Windows 10: Difference between clean USB boot & executing setup.exe file?

Discus and support Difference between clean USB boot & executing setup.exe file? in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade to solve the problem; I have a Lenovo Yoga 3 ultrabook. I have made a bootable Windows 8.1 USB flash drive. I would like to know what is the difference between an... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade' started by robinpe, Jul 30, 2016.

  1. ROBINPE
    robinpe Win User

    Difference between clean USB boot & executing setup.exe file?


    I have a Lenovo Yoga 3 ultrabook. I have made a bootable Windows 8.1 USB flash drive. I would like to know what is the difference between an installation from the 'setup.exe' file in the USB drive's folder, & a regular clean boot from the flash drive? Thanks for any suggestions.

    :)
     
    robinpe, Jul 30, 2016
    #1
  2. CHARMWOLF30382
    CharmWolf30382 Win User

    Difference between ways of reinstalling Windows?

    What's the difference between reinstalling Windows using a bootable USB drive and reinstalling by double clicking setup.exe in the ISO file?

    (I am trying to install Windows 8 over 10)
     
    CharmWolf30382, Jul 30, 2016
    #2
  3. JEZFED
    jezfed Win User
    Windows 10 1511 Update Disables Windows Defender?

    Thanks for the help,

    I've downloaded the MediaCreationTool and executed it. It downloaded the Windows 10 files to a USB thumb drive. However, there's also a link above to create a Windows 10 manual upgrade disk. So that I'm clear, which would you like me to use? I'm not
    able to set my boot source to a USB port in my computer's bios.

    Since I have the USB drive ready to go, can I just execute the setup.exe from the thumb drive?
     
    jezfed, Jul 30, 2016
    #3
  4. KARI
    Kari Win User

    Difference between clean USB boot & executing setup.exe file?

    Booting the computer with USB or DVD install media will perform a so called clean install. You have to then reinstall all your software, Windows will be as if it was first time ever you have started that PC, new and fresh. If the computer already contained an older Windows installation, its files will be moved to folder Windows.old, you can then copy your personal files and folders from there to your new user folders.

    Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums


    Starting the setup from existing installation by launching the setup.exe from USB or DVD install media performs an in-place upgrade installation. All your installed software will be kept, as well as your personal files, and Windows will be upgraded.

    Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation - Windows 10 Forums


    When the version of Windows on USB / DVD is the same you have already installed and installation is started by launching setup.exe from USB / DVD, it's called a repair installation which is used to fix various Windows issues; all your data and software will remain intact but Windows system files will be overwritten.

    Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade - Windows 10 Forums
     
    Kari, Jul 30, 2016
    #4
  5. NAVYLCDR
    NavyLCDR New Member
    In addition to Kari's explanation - since you mention that it is a Windows 8.1 USB flash drive you have created:
    You can only upgrade the existing version of Windows you have installed to the same version or higher by running setup.exe from the flash drive. You cannot downgrade.

    To downgrade, say from Windows 10 to 8.1, you have to boot from the USB flash drive and do a clean install.
     
    NavyLCDR, Jul 30, 2016
    #5
  6. KARI
    Kari Win User
    Important information which I totally forgot to mention. Thanks.
     
    Kari, Jul 30, 2016
    #6
  7. ROBINPE
    robinpe Win User
    I've been away for a while, I'm posting just to say thank you Kari & NavyLCDR. Everything worked out fine & I have both W.8.1 & W.10 on my laptop & Ultrabook.
     
    robinpe, Aug 18, 2016
    #7
  8. KAMALAGGI
    kamalaggi Win User

    Difference between clean USB boot & executing setup.exe file?

    Also if you execute setup.exe it will download any windows updates beforehand and install them while installing windows
     
    kamalaggi, Aug 18, 2016
    #8
  9. KARI
    Kari Win User
    Only if user selects to download updates:


    Difference between clean USB boot & executing setup.exe file? [​IMG]
     
    Kari, Apr 4, 2018
    #9
Thema:

Difference between clean USB boot & executing setup.exe file?

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