You can minimize the time and effort for the Windows reinstallation process if:
- Use the current version of system 10, which in most cases will automatically install drivers for at least significant components;
- Use the latest distribution, and then you will not need to mess with system updates;
- Store installers of third-party programs in one folder so as not to remember them and not to run around the sites of their developers for downloading;
- With part of the programs and do work in their portable versions;
- Use browser synchronization services, export-import program settings.
Another, not entirely unambiguous, way to simplify the reinstallation of Windows is to create your own assembly with integrated software. However, if such an assembly is not updated periodically, after reinstallation, the system may freeze for a long time in updates. Yes, and software that is not updated automatically will then have to be manually refreshed.
The best option is still to install the system from a clean, fresh distribution. And the necessary programs can be quickly installed using a special type of software - multi-installers. Let's consider some of them.
1. Install Pack
https://installpack.net
The free portable InstallPack utility is the easiest way to batch install Windows programs. Their installers are taken from the official websites of the developers and are periodically updated. In the InstallPack window, the software available for batch installation is cataloged, there are brief descriptions and a rating. To install the necessary programs, put their checkboxes and click "Next".
Then we uncheck the products promoted by InstallPack itself.
At the pre-final stage of the step-by-step wizard, we will see the progress of downloading the selected software. InstallPack offers only partial installation automation; it does not support silent installation mode. Therefore, individual installation steps of the programs must be completed manually.
On the one hand, incomplete automation is a minus. But if there is a need to choose a path for installing programs other than the default, then this, on the contrary, is a plus. At the end of the batch software installation session, either we return to the beginning and install something, or we complete the work with InstallPack.
InstallPack installs only licensed software into the system.
2. Ninite
https://ninite.com/
Ninite is a specific package installer and is a free web service. The choice of specific programs for batch installation is carried out on the project website.
Then the service generates a multi-installer with all the selected programs and offers to download it.
Download, run and wait for the software installation to complete. Ninite runs in "silent mode". Only in separate windows of the package installer we will observe a report on the ongoing process and its progress.
Ninite is an English-language web service, but if Russian is the main language on Windows, programs that support Russian-language localization will be installed in our language by default. Ninite works honestly, that's why we will find only free products in the service's software catalog.
3. Npackd
https://npackd.appspot.com/
Npackd is a free multi-installer with a huge database of licensed Windows software. Includes the ability to install not only office, multimedia, and various philistine programs, but also system components and software platforms for developers. It can install, update and even remove programs from the system, all in batch mode. Npackd operates with the latest installers of programs, their versions available for installation appear in a separate column of the tabular list in the main window of the multi-installer. And in the context menu there is a send item to the official website of software developers.
To start a batch installation, you need to click the desired programs in the list of the Npackd window while holding down the Ctrl key. Then click the "Install" button and confirm the start of the installation.
The progress of the operation will be displayed in the Task tab.
But it is not necessary to add all programs to a single installation process. Npackd is not a step-by-step multi-installer, you can safely browse the list of software and click the "Install" button for each individual program. Thus, it will be added to the list of tasks and installed when necessary, in "quiet mode".
One of the specifics of Npackd's work is the failure to install 32-bit programs on 64-bit Windows. In the catalog of this multi-installer, you must select the appropriate software editions.
4. Windows Post Installation
Windows Post Installation, abbreviated as WPI, is the so-called post-installer of software in the Windows environment. This is not a specific program from a specific developer, like the ones presented above. Initially, WPI is a platform for creating software installation assemblies, which is used by enthusiastic builders. They complete WPI collections with their software selections and post them on the Internet, in particular, on torrent trackers. WPI collections do not always contain only free products or trial versions of software. Some collections contain both licensed software and pirated - hacked editions of paid programs. The WPI post-installer is sometimes present on board pirated builds of Windows.