What version of Windows 10 on a laptop should I install after a wipe of the computer?

[mrje1]

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@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

Hi:

I have always deleted the partitons via the Windows installation media.

With the recovery media you created, as I wrote the other day, you will have to see what options you have.

With all of mine, I had no options...boot from the HP recovery media and follow the onscreen instructions which were basically 'if you proceed, all data will be lost.  Click next.'

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Thank you! The only thing about the factory recovery media is that it will still install everything from my new experience the past week, so I might have to skip this one.

I would have to look at our conversation history so sorry if I repeat here if we did talk about it. 

If I were to sell my laptop in the future or give it away what would be the securist method, Deleting partitions via the Windows installation media or wiping software or commands like Dispart in Windows that wipes the drive with 0's to secure erase or do they both do a great job of doing so?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I've never secure erased anything.

I just deleted partitions and factory reset the PC, then gave it away.

Either that, or I removed the hard drives and gave them away, smashed the drives repeatedly with a hammer and tossed it in the trash.

[mrje1]

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@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

I've never secure erased anything.

I just deleted partitions and factory reset the PC, then gave it away.

Either that, or I removed the hard drives and gave them away, smashed the drives repeatedly with a hammer and tossed it in the trash.

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Thank you for all the great info and helping me understand this process. I am feeling comfortable all round and ready to complete this task. I'll keep you posted. Thank you for hanging in there with me. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

[mrje1]

Good Afternoon Paul,

I am in the midst of installing drivers. Not sure about these, what are your thoughts about reinstalling these? Do I really need it? Thank you again for your continued help. I am very grateful.

Driver-Chipset

1. Intel Chipset Installation Utility and Driver (Windows 10 v1709/v1803)
2. Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework Client Driver (Windows 10 v1709/v1803)
3. Intel Serial IO Driver - Gemini Lake (Windows 10 v1709/v1803)
4. Intel Trusted Execution Engine Interface Driver - Gemini Lake (Windows 10 v1709/v1803)

 Diagnostic

1. HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI
2. HP Windows Hardware Diagnostics

Firmware-Chipset

1. HP Consumer Desktop / Notebook PC ME Firmware Update

Software-Solutions

1. HP Support Assistant
2. HP System Event Utility

Utility-Tools

1. HP Connection Optimizer

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You should install all of the drivers you listed under Chipset.

Diagnostics.  I never have installed those.

Firmware--read what the ME firmware update does.

If it is extremely important, you may want to.

If not, don't.

I am usually leery about installing firmware updates.

They are not driver updates and if something goes wrong, or the PC performs worse afterward, there are no do-overs.

You need the System Event Utility for some of the Fn keys to work.

The HPSA is completely optional.   I have used it a couple of times to do PC tuneups and check for driver updates, but that is up to you.  I currently only have that installed on one of my PC's, and that is because HP Orbit required the HPSA be installed.

I was testing out HP Orbit for another forum member and I will probably uninstall both of those apps after a short while.

Connection Optimizer...not necessary.

[mrje1]

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@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

Hi:

You should install all of the drivers you listed under Chipset.

Diagnostics.  I never have installed those.

Firmware--read what the ME firmware update does.

If it is extremely important, you may want to.

If not, don't.

I am usually leery about installing firmware updates.

They are not driver updates and if something goes wrong, or the PC performs worse afterward, there are no do-overs.

You need the System Event Utility for some of the Fn keys to work.

The HPSA is completely optional.   I have used it a couple of times to do PC tuneups and check for driver updates, but that is up to you.  I currently only have that installed on one of my PC's, and that is because HP Orbit required the HPSA be installed.

I was testing out HP Orbit for another forum member and I will probably uninstall both of those apps after a short while.

Connection Optimizer...not necessary.

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Thank you very much again! Awesome.

I forgot to mention this. I ended up using the diskpart method "clean all" to do a more secure erase. I felt for the first time to do that. For future, if needed, I will reset the PC the way you do it by clean install "delete partition"

As for the HP Drivers & Sofware:

First, any of the drivers and software labeled 1709, I don't need to bother with those or should I still install them on the ones we discussed and others, correct?

Chipset: Will do. Now, for the chipset, is there away I can view the version numbers on my laptop?

Firmware: Will withhold. Not sure if it is extremely important or not. I agree with what you said. I feel the same way. Is there away to view the version numbers on my laptop?

What is HP Orbit and what does it do? Should I install it? If so, where do I get it?

Now the ones you said were optional, if I decided to install them will they be like bloatware and slow down my computer. Also, are they like spyware or somthing like that or can they spy on your computer?

Thank you again and my name is Jeff by the way. I hope your day is full of blessing!

[mrje1]

I forgot to mention what about the bios

How do you feel about updating the bios to the newer version.

My curren version is: Insyde F.05 4-9-18

The one listed on the website is: F.11 Rev.A Jun 29, 2018

Driver-Storage

What about Alcor Micro Card Reader Driver (Windows 10 v1709/v1803)?

Thank you again!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Jeff.

BIOS:

Read what the update fixes or enhances.  If your notebook is running fine, I would not take the risk.

Alcor Micro Card Reader Driver -- yes, that needs to be installed.

If there is a corresponding W10 v1803 driver, then you don't need to install the 1709 versions.

HP orbit is a file sharing program between networked PC's and andriod/Apple devices such as cell phones or tablets.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05084237

I don't believe the applications are spyware, and if you set the programs not to run during startup, then they shouldn't slow down the PC.  If there is no setting to do so, run the MSConfig utility, startup tab, click on task manager and disable any unnecessary programs from running.

If you want Orbit, let me know because you need a file from HP and a file from a 3rd party website since HP has discontinued the app for android.  Fortunately, I found a 3rd party site that has the Orbit APK.

[mrje1]

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@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

You're very welcome, Jeff.

BIOS:

Read what the update fixes or enhances.  If your notebook is running fine, I would not take the risk.

Alcor Micro Card Reader Driver -- yes, that needs to be installed.

If there is a corresponding W10 v1803 driver, then you don't need to install the 1709 versions.

HP orbit is a file sharing program between networked PC's and andriod/Apple devices such as cell phones or tablets.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05084237

I don't believe the applications are spyware, and if you set the programs not to run during startup, then they shouldn't slow down the PC.  If there is no setting to do so, run the MSConfig utility, startup tab, click on task manager and disable any unnecessary programs from running.

If you want Orbit, let me know because you need a file from HP and a file from a 3rd party website since HP has discontinued the app for android.  Fortunately, I found a 3rd party site that has the Orbit APK.

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Awesome Paul! Thank you again! 

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The bios enhancement is: Provides support for Windows 10 v1803. (That is all I found, is that worthy enough to to take the risk?)

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When it comes to the 1709 versions for example the chipset:

Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI) Driver - Kaby Lake (Windows 10 v1709)

I didn't notice any other versions of this one for example. My guess would be to install it, How am I doing so far?

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Orbit:  I think this can come in handy for me. I will give it a shot. Thank you for offering. I have an iPhone, so that is good. Overall, is this product discontinued or are they still going to update it?

Thank you for the rest of the info. Helped!