Quote:
Originally Posted by catsknit
But I will need root to install a 3rd party ROM, right?
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Rooting adds/modifies some of the OS system files to enable/unlock the "Super-User" privilege which allow the user to change device settings and to install apps that are otherwise precluded by the manufacturer and/or service-provider. Depending on the particular device's stock ROM, a rooting tool typically also add a handful of "Getting-Started" apps that are absent in the stock ROM, such as Google Playstore, EMail, etc.
All custom ROMs, which completely replaces a device's stock ROM, come with the "Super-User" privilege enabled/unlocked; a Gapps package (e.g.,
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Google_Apps) which typically gets flashed right after flashing a custom ROM provides the set of essential Getting-Started apps.
As such there is no need to root a stock ROM if you plan to replace it with a custom ROM.
If you want to keep the stock ROM for any reason but also want to be able install and run any latest and greatest Android app then you should leave the stock ROM intact and simply run a custom ROM like CM11 on an external SD card.