Windows 8

[echo]

I saw this article and didn't see a Windows 8 thread, so now we have one. The headline made me think they were putting in something really useful, but having to reinstall 3rd party apps seems like it greatly diminishes the value.

Windows 8 Reset, Refresh Options Clean OS Crud

"We've built two new features in Windows 8 that can help you get your PCs back to a 'good' state when they're not working their best, or back to the 'factory state' when you're about to give them to someone else or decommission them," said Desmond Lee, a Windows program manager.

Hitting the Reset button will remove all personal data, apps, and settings from a PC, and will reinstall Windows from scratch. Activating the Refresh mode also reinstalls Windows, but preserves the user's personal data, most settings, and Metro-style apps. Third-party apps need to be reinstalled because "we do not want to reinstall 'bad' apps," said Lee.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/...tems/232301340

[bokiz333]

Originally Posted by echo

I saw this article and didn't see a Windows 8 thread, so now we have one. The headline made me think they were putting in something really useful, but having to reinstall 3rd party apps seems like it greatly diminishes the value.



http://www.informationweek.com/news/...tems/232301340

I actually like that part.

[Ron Weasley]

I don't know how they will execute this, but it sounds pretty good to me. It sounds like they've basically automated the worst part of the process I go through when I throw up my hands and "rebuild" my hard drive.

Also, this is similar to the process I go through with my linux box roughly every six months, though I expect that the technical details differ. Also, it's a great opportunity to decide if an application is really being used enough to be worth a spot on your system. In linux, reloading a boat load of applications is no real problem. (I just had to throw that last part in. )

[E]

Originally Posted by Ron Weasley

Also, this is similar to the process I go through with my linux box roughly every six months, though I expect that the technical details differ.

Why in the world do you reinstall Linux every 6 months? One of the joys of not running Windows is that you don't have to worry about breaking the OS every time you use it.

[E]

Originally Posted by echo

I saw this article and didn't see a Windows 8 thread, so now we have one. The headline made me think they were putting in something really useful, but having to reinstall 3rd party apps seems like it greatly diminishes the value.



http://www.informationweek.com/news/...tems/232301340

Sounds like they followed Apple's lead and now include a recovery partition on the boot disk. I like this implementation a lot. As long as your HD is good, you can to a fresh install, troubleshoot, or even boot into an internet-only mode -- all without having to keep up with a CD.

[Ron Weasley]

Originally Posted by E

Why in the world do you reinstall Linux every 6 months? One of the joys of not running Windows is that you don't have to worry about breaking the OS every time you use it.

I like a "fresh" install of the updated operating system. I have my data on another partition, so it doesn't get touched. Other than a couple of little niggling items, like getting a wired internet connection for a couple of minutes to get my wireless card working again, no hassles. Do I want to use R? Just install it quickly through synaptic. I forgot Emacs? Same solution. You get the idea. If I was just a tad more lazy, I would have a shell script that used apt-get to install all of that stuff and it would be easier still.

[E]

Originally Posted by Ron Weasley

I like a "fresh" install of the updated operating system. I have my data on another partition, so it doesn't get touched. Other than a couple of little niggling items, like getting a wired internet connection for a couple of minutes to get my wireless card working again, no hassles. Do I want to use R? Just install it quickly through synaptic. I forgot Emacs? Same solution. You get the idea. If I was just a tad more lazy, I would have a shell script that used apt-get to install all of that stuff and it would be easier still.

How much performance do you gain in a fresh install vs. a 7-month-old install?

(I realize since you're a Linux user, the difference is more appreciable to you than a non-Linux user.)

Spoiler:

That's a friendly way of saying it matters to you because you're a geek, where geek is meant in the most endearing way.

[whisper]

Originally Posted by E

How much performance do you gain in a fresh install vs. a 7-month-old install?

Or are you just saying that you're doing a fresh install of the new Linux version out, instead of just upgrading over the old version?

[echo]

Originally Posted by bokiz333

I actually like that part.

I hate having to go find program disk's and authorization codes to reinstall everything. I wonder if it will consider office a "3rd party app"?

[whisper]

Originally Posted by echo

I hate having to go find program disk's and authorization codes to reinstall everything. I wonder if it will consider office a "3rd party app"?

It's Microsoft, I'm just hoping it won't consider Windows a 3rd party app....