Is it even possible to buy a Windows laptop right now with only the OS installed?
This is exactly why I've been recommending Chromebooks to anyone who asks my advice for about a year now.
This is exactly why I've been recommending Chromebooks to anyone who asks my advice for about a year now.
Microsoft's Windows Installation Media Creation Tool [1] enables you to download a clean Windows 8.1 ISO that can be used to re-install the operating system and wipe out all of the preloaded bloatware on any PC.
To do the same with a Windows 7 PC, visit Microsoft's Software Recovery website [2].
From Windows 8.1 Update 1 onwards, there is a built-in PowerShell cmdlet called Export-WindowsDriver [3] that will backup all of your third-party drivers prior to reinstalling the OS.
Export-WindowsDriver –Online -Destination c:\DriverBackup
Once you have created a bootable USB flash drive from the Windows ISO [5], another useful tip is to create a folder called $WinPEDriver$ in the root of the drive and copy the drivers you backed up into here. Windows will automatically install the drivers found in the $WinPEDriver$ folder during installation of the OS.
[1] http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-re...
[2] http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery
[3] https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn614084.aspx
[4] http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Info/Double-Drive...
Chromebooks are the worst possible thing, I tell everyone to stay away from these crippled google branded piece of slavery.
I advise either a second hand quality laptop or a brand new one while budgeting a little extra for cleaning the crap that manufacturers preload inside to allow for such a low selling price.
(An unnecessary hassle, I agree)
What did they do? If they detect a "counterfeit" FTDI (in other words, a clone not necessarily claiming to be an FTDI), the driver bricks your chip!
Yeah, you can fix it using Linux, but it's a pain in the ass.
Or use Linux and be away from this cancer of MS Windows ecosystem.
For instance, is it "only the OS installed" if it includes hardware-specific support for the display adapter, or a fingerprint reader?
Anyway, all laptops I have seen include either a generic Windows OS installation disk, or an option to order one for the price of mailing cost. But of course even with these you might have something included which you do not consider "only the OS".
It would sure be nice to bring home a Windows machine that only had Windows on it and any necessary but minor applications from the manufacturer (like a settings application or drivers and not some photo sharing spyware).