Why is the answer to all computer problems to reinstall Windows?

Question

It seems like whatever is wrong with my computer the answer is Always to reinstall Windows! Why is that? If the PC is running slow...reinstall Windows. If the browser crashes...reinstall Windows. If my word processor gets a little flaky, try reinstalling the program. But if that doesn't fix it, reinstall Windows! I'm tired of all PC repairmen always having to reinstall Windows. Whatever happened to fixing what is wrong instead of letting the reinstallation of Windows do the "repair"? Excuse me now while I go reinstall Windows.

Answer 1

lol Because, Gary, computer tech geeks (like I used to be) don't like to admit powerlessness over a computer or tell you "I don't know." And, when you're getting paid by the job instead of the hour (which seems to be the trend now), what they're looking for is the quickest fix. So, that would be the answer to your question 95% of the time -- I don't know, but won't say that I know, and tell you what will surely fix the problem, which is to reinstall windows, so we reinstall EVERYTHING because one or two things is out of whack.



The other one I like, btw, is that it's the "motherboard" or even better "your BIOS". They like to say that because that is something they CAN'T fix! Of course, with this particular one, there is probably a 60% chance it's a cop-out instead of the whopping 95%.



So, these computer geeks tell you it's your Windows installation or the BIOS because they are too lazy to figure out what's wrong, or too proud to admit they don't know.



-- ADDITION --



Heeehee ol' Spark got the same answer posted just a few seconds before I did.

Answer 2

This is generally the fix-all remedy because it creates a clean slate. Most of the time the problems we run into with windows is some sort of issue that we mistakenly cause. By reinstalling Windows it allows you to make sure your computer is starting at a point in which there shouldn't be a problem. If there are still errors or problems with your computer immediately after reinstalling than there is a decent chance it is a hardware issue.



I'm not trying to say there aren't problems with Windows itself, but most annoying errors stem from something the user has done.

Answer 3

lol, when the solution is unknown or there is not enough information to solve the problem or some people are too lazy or the problem is too hard or takes too much work to solve, that is usually the answer given. in some situations where corruption occurs, it is actually necessary because recovering corrupt files is pretty hard.



chances are unless your windows is corrupt, you can fix the problem without a windows reinstall. usually reinstall is because of viruses corrupting files and installing so much crap that it takes forever to eliminate the infection and it is never "truly" gone so a reinstall would just allow you a clean slate.



basically, theyre scrubs. just use google, most answers are there

Answer 4

Why not ask yourself this time- "do i need windows"?

If yes...then reinstall and move along.

If no....then why not try Linux Ubuntu or Mint- and be finished with it.

I did nearly 2 years ago.....still using Ubuntu. Its all point and click nowadays- no typing in commands unless you want to.

Answer 5

Agree that really should not be used unless that is the last option.



But to a business that is the quickest option that they can do.

In my computer admin classes, they really talk about making backups ALOT.





Also, I would like to mention that many question here could have been solved by reading the manual.

Answer 6

when you reinstall the OS,and you still get the same problem the only option is that you need a new computer.get a new one to prevent those problems

Answer 7

Wait a sec..Who told you that? That's not true and from my perspective that's the last thing to do. What problem does your computer have?