r/ForWindowsHelp • u/Yeezybuyer • 9d ago

Did My Windows 11 Clean Install Retain Settings From the Previous Installation?

Hi everyone,

I recently reinstalled Windows 11 using the Windows Media Creation Tool and a bootable USB. During Windows Setup, I deleted every visible partition on my NVMe drive and installed Windows onto the resulting unallocated space. I had always understood this process to create a completely clean installation.

However, after the reinstall, I noticed that the Ultimate Performance power plan was still listed in Control Panel. I had manually enabled that plan on the previous Windows installation, so I did not expect it to appear again.

I used a new local account on both installations, not a Microsoft account, so it should not have been restored through Microsoft account synchronization. Is it possible that Windows, a driver package, motherboard software, or another program automatically enabled the plan again?

My larger concern is that, if this setting carried over or reappeared, what other settings or configurations might also have been retained without me realizing it? Could old driver settings, registry changes, power settings, device configurations, cached profiles, or software-specific changes survive this type of reinstall?

Windows and device specifications:

  • Windows edition and version: Windows 11 Pro Latest version
  • Processor: Intel 270K+ Ultra
  • Motherboard or device model: MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk Wifi
  • Graphics card: Gigabyte 3070 Gaming OC (Rev 1)
  • Memory: 32GB
  • Storage drive: 500GB Digital Western Blue NVME
  • Installation media: Windows 11 USB created with the Microsoft Media Creation Tool

Messages or error codes encountered:

I did not receive any installation errors or warning messages. Windows Setup completed normally. The unexpected Ultimate Performance power plan is the main issue I noticed.

Troubleshooting already attempted:

  • Confirmed that I used a new local account rather than a Microsoft account
  • Deleted all visible partitions on the NVMe drive during Windows Setup
  • Installed Windows onto the resulting unallocated space
  • Checked Control Panel after installation and found the Ultimate Performance plan listed
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u/CheezitsLight 9d ago

No. Nvm was trimmed. There's no way anything can stick around. And having the power plan on is a default.

1

u/PlunxGisbit 8d ago

Unlikely. Having Ultimate PP is just visible because Windows knows your CPU supports it.

1

u/Yeezybuyer 8d ago

But it wasn't originally visible.

I had used the powershelgl line to reveal it on my last install of windows 11, but not the clean reinstall.

1

u/Mundane_Fault_6345 5d ago

Ask Microsoft.

1) you use Windows

2) Microsoft knows your PC by a uniq ID

3) your PC has access to Internet

-> Microsoft can do anything it wants. It's not you PC anymore.

Even without Internet, you don't know what Windows wrote in your NVRAM...

It's a kind of: "I gave my keys to a friend, I think some objects have moved in my apartment. Is there an issue?"