New laptop software from 2 years ago

[koolkoalakid97]

Hey my friend recently bought a laptop that has software that was installed 2 years ago why? Is the computer refurbished?

 

[USAFRet]

Hey my friend recently bought a laptop that has software that was installed 2 years ago why? Is the computer refurbished?

How does he know that the software was installed 2 years ago?
The data on a file is no indication of install date.

Or the system may have just sat on the shelf for two years.

Where did he buy it?
Was it advertised as new?
Have the full manufacturer warranty?

 

[Solandri]

Computer vendors don't have someone sit in front of the computer and install Windows and programs like you and I do. They do it once, then create a disk image of the system already set up. That disk image is then duplicated directly onto hard drives going into other new systems.

So depending on how long ago the vendor made that image and how (in)frequently it's been updated, some of the file and install dates may be a lot older than the computer itself.