When do you format ?
- Thread starter Plendakor
- Start date
I dont do it unless I have to, which so far has only been once. I don't routinely reformat at all, seems like alot of work imo. On a Mac I'd guess it's even less of an improvement.
Never.
On Windows, I'd say if you are confident enough to edit the registry, you might not have to completely format your computer in order for it to function properly. I understand W7+ handle the registry better as well, and version 8, despite the unnecessary quirks to it, is a lot more stable I hear.
On Windows, I'd say if you are confident enough to edit the registry, you might not have to completely format your computer in order for it to function properly. I understand W7+ handle the registry better as well, and version 8, despite the unnecessary quirks to it, is a lot more stable I hear.
Jind
Grrrr!!! (I'm a bear)
- Mar 7, 2009
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Like the others have mentioned, I'm unsure why one would randomly format their drive just for shits and giggles? Newer versions of Windows do a fine job keeping your drive defragmented, and there are a variety of tools readily available to ensure complete uninstallations and registry clean-ups to keep most systems in top running order.
While there once was a time when I rebuilt my systems almost yearly (with good backup procedures it was not a problem), but now see little reason to do it anymore.
While there once was a time when I rebuilt my systems almost yearly (with good backup procedures it was not a problem), but now see little reason to do it anymore.
Nuno Filipe
You talkin' to me?
I know a guy that formats from time to time. I am with sopulurn, I never format unless I have no other choice. In my old PC I have windows XP, dont format it for at least 5 years and it´s still running. Man I caught every kind of virus and malware but fortunetaly I always found a way to solve the problems. I deleted windows files, messed with the startup programs! ahah all kinds of shit just to not format the PC.
Loren Littlejohn
Lover of all boobage.
I never do either. Unless a drive crashes, then a fresh one will get reformatted before I start using it.
I took the advise of people here and bought some extra drives that I occasionally update so if a drive ever died I would just yank and switch. But when I buy new ones I format for OSX.
I took the advise of people here and bought some extra drives that I occasionally update so if a drive ever died I would just yank and switch. But when I buy new ones I format for OSX.
bryan_kilco
Member
I used CCleaner in the past for cleaning out shit files and registry fixes.
Recently, a friend told me that I shouldn't run registry fixes on a regular basis if nothing is really acting up or wrong because it may damage more than help.
Not sure how true that is.....?!?
I hate having to format and reinstall everything. There's always files that get lost or forgotten about that don't make the switch-over. I try to be very clean about my backups and I'll double/triple/quadruple check that I have "everything" I need for like multiple days before actually committing to the format...somehow still lose some things.
Recently, a friend told me that I shouldn't run registry fixes on a regular basis if nothing is really acting up or wrong because it may damage more than help.
Not sure how true that is.....?!?
I hate having to format and reinstall everything. There's always files that get lost or forgotten about that don't make the switch-over. I try to be very clean about my backups and I'll double/triple/quadruple check that I have "everything" I need for like multiple days before actually committing to the format...somehow still lose some things.
sprack
Thread Killer
kev
Im guybrush threepwood
On xp I used to have to do it all the time as it would frequently screw up. Since 7, I have only rebuilt once, and have survived on my current build since about 2010 now!
Cool command for you to paste into command window if you want to find out how long it's been since you installed windows:
systeminfo | find /i "install date"
Cool command for you to paste into command window if you want to find out how long it's been since you installed windows:
systeminfo | find /i "install date"
StefTD
Member
Windows never failed at me as long as I was the only user.
I like Linux, but I have to use loads of programs that don't run on Linux and the Open Source alternatives
aren't on par, but they're getting better for sure.
TheWinterSnow
Den Mørke Natt
Since I started building my own computers when I was a teenager the only time I ever format is when I install Windows on a brand new HDD. Never had an issue where registry cleaners and a system restore couldn't fix. The system restore in Windows 7 is easy as hell too so if you do have problems that require it, its pretty easy to do.
I wouldn't format just for shits and giggles because it "has been some time since I last formatted". A fresh start is only needed when something goes catastrophically wrong and should be a part of your normal maintenance routine. Doing that especially with SSDs is a quick way to wear out your HDD. You also should never defragment an SSD.
@Bryan_Kilco: Your friend is an idiot. You should regularly keep your registry clean. Sometimes though they can screw with certain files or programs, and that is usually a quick fix via google search. Can't say I have ever had that happen though.
I wouldn't format just for shits and giggles because it "has been some time since I last formatted". A fresh start is only needed when something goes catastrophically wrong and should be a part of your normal maintenance routine. Doing that especially with SSDs is a quick way to wear out your HDD. You also should never defragment an SSD.
@Bryan_Kilco: Your friend is an idiot. You should regularly keep your registry clean. Sometimes though they can screw with certain files or programs, and that is usually a quick fix via google search. Can't say I have ever had that happen though.
