Windows 10: Clean install - the only way to go!

It has taken me twenty-nine days to figure out that I was just plain wrong in my assumptions regarding Windows 10. I had accepted the hype about the ease that this OS would bring to me. What I should have done was read more carefully and then chosen more wisely the way I went about installing and using Windows 10 on my desktop.

I had one problem after another doing the installation. My adventures doing so are documented in previous threads that I have posted. Finally, I was able to install the OS and begin to use my desktop for normal every day activities. Then, I encountered failures with my 3rd party apps as well as the actual functional apps of the OS.

The final straw was at midnight last night when I simply lost the start menu completely. I could not access any of my programs and found the only way to power down was by pressing the button on the computer case. I went to bed in frustration.

A half hour later, I got up and I reread a number posts I had printed from others regarding doing a clean install. It was if I got struck by lightning. It became so clear to me that my problem was not with Windows 10 but with all of the garbage I brought into Windows 10 from my previous drivers and files. Some of these carryovers were simply incompatible with W10 even if they had not bee challenged by W10 in its initial assessment of my computer.

I took the repair disk I had made, followed instructions that other much brighter OP’s had written, did a clean install, then brought my 3rd party programs to the party and darned if my desktop operated the way Microsoft advertised it would.

My system has been on for since 1:30AM this morning and it is now 3:33PM in the afternoon. No failures. Every function I have tried works. The speed of my boot is 16 seconds. Access to my three SSD’s internal in the desktop and three HDD’s in USB 3.0 hubs is flawless. I have made images, backups checked Windows updates and 3rd party program updates. My internet WORKS! The start menu works. I can power down simply by clicking on the menu and I am like a child in a candy factory.

My one suggestion to all who know less than me about computers, and I am in the bottom rung of expertise, is . . . DO A CLEAN INSTALL after upgrading from W7 or W8. Do not waste your time trying to save time by simply upgrading and not doing any more.

I hope that I have learned from this to read carefully the wise comments from those who really know computing. I should have done so and did not.

In closing, I am quite satisfied to have Windows 10 on my desktop.

I wish you all success in installing the fine OS.

:)

 

what is the cheapest way to clean install windows 10 on a windows 7 desktop

The Windows 10 free upgrade is no longer being officially offered, but you can use the following option to upgrade then choose the option to Keep Nothing during setup:

Contact MS supportto
request a free upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

The support agent will provide you with an exception link to allow the free upgrade to Windows 10.

Even though the free offer is officially over, you can still use the Media Creation Tool then choose Keep Nothing.

How
to download official Windows 10 ISO files

 

what is the cheapest way to clean install windows 10 on a windows 7 desktop

I missed the July deadline to update but now want to do a clean install...what is my cheapest option?

 

i agree, if there are issues after an upgrade then this is the best course, my laptop however is running perfectly after the upgrade.....but at some stage I will take the plunge and do a clean install it is the best way, as you say.

 

Yet I upgraded two laptops and a desktop and have no need or intention of doing a clean install. All 3 work perfectly.


... but ... if I ever do start having weird problems my first step will be a clean install.

 

I do agree about the clean install. Its really the only way to be 100% sure its not Windows 10 causing the issue. I just wish Microsoft had done this another way so that those who want a clean install (upgrade with keep nothing is still not a clean install) can do it without upgrading first.

 

The only thing I'd add is that when I did a clean install on a cheap tablet I'd bought, it didn't do a good job of finding drivers, which was hassle (especially as some weren't readily available). On that occasion the upgrade install worked better, presumably because it used the existing Windows 8.1 drivers.

 

there is a free program called double driver backup, which I used to back up my drivers before upgrading to 10 just in case, worth doing...

 

For me also after upgrade, things were working without any problem. But sfc /scannow gave errors. After clean install, that errors disappeared. Further space used shrunk freeing more space.