Reformatting a Laptop

[Zerole]

Thank you so much. That did the trick, instead of doing a clean install I guess I'll just manually uninstall all the crap that comes with the factory settings.

[CherylG]

You're welcome, happy to hear it worked for you. Please take a minute to mark the post that solves your problem with 'Accept as Solution'. May not see it from iPhone on mobile version of forum.

[Zerole]

No problem. Just one last question if you don't mind. So I was uninstalling some of the junk programs that come with the factory settings and I happened upon a folder labeled "Shared" within the "HP" folder. It seems to have some executable files in it, along with some eBay/Snapfish Desktop shortcuts housed there - can I just delete this folder or are some associated programs I should uninstall? I didn't see anymore in the Control Panel but I really want to get rid of any advertisements/clutter.

[CherylG]

Snapfish is the Picture Mover app, did you uninstall it? If so it is safe to delete it. I think most of the stuff like eBay is just shortcuts to ebay site that are usually placed on the desktop. Where are you seeing the folder? I don't have it on my Windows 7 Desktop, would have to startup the laptop to look for it.

[CherylG]

Found one on my desktop in C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Shared. I have only one file an exe.

[Zerole]

Snapfish and eBay were both shortcut links on my Desktop but the took me to the same location when I Right-Clicked and selected "Open File Location". I don't believe it's installed on my computer since I didn't see it on the list of Add/Remove programs, I wasn't sure if it was something like Internet Explorer though (which came installed but wasn't on the list either). The "Shared" file is located in Local Disk (C -> Program Files (x86) -> Hewlett-Packard -> Shared

[CherylG]

Does your model have the option in Recovery for doing a 'Minimized Image Recovery? Some newer models do.It is a stripped down install with only basic drivers and software installed instead of everything.

Look in the Start All programs list for HP Recovery Manager to check it out.

[Zerole]

Nope and I just got this laptop in June 2011.

[CherylG]

Not all models include it.My desktop doesn't either.

Ok, found the folder on mine. There are a lot of .dll files there.Don't think I would delete that entire folder.Dll files are used to run a lot of stuff on a system. The folder on mine is only 2.78 mb so not gaining much space with deleting.

[CherylG]

Good news is now  you will be able to tap F11 and start a reinstall when/if needed.And you can also burn your OS Recovery DVD set using HP Recovery Manager that can boot the machine and reinstall,even to a new hdd.

I wrote a little guide on other option because I usually remove all of the bloatware too and prefer to restore an Image rather than do a reinstall from Recovery Manager. You might want to take a look as an alternative.Custom Recovery Options

Both of the options I mention are freeware.I like Macrium so well that I did buy the pro version but find that I really don't use most of the extra features.Free version is excellent software for Imaging. Better known names are Acronis True Image,BootIt NG, etc but I like Macrium.