Is it possible to do a clean install but leave all programs in place?

[Paul Pedersen]

For months now, I've had various problems with XP, principally failure to
shut down normally, failure to log off a user, frequent freeze-ups and other
abnormal behavior of IE, Windows Explorer going wacky, the Start menu
sometimes shows all or part black, etc. Detailed scans with up-to-date
Ad-Aware and Norton Antivirus reveal nothing, and I've had no other symptoms
of hijackware - no popups, no hijacked home page, etc. Norton Systemworks
finds nothing wrong with the registry (clearly it's mistaken).

I've searched in vain for solutions on this group and elsewhere. I have no
weird hardware, plenty of empty hard disk space, and all drivers are
up-to-date, including video. I have removed and reinstalled IE. I have even
run a Windows XP repair installation. I thought installing SP2 might help,
but it didn't. The problem keeps getting worse and worse, to the point where
it's seriously affecting my productivity. Not to mention that I'm afraid of
losing something important.

At this point I can see no solution other than to wipe out Windows and
reinstall cleanly. But I really, really don't want to have to reinstall all
my software. I have a lot, and to backup my files and reinstall everything
could take two days.

Is it possible to somehow re-install Windows, forcing it to actually
reinstall everything rather than to just check for existence, and still
leave my programs, user lists, and other software installed? Or does someone
have another solution?

Thanks for reading this long message, and many thanks if you have a good
answer!

 

[R. McCarty]

Yes, When a PC becomes erratic, sometimes it's nothing more than
the User's profile. Create a new user (with Administrator rights).
All your programs will be in tact. You can copy your documents &
other settings. It may solve your issues and avoid the "Fresh Install".
If a new profile doesn't resolve, you'll have to take more drastic steps.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Please have a look at the following article by Michael Stevens reagarding a
'Repair' install of XP, which should retain your programs, files and
settings:

"How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install"
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Charlie]

Do a Repair/Install.

Hi

Please have a look at the following article by Michael Stevens reagarding
a 'Repair' install of XP, which should retain your programs, files and
settings:

"How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install"
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--

Will Denny
MVP - Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups

 

[Will Denny]

That is what I just posted. Please try and reply to the person you mean to.
This is what oiks ups a lot of threads!!

 

[Paul Pedersen]

Like I said in my original post, I already ran a repair install, to no
avail. I suspect that that doesn't actually replace existing files; it only
replaces missing ones. I want it to start over, everything new (except my
installations!).

But thanks anyway.

 

[Rock]

Like I said in my original post, I already ran a repair install, to no
avail. I suspect that that doesn't actually replace existing files; it only
replaces missing ones. I want it to start over, everything new (except my
installations!).

But thanks anyway.

Then to answer your original question, no. There is no way to do a
clean install of the operating system and have the programs intact.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Like I said in my original post, I already ran a repair install, to no
avail. I suspect that that doesn't actually replace existing files; it only
replaces missing ones. I want it to start over, everything new (except my
installations!).

That becomes a contradiction. A clean install of the system means a
clean registry, and clean Windows folder. But installing any program
(since about win3.11) puts entries in registry and files in windows. So
you have to reinstall them. If a repair (which repairs the fundamental
system) does not do it, you need to back up your data, and format the
disk as part of a reinstall of the system after booting the XP CD
direct. Enter Setup, and after the license agreement take New Install.
When it asks you to confirm where, hit ESC; select and delete the
current partition and make a new RAW one to be formatted at the next
stage

The important point is the delete. Without that it will just go ahead
and make a new install over the top of the old one which is just what is
*not* wanted. Also first read Gary Woodruff's article on Files and
settings Transfer at http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm