Reinstalling Windows may make your PC worse

The article reports that routine clean installs are rarely needed on modern Windows PCs and can remove useful manufacturer utilities; Windows 11 includes recovery options that repair system files or fully reset the PC without the old install complexities.

Reinstalling Windows was once a common way to fix slow or unstable PCs, but the article explains that the situation has changed. In earlier eras such as Windows XP and Vista, mechanical drives and heavy bloatware often made fresh installs helpful. The author says modern Windows and current preinstalled software are generally less harmful, and built-in recovery tools reduce the need to wipe a machine. The article also warns that a clean install can remove manufacturer utilities that manage hardware features and firmware updates. What the article notes: - Reinstalls were commonly used in the Windows XP/Vista era to remove bloatware and improve startup performance. - The Lenovo SuperFish incident (2014–15) is cited as an example of dangerous preinstalled software; the company later addressed the issue and settled with the FTC in 2017. - Today’s preinstalled extras are usually cosmetic trials or shortcuts and can often be removed from the Start menu. - Fully reinstalling Windows can remove manufacturer utilities for fan control, keyboard lighting, and firmware updates, which may be time-consuming to restore. - Windows 11 offers recovery paths such as "Fix Problems Using Windows Update," which reinstalls system files while keeping apps and settings, and "Reset This PC," which performs a full reinstall with options about manufacturer software. Summary: The article’s impact is that routine clean reinstalls are less often necessary and can carry downsides like losing manufacturer-supplied utilities. As reported, Windows 11 includes recovery features that let users repair or reinstall the operating system with fewer steps than older methods, and the author recommends a full reset when returning or disposing of a PC.