Before reloading:

1. If not using Foxmarks, backup favorites from IE, FF, Safari, Chrome.

2. Backup Outlook to .pst. If using another PIM program back it up accordingly.

3. Backup and financial software

4. Look in "Device Manager" and write down the makes and models of NIC, Video Card, Sound Card, CD/DVD drive, IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. Download corresponding drivers, firmware, and BIOS updates. - You can also use a system audit software like belarc.  This can alleviate trial and error later.

5. Check for Static IP and routes.

6. Backup all other files you want to keep.

Windows Install:

1. Press any key to boot to CD

2. Press ENTER to Continue

3. Press F8 to accept EULA

4. If there is a partition then delete the boot partition and "L" to confirm

4a. once there is no partition (or no boot partition) choose, "C" to create partition, enter desired size, or just press enter to use maximum size.

5. Choose partition that was just created, and press ENTER to Install.

6. Choose "Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick) - (when system reboots during installation, DON'T boot to CD again! Just let it run)

7. Choose "Next" on the "regional and Language Options" window.

8. Enter name and organization if applicable. Press Next.

9. Enter Computer Name: ex. "SMITH-LAPTOP", or "FAMILY-DESKTOP" Enter Administrator Password. If this is not entered, anyone can use the local log in of "administrator" with a blank password and have full access to the system. Press next.

10. Enter correct time zone, check time. Press "Next"

11. Press Next in the "Network Settings" window (Typical should remain selected)

12. Specify a network name. Or just press "Next"

13. After reboot, Press "OK" to the Display Resolution message. and OK again if you can see it.

14. Press Next again on the "Welcome to Windows" screen

15. Press "Not Right Now". It will be done after SP3 is installed. Then press next.

16. Enter user name(s). this is how it will appear in the "Fast User Switching Screen" and press Next

17. Press Finish on the Thank You screen.

Windows is now installed. Now, on to updates

Microsoft Updates:

1. Install latest drivers, firmware, and BIOS from manufacturers website.

2. Install Service Pack 3. After reboot, select "Help protect..." then next.

3. Install IE8. Reboot.

4. Open IE. a) "Let me choose" b)Check "Turn on auto... then press the big green "Save your Settings" Choose Google, set it as default. Close IE.

5. Go to "Windows Update" install "Microsoft Update"

6. Install all critical and hardware updates. This process may take a couple reboots to complete.

Custom Settings:

Click the Start Button, right click on "My Computer", go to Properties and click.

Advanced Tab:

1. Performance, Under "Visual Effects" tab click "Settings" button.

2. Choose "Adjust for best performance" then scroll to the bottom of the list and check the last 3 options. Press "Apply"

3. Choose "Advanced" tab (still under Performance Options), click on the "Change" button under "Virtual Memory"

4. Set both amounts to be the same. Use 1.5 times the amount of installed RAM. i.e. 512 RAM = 768 vm, 1024 RAM = 1536 vm. At about 3GB+ depending on the applications on the machine, you can opt for "no paging file". For most clients, if heavy on RAM, still give 1536 or 2048. Press "OK"

5. Choose "Error Reporting" at the bottom of this tab, click the top radio button "Disable error reporting" keep the check box beneath checked.

Remote Tab:

1. Uncheck all boxes in this tab. Press "Apply"

Automatic Updates Tab:

1. Choose time to update. Press "Apply"

System Restore Tab:

1. Check the box "Turn off System Restore" Press Apply. Press OK. Reboot.

Task Bar:

Language Bar:

Unless customer uses language bar, right-click and close it. Window will appear in upper left-hand corner. Check the box inside and press "OK"

Task Manager:

Remove unnecessary programs from task manager i.e. synaptic touchpad, video card icon, sound card icon, OEM links.

Task and Start Menu Properties: 

1. Taskbar Tab opens first, Check the 5th box "Show Quick Launch" and uncheck, "Hide inactive icons" at the bottom. Press "Apply"

2. Click on the "Start Menu" Tab

3. Click the "Customize" button

4. Press "Clear List" under the "General" Tab

5. Click the "Advanced" tab

6. Uncheck: "Help and Support", "Set Program Access and Defaults"

7. Check: "My Network Places" (if applicable), 

8. Press "Clear List" button. Press "OK"

Display Properties:

1. Right-Click on the desktop. Click on Properties.

2. Desktop Tab: Click "Customize Desktop".

3. Under "Desktop cleanup" uncheck "Run Desktop..." Press OK.

4. Screen Saver Tab: Click the "Power Button"

5. Adjust accordingly

6. Click "Hibernate" tab. Ensure the the "Enable hibernation" tab is not checked.

Clean up:

1. Go to Add/Remove programs, then Add/Remove Windows Components

2. Remove: "MSN Explorer", "Outlook Express", "Windows Messenger"

3. Start, All Programs, Accessories, Disk Cleanup, click on the "Compress Old Files" 2nd from the bottom and change from 50 to 500. Press OK.

4. Defragment hard drive. Reboot. Install applications. Defragment again. This a good time to make an image if able.