Lenovo with windows 7, free windows 8 upgrade. Also, best way to setup?

[marxr87]

Hi all!

I just bought a new Lenovo t440s. I would like to have it optimally setup to be lean, fast and secure. Also, it comes with a free windows 8 upgrade if I desire (the laptop is not touch screen). Should I do this?

Basically...should I format my computer completely, stick with windows 7, or upgrade to windows 8? Are there certain Lenovo features that I would want to reacquire? Avast vs. Avira, ccleaner vs. something else? I just want to maximize my SSD space and have the best/most efficient programs for battery life and security. How do I create an install flashdrive (no optical) if I desire to completely format and do a clean install?

I know this is a vague question, btw.

Thanks for the input!

 

[christinebcw]

First, grab all the Win 8.0 and 8.1 drivers. You'll need separate sets of those. Keep them on USBs for later use.

Win9's probably arriving next summer, but to be honest, it might not be ready for prime-time for another few months after that. If "Wait for Win9" is an argument, then don't hold your breath.

If you want to log into the WinStore and be AlwaysOn so you can feed Ballmer's retirement account, Win8 is what you need to do. Otherwise, Ballmer has no idea what you're doing, producing, paying, spending, etc. Because you're not logged into the WinStore. Drat! He really loves Win8 folks to log in and give give give.

If you don't care about much user-interface customization, that's good for Win8 because it strips most of those issues away. Ballmer never used that, so he won't let you do that either.

Flash Drive creation - those are usually 4Gb or 8Gb in size. Some systems require the smaller size, some allow 8Gb size. Have a couple of spares around and, when it's time to create those, there are wizards to guide you thru. Don't miss a step, by the way... you may never get another chance!

With that in mind, Lenovo has a Recovery Option in the Control Panel. This lets you record the Recovery Partition to a USB stick that can re-load your new purchase with all the Day 1 features - Win7, all the doodads, bells, whistles and bundleware that Lenovo gets paid to foist on you.

How's that for encouragement? And to think - there's always a pointed stick if your eye needs to be poked out, too! Have a great time!

 

[marxr87]

Haha, you've convinced me 😛

I love Win 7 on my desktop and always hated Win 8, but you always hear stuff like "No, its better now for x, y, and z!" Thought maybe it was getting pooped on like Vista launch did (Vista did get better imo)

Is it true that Win 7 outperformed it on most benchmarks?...that alone is argument enough for me

R.e. recovery: I typically know how to create a recovery disk, but Lenovo stated that there was a recovery partition, but I don't see it...so I was a bit baffled. I know how to create one, just didn't want to waste valuable space if it was hidden somehow and I was unaware.

I haven't owned a Win 8 device, but I have played around on it a bit (didn't really care for it). I did hear there were some "under the hood" changes that make it more efficient, and just thought maybe I could get a Win 7 shell or something.

I have Microsoft Security Essentials (default). Didn't know if there was something better to my traditional security suite which has been this for years:
Avira (free version)
Ccleaner
Spyware Blaster
Spybot SD (disable tea timer)

Back in the XP days, I was super into tweaking my computer and what not...but it has been years since I really looked into software and tweaks. Just wondering where things are now. Just had to retire my MSI Wind Xp netbook...which made me super sad hahaha

I made a back up on my SSD using Lenovo Rescue and Recovery and was just wondering what else was out there.


Thanks for the info!

 

[marxr87]

Oh also, is Lenovo software really that bad? I bought mine on Ebay for half the price new. I expected quite a bit of bloatware, but really couldn't find any (unless Lenovo's recovery software is garbage). All it really has is some intel software, Lenovo, dolby, and adobe.

 

[marxr87]

Here is a screen shot of my programs...doesn't seem too bloatware to me (but I don't know too much)

http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachments/windows-os-software/115623d1410480764-win-7-vs-free-win-8-upgrade-also-optimal-software-setup-control-panel-programs.png

Last two programs that you can't see are:
ThinkVantage Active Protection System
ThinkVantage Password Manager

 

[christinebcw]

I would bet that Win8/8.1 could have some speed-advantages but, really, I don't type letters to Mom any faster. When Excel adds 2 + 2, I'm not falling asleep waiting for the answer.

Few of my programs are controlled solelly by the operating system - when I do 800Gb of file-transfers, this is a speed of network issue - WinXP is no faster or slower that 8.1 or anything else. When I'm doing a Compile of a program, it's all the toolboxes that slow things up. Folks can pull benchmarks outta their... well, never mind... frankly, they can replace them back there, too.

I don't use add-on's to browsers or anti-viruses (like those SpyBot types) - I run them fairly stripped down and try to be careful about clicking on "Do you want me to save your computer? YES NO?" buttons. If you DO consider a purchase-anti-virus, make sure it offers a Repair USB system so you can boot from their repair USB for an ultimate cleaning.

Lenovo's Recovery Partition is rather hidden. On the Control Panel, there is a RECOVERY applet and, when you run that, it will walk you thru USB-building for a complete restore process.

One thing I do 'first' - after drivers, after WinUpdates - I install Piriform's RECUVA, about first thing. This is CCLEANER'S company. RECUVA may never be used but if you ever inadvertently deleted big folder-structures, RECUVA may help recover them.

 

[marxr87]

Thanks christinebcw, for the 'to the point' reply! Much appreciated!

Last questions (promise 😛)

Are any of you familiar with Lifehacker's ninite program pack? I trust tom's hardware more than just about any other site, and was curious what programs you use or like?

http://lifehacker.com/lifehacker-pack-for-windows-our-list-of-the-best-windo-787533613

https://ninite.com/lifehacker14 (compressed view, no article)

Last, know of any great tweaks to 7...such as reg editing or UI?

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it!!!

 

[christinebcw]

I would not use LifeHacker. I use some of those utilities, but since I wouldn't use all of them, then I wouldn't install them. I get enough clutter and garbage on my own - I don't need help. (Well, Hubby says I need a LOT of help, but that's another story... no wonder I leave him bound and gagged so often!)

RegEdit is the only registry editor I use. I learn to use the F2 ("search for word or phrase") and F3 ("keep searching for the same phrase"). I think Registry Editing is a powerful and dangerous process, and I don't want something smoothed over, covered-up or hidden from my attention.

As for UI - hmmm... I'm a huge fan of XP's user-interface - full of customizations for every little detail. Vista stripped some of those away. Win7 took away more. And Win8 took almost all fo them away. If you have to deal with more than your own computer - ever - sometimes leaving the Dull Basic Flavor ends up being the most efficient way - that's what I've had to do.