How Long Does It Take to Rebuild Windows or Linux?

In the context of operating system (OS) maintenance, a rebuild often means reinstalling the OS, which can be a time-consuming process. Both Windows and Linux require various steps such as selecting the appropriate OS version, downloading and installing necessary packages, configuring drivers, and applying updates. This guide will explore the time involved in these processes for both Windows and Linux.

Rebuilding Windows: An Estimation

When it comes to Windows, a full rebuild typically involves a few key steps:

Selecting the appropriate Windows version (e.g., Windows 10, 11) Downloading and installing the OS Applying online updates and system patches Customizing the system (e.g., installing necessary applications, configuring drivers)

Depending on the amount of applications installed and the time required to find and install appropriate drivers, a Windows rebuild can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. However, many factors can influence this:

The speed of your internet connection The number of applications and drivers needed The complexity of your existing setup The pre-existing hardware configuration

For instance, with a low internet speed (e.g., 1mbps download), it might take up to 24 hours to download and install the necessary packages, which was the case for the author's original connection. With a more modern internet speed (30mbps download), the process is much faster, taking approximately 30 minutes to set up the system and an additional 20 to 30 minutes for downloading and configuring new applications and the desktop environment.

Rebuilding Linux: From Fedora to Custom Builds

Linux distributions like Fedora offer a streamlined experience for reinstalling and customizing the OS. A typical Linux rebuild from scratch can take about half an hour. This includes:

Selecting the appropriate Linux distribution (e.g., Fedora, Ubuntu) Downloading and installing the OS Connecting to the internet to download necessary packages and updates (Optional) Compiling and installing system libraries and custom configurations

While a complete distribution like Fedora can be installed and configured relatively quickly (30 minutes to an hour), the time can increase if you plan to compile from source or build kernels from scratch. For example, the author mentions setting up a system that includes an extensive collection of applications and a custom desktop environment taking longer, possibly up to an hour or more.

Compiling the Kernel: An In-Depth Look

Compiling the Linux kernel from source is a notable part of the full rebuild process. The time required for compiling the kernel can vary significantly based on the hardware and the environment. The kernel compile time is often used as a benchmark to gauge system performance, which can help in assessing the efficiency of a particular build environment.

For instance, an AMD Ryzen 9 395 system with 16GB of RAM and an SSD disk scored 42 seconds for a kernel compile. This is a respectable time, but it is just a starting point. If you plan to compile POSIX libraries and standard utilities, this process could take several more minutes, potentially extending the total rebuild time.

Conclusion

Rebuilding Windows or Linux involves a range of activities, and the time required can vary significantly based on the OS version, hardware configuration, internet speed, and personal customizations. While a distro like Fedora can be reinstalled quite quickly, compiling the kernel and building other components from source can extend the process.

Understanding the specifics of your needs and the factors involved in the rebuild process can help in estimating the time and resources required for a complete system setup.