I want to keep it, but how?

[JSN58]

hi guys, i was wondering if anyone could tell me how to wipe my laptop clean, but keep windows and my microsoft programs on it, thanks.

 

[rgd1101]

you mean deleting personal files? cleanup temp files?

 

[USAFRet]

hi guys, i was wondering if anyone could tell me how to wipe my laptop clean, but keep windows and my microsoft programs on it, thanks.

Those two concepts are incompatible.

What exactly are you trying to do, and why?

 

[JSN58]

I have recently got a new desktop and want to put my microsoft programs over onto it that were previously on my laptop. I also want to wipe my laptops harddrive completely clean except for my windows 7 operating system thats on it.

 

[USAFRet]

I have recently got a new desktop and want to put my microsoft programs over onto it that were previously on my laptop. I also want to wipe my laptops harddrive completely clean except for my windows 7 operating system thats on it.

Install your applications on the new desktop. Assuming you have the install disks or files, of course.
Uninstall (Control Panel) the applications on your laptop.

You cannot 'transfer' them.

 

[rgd1101]

laptop usually come with a recovery partition, google the manual to see how to do a factory reset.

 

[JSN58]

thanks the response, so would i have to use a flash drive to get my applications from my laptop to my desktop, or am i misunderstanding you?

 

[rgd1101]

there no "get my application from your laptop to desktop", it a reinstall from the dvd/cd or download.

 

[JSN58]

im sorry, but i still dont understand. I know about how to do a factor reset, but i was wondering if there is a way to do it and keep my windows on it. I still have the windows 7 disc from my new desktop. Can i just use that to reinstall it to my laptop, or does it matter what cd it is.

 

[rgd1101]

I don't understand what is "your" windows? factory reset, reset back to like when you get it from retailer store, with windows.

 

[JSN58]

yes, exactly. I want to do a factory reset, but makes sure that the windows that came preinstalled on it....will still be on it, but nothing else will be.

 

[navalweaponsofficer]

Does your laptop show that you have two hard drives in my computer? C: and likley D: whith your optical drive being another letter. The second hard drive is where the files are stored that allow you to restore the laptop to factory settings. If you intend on keeping the laptop you can just uninstall the programs that you want to install on the new computer. If you are selling the laptop then you need to figure out how to restore from that partition, it is differant for every computer. If you created the restoration disks when you first got your computer you can do it that way as well.

 

[rgd1101]

yes, exactly. I want to do a factory reset, but makes sure that the windows that came preinstalled on it....will still be on it, but nothing else will be.

that is exact what factory reset does.

 

[JSN58]

thank you thank you thank you rgd1101, thats a load off my back knowing that. Now i just need to know how to move microsoft office to my new computer before i do the factory reset.

 

[navalweaponsofficer]

thank you thank you thank you rgd1101, thats a load off my back knowing that. Now i just need to know how to move microsoft office to my new computer before i do the factory reset.

You wont be able to move it. Do you have the original install disks for the applications? if you bought it from MS online you should have downloaded the installer file from them and they should have sent you an email with the install key. if you dont have the installer or disk you will have to find an alternate way to get the installer files. if you do not have the email with the Key you will have to find an alternate way to get your key back. these alternte ways are easy to find just search for them. if you have none of these ithem you will likley need to re purchase your software.

 

[USAFRet]

thank you thank you thank you rgd1101, thats a load off my back knowing that. Now i just need to know how to move microsoft office to my new computer before i do the factory reset.

You can't 'move it'. Install on your new PC. Do you still have the activation key around?

However...factory reset on your laptop probably includes the Office trial. So whoever gets that machine won't be able to activate it.

Factory reset on the laptop, and then uninstall the Office from the laptop.

 

[JSN58]

yes, i still have the microsoft office install disk, how can i use them if you wouldnt mind telling me

 

[navalweaponsofficer]

just put the disk into the optical drive the disk will auto run select install enter the Key provided by MS.

 

[USAFRet]

And if it doesn't autorun (you should turn that off if it does), there is a setup.exe.
Run that.

 

[JSN58]

ok thank you for your help. The laptop i have is a dell inspiron, the reason why im telling you this is because i was also wondering what the difference is between "system restore" and "dell datasafe restore aand emergency backup", thanks.

 

[JSN58]

ok thank you for your help. The laptop i have is a dell inspiron, the reason why im telling you this is because i was also wondering what the difference is between "system restore" and "dell datasafe restore aand emergency backup", thanks.

 

[navalweaponsofficer]

system restore will put the system in the condidtion it was when you bought it.
data safe would be the reinstall of windows while keeping your data files in place. (best guess) (opnion: should only be used when system will not boot into windows so that you can back up your files then do a complete restore)
emergencey backup i am not sure.

 

[USAFRet]

ok thank you for your help. The laptop i have is a dell inspiron, the reason why im telling you this is because i was also wondering what the difference is between "system restore" and "dell datasafe restore aand emergency backup", thanks.

Not 100% sure, but probably that is just Dell's labeling on the same function.

 

[JSN58]

well i just tried the system restore and that didnt clear everything of my harddrive, so should i try the other one

 

[JSN58]

well i just tried the system restore and that didnt clear everything of my harddrive, so should i try the other one