DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

how often do u guys format and reinstall your OS

38 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/how-often-do-u-guys-format-and-reinstall-your-os.135134/

R2K
R2K Original post #1
Dec 17, 2010 at 9:06 PM
I used to format my pc and reinstall os every month :grin:.....but Now its 6 months since my last OS reinstallation....and everything seems to be going fine now....:grin:
So how often do u guys reinstall the OS on ur pc.:)
cute.bandar
Dec 17, 2010 at 9:38 PM
To find when you installed your system .
Win+R > cmd > type systeminfo|find/i"install date" , hit enter.
Mine is :
Original Install Date: 28/04/2008, 08:43:49
Faun
Faun #3
Dec 17, 2010 at 9:39 PM
I don't like reinstalling anymore. Only during major version releases for Ubuntu.

Installed Ubuntu 10.10 after a long one year gap.
6x6
6x6 #4
Dec 17, 2010 at 9:50 PM
^ same here, i install ubuntu after 6 or 12 months
P
pikachu #5
Dec 17, 2010 at 11:46 PM
Win+R > cmd > type systeminfo|find/i"install date" , hit enter.
i got this result:

Loading Operating System Information ...
ERROR: Class not registered.
hot zubs
Dec 18, 2010 at 10:59 PM
when i was using windows Xp i use to reinstall every month, but now with windows 7 its been 4 months now :p
ithehappy
Dec 18, 2010 at 11:32 PM
I don't know why should I format and re-install my OS? Well haven't done it in a year or more, I forgot basically.
D
Deleted member 26636 #8
Dec 18, 2010 at 11:43 PM
running windows 7 ultimate & haven't formatted in the last 6 months..
ajai5777
Dec 19, 2010 at 2:23 PM
^^^^
For me too.Win 7 ultimate 64 bit.No reinstalls after that.I am using avast 5 home as antivirus.
S
Dec 19, 2010 at 3:24 PM
when i was using windows Xp i use to reinstall every month, but now with windows 7 its been 4 months now :p


Same here...With the win 7 i hardly need to reinstall my O.S.Last time i install was 6 months before...Win 7 is more Stable & Secure than win xp
cute.bandar
Dec 19, 2010 at 5:47 PM
btw is there any linux person here who hasn't had to reinstall their OS for the past 1-1.5 years ?
T
techani #12
Dec 19, 2010 at 6:40 PM
I install xp after about every 3-6 months.
CA50
CA50 #13
Dec 19, 2010 at 8:22 PM
here is mine
Original Install Date: 7/25/2010, 9:38:27 AM

I usually install OS after some hardware change.
rockfella
rockfella #14
Dec 20, 2010 at 2:53 AM
I used to install XP almost every 4th day before i started using windows 7 in may/april last year. yeah i was learning and was nuts too. 7 i install once a month or so. still nuts?
skeletor
skeletor #15
Dec 20, 2010 at 3:17 AM
My primary machines hardly ever face any reinstallation.

Old machine: Windows XP since 3 years. Ubuntu since 2 years.

Laptop: Windows 7 and Ubuntu running since I installed them a year ago. Arch was wiped off and reinstalled by me a couple of times.

Mac mini: Snow Leopard running since I bought my Mac and Windows 7 too. (1 year ago)
Coool
Coool #16
Dec 20, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Over 1year...still going strong:D
nims11
nims11 #17
Dec 20, 2010 at 12:15 PM
last week, got a virus from my computer lab and i had turned off my AV. tried two different online scans but no difference, ultimately had to format and reinstall.
LOST MY UBUNTU WHICH WAS INSTALLED THRU WUBI :(
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #18
Dec 20, 2010 at 12:37 PM
I used to format my pc and reinstall os every month

every month...then u must remember the OS CD-Key..lolz....

Well i formatted my pc 2months back with Windows 7 x64...& m happy dat
its free from boot file corruption as in XP....
khmadhu
khmadhu #19
Dec 20, 2010 at 2:30 PM
in Office I am using ubuntu from last 1 year, no re installation only upgraded to 10.10 :)

in home I hardly reinstall, becoz. I use imaging concept, which is far better than reinstalling. system will be ready in 10 minutes!! with all the required applications installed :)
R2K
R2K #20
Dec 24, 2010 at 12:00 PM
every month...then u must remember the OS CD-Key..lolz....

....

lol
no i have an OEM disc and there is no need of cd key for that....:grin:
rhitwick
rhitwick #22
Dec 24, 2010 at 1:25 PM
I've installed Win7 64bit 4 months back that to install Kies....

Prior to that I had WinXP in my system. XP was installed on May 2008 when I bought this system...never a problem or BSOD.

I think, if u r playing safe with ur PC and use proper antivirus programs, u might not need to reinstall OS frequently.

I remember in my college days, due to a faulty RAM I had to install XP twice everyday, then install Java, then practice some programming...was a routine for me. (n00b of me as I checked everything for a problem but the RAM)

Once a frnd of me asked him to show how to install Java (we had just started Java then) and I started installing XP. He was so shocked...that he needs to format his PC to install Java. It took me couple of moments to make him understand that I'm not giving him half info or hiding any secret settings to run Java smoothly :D
Romonster
Romonster #23
Dec 24, 2010 at 9:45 PM
^^^ Dedication.......

When I first got my hands on XP, i used to reinstall it every week but then i got bored after a few weeks...:lol:

Now i installed xp, installed essential programs, tweaked it to perfection and made image of my drive using Macrium Reflect and burned it to a DVD.
Whenever i feel like formatting i just restore the image and everything is fine under 10 minutes :D
Ishu Gupta
Dec 25, 2010 at 2:16 AM
Since 9/12/09.
W7 Ultimate.

Going to reinstall very soon.
P
Dec 27, 2010 at 12:23 PM
About 1 yr ago i need to format it every 2 weaks but now i use XP+7+ubuntu for 2 months.
But i am gonna reinstall these 3 on 1 JAN.

About 1 yr ago i need to format it every 2 weaks but now i use XP+7+ubuntu for 2 months.
But i am gonna reinstall these 3 on 1 JAN.
papul1993
papul1993 #26
Dec 27, 2010 at 2:24 PM
btw is there any linux person here who hasn't had to reinstall their OS for the past 1-1.5 years ?

two years. But I messed something so had to reinstall. But the current archlinux installation on my new computer was installed on march this year. Planning not to reinstall again as long as I can.
pulkitpopli2004
Dec 27, 2010 at 2:39 PM
i format on yearly basis. bt ma last format was after .2 n half yr for win xp.....
_
_VascoZ_ #28
Dec 27, 2010 at 3:06 PM
Windows: I prefer 'repairing' instead of a fresh install everytime.

Linux: Only when there's a major release of Ubuntu.

OpenSolaris: Same as linux!
S
syed2011 #29
Dec 27, 2010 at 3:09 PM
twice in a year.
A
Dec 27, 2010 at 3:31 PM
I use Win XP and Fedora. I use Fedora mostly. But reinstall both Win XP and Fedora only when there is any major release of Fedora!!
I mean after every 6 months!! :)
IronCruz
IronCruz #31
Dec 27, 2010 at 7:12 PM
On an Avg once a month......
papul1993
papul1993 #32
Dec 28, 2010 at 9:13 AM
if you use a rolling linux distribution like archlinux or debian, you need not reinstall you os once every 6 months or so. For more info please search for rolling linux distributions. Also for the newbies to linux check out linux mint debian. Its also a rolling distro but comes preconfigured.
V
vav #33
Dec 28, 2010 at 11:10 AM
used 2 format it often
but now hardly format my Xp machine.
may be i am getting little lazy.thinking of installing win 7 for months
asingh
asingh #34
Dec 28, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Never. Only when I need to 'change the OS'. Major PITA installing all applications again. Specially games.
Ishu Gupta
Dec 28, 2010 at 12:46 PM
^
Create an image and use that instead of a clean install.
Or slipstream Software.


And I never re-install games. Install them on a separate partition, just create shortcuts when you format. Some games check for registry entries instead of recreating them though.
ithehappy
ithehappy #36
Dec 28, 2010 at 3:34 PM
cant believe so many people just reinstall the OS, its such a pain to reinstall OS and then install all the required applications. I dont remember when did I last actually reinstalled OS ....... I have always created full C image using Norton Ghost (DOS Version). Once the OS is installed with all the drivers, applications, browsers and every damm single thing I require I simply create a Norton Ghost image and keep it on my D drive. If things go wrong (which usually does after couple of months) all I do is format C: and reload my image. Brings back all my applications, drivers and every single thing I originally installed in just under 20 minutes ........ who cares to reinstall just the OS .....

All the data is safely stored in all other drivers .....
That's what I tried to say on #7. Buy an original OS, Internet Security/AV and done. No idea, why you need to re-install a OS. Jesus.
Liverpool_fan
Dec 28, 2010 at 4:05 PM
if you use a rolling linux distribution like archlinux or debian, you need not reinstall you os once every 6 months or so.
:| Debian ain't a rolling distro. Sure there's "sid" and Aptosid (Sidux), but you can't generalize and say Debian is a rolling distro. :/

For more info please search for rolling linux distributions. Also for the newbies to linux check out linux mint debian. Its also a rolling distro but comes preconfigured.
Yeah that's a good suggestion.
Ishu Gupta
Dec 28, 2010 at 6:36 PM
That's what I tried to say on #7. Buy an original OS, Internet Security/AV and done. No idea, why you need to re-install a OS. Jesus.

He is talking about image backup. :-o