Hi.

 

I am thinking to clean up all that mess I have done while transitioning from FSX boxed to Steam and I am wondering if there is an easier way to bring my PC close to a factory state without reinstalling entire OS? I need to wipe out everything (folders, registry and stuff like that) without leaving any trace of what I have before. I just need a fresh start. I have 4 SSD drives and ASUS mobo and I was told that reinstalling OS would not be easy as I had it in my old HP machine where I was able to reinstall OS very fast and easy.

 

Thx for looking 

I am thinking to clean up all that mess I have done while transitioning from FSX boxed to Steam

Hi Ed,

 

Reinstalling Windows is certainly the best way of starting over. One of the things you can try is to create a new User. That will bring all of your settings back to the factory state. It would wipe out everything related to FSX/FSX-SE or any other software program you have installed. So, you may have to reinstall some programs, like Microsoft Office or move/copy those folders over to your new profile. You would login to the new user and see if everything is working properly. Then, you simply go to your user profile folder and delete the old user. Here's how to do that:

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-corrupted-user-profile#1TC=windows-7

 

Here's another link that provides more detailed info - http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/3495216/how-fix-corrupt-user-profile-in-windows-7/

 

Your old registry would still be there though. The best way to fix that after you have set up a new user (and see it is running properly) is to run a registry cleaner like CCleaner (I use Advanced System Care Pro). It will wipe out everything related to your old user account.

 

After that is completed, install FSX-SE.

 

Of course you do not have to set up a new user account and simply make sure there are no folders left in the User/AppData/Roaming folder for FSX or FSX-SE. You would also remove the folders in the hidden ProgramData folders as explained in the PMDG FSX uninstall/reinstall guide - http://support.precisionmanuals.com/kb/a87/how-to-uninstall-and-reinstall-fsx.aspx. From my experience of uninstalling FSX, the entries made in the registry are removed for FSX but some of the addon programs that had registry entries are not removed. Again, a registry cleaner should remove all of those entries.

 

I just went through the process of reinstalling Windows 7 last month and I have almost reinstalled everything (and I have a ton of programs). I did it because I installed a new 500GB SSD and relocated FSX/P3D to the non-default folders on my new K Drive.

 

One last note, in regards to deleting the old user profile, your system may balk if you do not have all of the user privileges. I would download a program called TakeOwnership and then install it. Once installed, go to your old User Profile and right click the username and then select TakeOwnership. You now own it and you can delete it without Windows screaming bloody mary.

 

Best regards,

Hello again Jim.

 

I did not spend that much time in University drilling algebra and physics than I spend it here dealing with FSX. It is amazing.  B)

Thank you for the advice. I will definitely try this first. 

Hi Ed,

 

The only way I learned was doing things like this. Sometimes they worked, sometimes they didn't but it still was a learning experience. Technology is changing daily and I do not think anyone can stay on top of all the changes.

 

Best regards,

Jim

 

I have created new user account as inscribed in those links but it looks awful, everything looks like Windows XP ^_^ now. I Google it but looks to me everything I have done was correct. I had to revert it back.  

 

Thx    

Jim

 

I have created new user account as inscribed in those links but it looks awful, everything looks like Windows XP ^_^ now. I Google it but looks to me everything I have done was correct. I had to revert it back.  

 

Thx

That's what it looks like after you first install Windows. You have to setup your desktop just as if you just reinstalled Windows.

 

Best regards,

Hi jim i have backed the entire pc on my HDD external drive with acronis. If i wanted to reinstall windows 7. Would i only have to reinstall my drivers for my pc then connect my HDD amd transfer everything over? Is it that easy?

 

Cheers

I am thinking to clean up all that mess I have done while transitioning from FSX boxed to Steam and I am wondering if there is an easier way to bring my PC close to a factory state without reinstalling entire OS? I need to wipe out everything (folders, registry and stuff like that) without leaving any trace of what I have before.

 

 

Try theses  steps  has helped others

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/412561-reinstalling-win7-without-re-installing-fsx/

 

 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/243190/how_to_repair_a_corrupt_windows_7_installation.html

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5842

OK Thanks