Picking up a new HP Omen Laptop tomorrow. I have a copy of Macrium Reflect and intend to take an image snap shot right out of the box. But then, what next? Can anyone weigh-in on precautions regarding any sign-ins, userid info, etc when initially setting up the machine for the first moments.? I currently run a Dell Inspiron 17R, Win7 Ultimate. It is exactly 10 years old. I upgraded the bios way back then and installed the MS Ultimate software, all thanks to MDL It has worked flawlessly. I'll say it again. This laptop has been totally dependable. It has it's dated limitations, but I love it. I even have an old Asus P4P800 MB which runs a dual boot WinXP and Win7. I can work with any suggestions you can offer. Please. So, I am looking for any and all helpful hints in what to consider when building on the retail package I receive. I see a lot about bloatware, for example, and will look into removing it, as I move forward. What all else should I do or consider to make my life less hectic and not obstruct any enhancements going forward? I still have the Dell 17R. It is and will be my main machine and has all the software I need. I am not abandoning it. I can and plan to ease into powering up and transitioning some of my work and some old or new software over to the new naked Win10 machine. Thanks, in advance.
If it's delivered with 10 Home, then one important thing is to keep the install offline (don't connect the Wifi) if you want to be able to use an offline/local windows account without any hassle.
Yes. Thanks. I have watched a ton of YouTube videos and keep notes of the author's and the links. These videos also have countless tips that I will take into account. But, MDL is a crazy smart place which I have used to great effect. So,I had to make this post and question, however trivial it sounds. Maybe folks have a favorite one that they're glad they implemented. For example, just at the top of my head, I use Windows Firewall Control, version 5.0.0.2. It was the last revision before the creator sold the software, and then it went downhill. I don't know. Will that old WFC version still work in Win10? And, this is just one question I know to ask.
Me myself I'd do a personal backup of the hard drive and store it in a safe place just in case you plan on running multiple operating system and stuff like that, then if something was to go completely sideways on you then at least you have your original factory install to fall back on, just a suggestion.
The notebooks come with a recovery partition. Just use the tool the manufacturer has provided to create a usb recovery key. Note sure about HP but MSI have BurnRecovery, Gigabyte have Smart USB Backup, etc. If there's multiple drives then the recovery partition may be on another drive. If you decide to upgrade your ssd down the track, your Macrium image may not re-size the partitions correctly...
Ha Ha. You made me chuckle. Only a few days ago, I ordered a replacement keyboard for my 10 year old Dell Inspiron. Then, I ordered a new Win10 HP Omen with memory and SSD upgrades. Now, and yes, I am truly considering running a multiple operating system setup. And leaning towards a Home to Pro upgrade, as well. Oh, boy. Thankfully, my wife is very understanding.
You may be correct about the Macrium, so yes on a (convenient) backup. Too, this will be my first upgrade to a computer which does not have a DVD drive, so a pendrive will become more important and convenient. About the Macrium, which I use. I have a 1Tb replacement HDD, not SSD, for my Inspiron, I tried to restore my 640Gb. 4 partition HDD, to the new 1Tb drive. It didn't work. I suspect I did something wrong. Thanks for your input.
When I get a new laptop I really only do 2 steps. 1. Copy the OS key to a backup, just in case. 2. Update all drives and then export them. After that I build a new OS image including the current build and updates, the drives I just exported, remove some crap I wont ever use and then do a clean install with that build. If I am not happy with the included SSD I will also upgrade that before the install. As a bonus you have that stock drive as a permanent perfect backup of the default config.
With win 8/10 pre-installed laptops, the OS key is embedded in the bios MSDM stuff, no real need for backing it up.
I tend to go in a different direction. I picked up a new notebook back on Black Friday, didn't really need it, but was a heck of a deal. I just booted from a flash drive containing 19042.685 downloaded from the UUP website, and installed Enterprise. I don't need any of the extra added junk, and in my experience with recent model computers the Windows installer includes every device driver that I need. Works for me, but YMMV.
An embedded OS Key is an interesting point. That feels of like memory lane and all the bios modding that was performed as a prerequisite to any KMS activation solutions. I guess this OS key embedding is OK? Anyway, if I wanted to copy the key, because i"m anal, how would I? Where is it? Would you handle it like a SLMGR script? Or, am I just overly concerned? So, it's confusing, but enlightening.
That's a funny story. I mean that as a compliment. Bold, I like it, sort of like my earlier post worrying about whether I should install a VL tagged OS, of the PRO version and not even Enterprise.
Open an Admin cmd Windows and run: Code: WMIC Path SoftwareLicensingService Get OA3xOriginalProductKey /Value You can also use tools like RW Everything to view the key...
Or run the QT from here and you will have all interesting info about the hardware and OS (incl. activation options and used methods) compiled into one easy to read txt file: https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/multi-oem-retail-project-mrp-mk3.71555/#post-1283849
Well i only say that because i have yet to run factory installed software in exceptions to the operating system on a new laptop i purchased only because the bloatware that is installed on some of these machines these days is just out there in my opinion plus i feel more comfortable when i install my own machine because i know what's on it and be able to set it up to suit how i want my laptop to perform, but i always perform a backup first because that contains everything about that machine drivers etc. I call it a pre-emptive measure because thing happen and its nice to be able to go back and be able to start from fresh without worrying that you lost valuable data.
I think any reputable manufacturer will have any software you might need (drivers, diags, whatever) available on their website. In years gone by, that was sometimes necessary. But the last few years that seems to never be the case, at least not in my experience. Before permanent activation became so easily possible, I was known to save the original install, just in case. But not now. YMMV
I personally if i were to get a brand new laptop. i would wipe the laptop and install a clean OS without all the bloatware that comes preinstalled. since the activation is on the bios no need to worry for activations.