to restore to factory settings.

Thanks for your input.

This is what I would do (and have done):

Make a complete disk image with Macrium Reflect Free (and make a Macrium Reflect Free rescue disk/usb).
Make a Windows 10 USB install USB/Disk.
Boot from the Windows 10 USB install USB/Disk.
Select the custom install option.
Delete all the existing partitions on the hard drive.
Point Windows 10 install to the unallocated space to install to.

Once you have home installed - trigger the upgrade to Pro by entering the generic Windows 10 Pro key that everyone gets when upgrading.

After the upgrade to Pro, activate it by entering your Windows 7 Pro product key.