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rubez · Post by **rubez** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 3:05 pm

I got a new laptop and was recommended to do a clean install to get rid of bloat ware. It is Dell / Alienware.

I have had Windows 10 on my pc for years but when I booted the laptop that comes with Windows 11 it forced me to sign into outlook to even proceed. I don't like that, is that mandatory?

There is no disc drive or anything but I would like to do a fresh install of Windows, how would I go about this please?

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 3:10 pm

rubez wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 3:05 pm I have had Windows 10 on my pc for years but when I booted the laptop that comes with Windows 11 it forced me to sign into outlook to even proceed. I don't like that, is that mandatory?

Yeah, it's mandatory since some versions of Windows 10 and 11. It's a Microsoft account, which also gives you an Outlook email adress, like Google and Apple do as well on their OS's.

You can download and create a USB installer here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/softwar ... /windows11 (under "Create Windows 11 installation media"). You also have to change a Boot setting in your BIOS/UEFI to be able to boot from USB. OR, you just create a DVD with the Microsoft tool, if your laptop has a DVD drive.

Also make sure you download all the drivers for your device from Dell's website. And remember not to download all that crapware, which you surely can download there as well.

Only install the drivers, and don't install any utilities, until they deem it absolutely necessary.

fmr · Post by **fmr** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 3:14 pm

chk071 wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 3:10 pm Also make sure you download all the drivers for your device from Dell's website. And remember not to download all that crapware, which you surely can download there as well. Only install the drivers, and don't install any utilities, until they deem it absolutely necessary.

AFAIK, if you are connected directly to the Internet (which will be convenient while installing the OS), the installer will take care of downloading all the updates and drivers necessary. No need to search for anything. At least that's my experience.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 3:21 pm

It depends. The drivers can be correct, but, if the hardware is custom hardware by the manufacturer, the drivers might not be optimal, and rather general purpose (not every manufacturer provides the drivers for use in Windows Update).

You never know, so, I always recommend to install the manufacturers drivers, even if those are a bit older.

Actually, what I'd even recommend is to install those before you connect to the internet in the setup dialogue after you installed Windows. There's a trick with a key combination which can be used to access the terminal where you can open the explorer, and install the drivers from there. I'm not sure if I would recommend it in this case though, it's a bit fiddly.

Another option would be to just let Windows install the drivers, but, you may end up with some unknown devices in the device manager then, which will be hard to identify.

rubez · Post by **rubez** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 6:29 pm

Hmm should i choose option 2 or 3?

create media installation media or

download windows ISO

I don't have a serial or anything...

lfm · Post by **lfm** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 7:47 pm

I would maybe look into uninstalling unwanted software instead.

Otherwise media installation would be to a usb stick you have, at least 8 GB free.
ISO I believe is to burn a dvd you need media for after download.

Unless you have a license serial number to register with the paperwork with laptop or something, I wonder how it will succeed. But might be part of UEFI bios and stored there, and no problem at all. Once activated at Microsoft account you will get a digital license on that account.
- if you already made that once before, seeing that same computer will activate using that

Here is tutorial how to install without product key
https://www.howtogeek.com/871189/you-ca ... oduct-key/

GaryG · Post by **GaryG** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 8:18 pm

My Dell has Windows in a recovery partition so I can just Reset My PC and it will reinstall Windows from there, can choose to wipe or keep personal docs, installed apps etc. In practice, I just uninstalled the Dell utilities and haven't had any issues (Win 11). More issues with Microsoft reinstalling Office demos...

As for having to sign in, there are hacks, things like turning off your wifi during installation to create a local account. But they're locking down all the time so... I dunno time to choose, use Windows on their terms (not an issue in my experience) or use Linux... I've never used outlook email or onedrive so it's not like your a slave to them (yet

)

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 8:49 pm

GaryG wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 8:18 pm My Dell has Windows in a recovery partition so I can just Reset My PC and it will reinstall Windows from there, can choose to wipe or keep personal docs, installed apps etc. In practice, I just uninstalled the Dell utilities and haven't had any issues (Win 11).

Maybe it's really better to do it that way. Otherwise you'd have to first do the setup of the pre-installed Windows, and log into your Microsoft account so that the license gets linked to your Microsoft account, and you can re-install.

Vocalpoint Studios · Post by **Vocalpoint Studios** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:33 pm

rubez wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 3:05 pm I got a new laptop and was recommended to do a clean install to get rid of bloat ware. It is Dell / Alienware.

I have had Windows 10 on my pc for years but when I booted the laptop that comes with Windows 11 it forced me to sign into outlook to even proceed. I don't like that, is that mandatory?

There is no disc drive or anything but I would like to do a fresh install of Windows, how would I go about this please?

Should be able to do a self guided "recovery" install via the Dell partition as others have noted - but that will most likely put the Dell image that is already bloatfilled back on.

And I do not believe you can simply just download a "clean" ISO and then try and use an OEM product key (which is most likely embedded in your BIOS) to activate it.

While I have never tried this - it does not sound like something Dell would allow - since that hardware (for driver support etc) will be expecting to work with the version of Windows that came with your device.

Win 10/Win 11 Home is a disaster for junk - you need to get up to Pro or Enterprise to regain any sanity.

VP

T-CM11 · Post by **T-CM11** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 9:15 am

Vocalpoint Studios wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:33 pm And I do not believe you can simply just download a "clean" ISO and then try and use an OEM product key (which is most likely embedded in your BIOS) to activate it.

While I have never tried this - it does not sound like something Dell would allow - since that hardware (for driver support etc) will be expecting to work with the version of Windows that came with your device.

Misinformation!
Any OEM license/hardware can be used with a clean ISO.

mcbpete · Post by **mcbpete** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:02 am

Vocalpoint Studios wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:33 pm Win 10/Win 11 Home is a disaster for junk - you need to get up to Pro or Enterprise to regain any sanity.

Misinformation #2 !
The home edition is the same as the pro version but with some features disabled (Group Policy Management, Bitlocker, Sandbox) so actually has less 'junk' to a non power-user/admin/tinkerer than the pro build.

Vocalpoint Studios · Post by **Vocalpoint Studios** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:41 am

mcbpete wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:02 amThe home edition is the same as the pro version but with some features disabled (Group Policy Management, Bitlocker, Sandbox) so actually has less 'junk' to a non power-user/admin/tinkerer than the pro build.

I meant crap like Candy Crush, 400 tiles on the Start Menu etc etc. Plus of course all the useful tools that you mentioned - conveniently disabled. Not to mention no ability to use a local acct or control Windows updates in a sane manner and on and on.

If you want pain - use Home.

VP

Vocalpoint Studios · Post by **Vocalpoint Studios** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:45 am

T-CM11 wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 9:15 amMisinformation!
Any OEM license/hardware can be used with a clean ISO.

Well - I did say I never tried it - so it has become "information" to me now.

So good to know

VP

mcbpete · Post by **mcbpete** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:51 am

Vocalpoint Studios wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:41 am I meant crap like Candy Crush, 400 tiles on the Start Menu etc etc.

Believe me that shite is on the Pro builds too

- https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-st ... -crapware/ (my last laptop was Win10 Pro pre-installed and had to spend a while uninstalling all that rubbish)

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 12:38 pm

Vocalpoint Studios wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:41 am I meant crap like Candy Crush, 400 tiles on the Start Menu etc etc.

No Candy Crash or "400 tiles" on my Windows 11 Home installation, and I haven't uninstalled anything pre-installed.

You may be talking about Windows 10. Yes, there are some games pre-installed, but, they can all be uninstalled.

OR, you may be talking about computers which come with a pre-installed Windows. I'd always recommend now to do a clean installation, that will also save you from all the manufacturer's pre-installed crap which only slows down the system.

Clean Windows 11 install no disc