Once a year or so, I typically reinstall Windows via USB with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to easily install the latest feature update. I prefer this option because it allows for a full format without multiple Windows feature upgrades being installed on top of each other. It's cleaner and eliminates potential issues.
I have a new HP Z4 G4 Xeon Workstation. There are three decisions I'm considering in order to optimally set up this machine. I'd like to hear feedback from others. This is a personal workstation. It's not used in an organization.
Consideration #1 - Partitions and Reinstall
Partitions on C drive, OEM M.2 SSD installation:
1. EFI System Partition
2. Windows C (BitLocker Encrypted)
3. Windows RE Tools (OEM Partition)
If I choose to frequently clean install Windows with the USB Media Creation Tool, what is the process in terms of these OEM partitions? Should I wipe all three of these partitions or should I leave the Windows RE Tools partition as is?
Ideally, I'd like to clean install Windows directly from USB when needed while retaining the option of fully resetting the PC to HP factory defaults in the future via boot commands or official recovery procedures. I'm just not sure how to best handle these OEM partitions, particularly the RE Tools (OEM Partition).
I understand that when doing a USB Media Creation Install that I'll choose Windows 10 Pro and then download the Windows 10 Pro for Workstations update afterward from the Microsoft Store. The chip key will activate with a digital entitlement license.
In order to prepare for the reinstall I've:
1. Exported the factory drivers via Powershell for easy installation in the future.
2. Saved a list of installed software from Control Panel if needed to download from HP. (I already removed Microsoft Office 365 - en-us). I'm not sure what will be needed from this list that isn't included in the Powershell export, but I have it just in case.
- HP Documentation
- HP Hotkey Support
- HP Notifications
- HP Performance Advisor
- Intel Network Connections 24.0.0.11
- Intel Virtual RAID on CPU
- Intel Management Engine Components
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable (x64)
- NVIDIA Graphics Driver 431.70
- NVIDIA HD Audio Driver 1.3.38.16
- NVIDIA nView 149.77
- NVIDIA WMI 2.33.0
- Realtek High Definition Audio Driver
Consideration #2 - Bitlocker
The system includes two M.2 SSD drives. Please note, these drives are currently "waiting for activation" for Bitlocker. I haven't yet decided if I'll be using Bitlocker or not as I haven't used it previously.
I'm concerned whether it's worth the performance hit and potential unlocking issues. There is some appeal that malware can't change the Bios before booting into Windows. I have no plans on removing the M.2 drives as I would frequently do with a traditional storage drive.
Consideration #3 - ReFS
If I understand correctly ReFS can't be used on the boot disk. So the C drives must be formatted with NTFS.
I will be adding 1-2 12tb drives to this system. (If I add 2 drives, the second will be to have an identical copy of the first drive as a backup.) I'll need to decide whether to use NTFS or ReFS (which I've never used) for this new set up. I've read up on ReFS, however, I've never seen it running or done any hands-on testing.
Thanks in advance for the help and assistance on these three issues.