Windows 10: Upgrade or Clean install?

I installed Win10 (clean Install) then reinstalled Win7 (clean). I'm now going to reinstall Win10 again after getting answers to issues I had with it. So my question, is it easier to just upgrade to Win10 since my programs are already installed in Win7, rather than a clean install which would save me time having to install all my program disc's again. Baring any problems this would allow me to get 10 installed & up and running with all my programs in place. Which way is best. I do have Win7 back upped to a disc using Acronis. Since I just put in Win7 I thought I might escape with an upgrade.

I was told since I had installed and registered Win10 I wouldn't be able to use the upgrade route? I did put in my Serial # when asked during the Win10 installation so would that force me to do a clean install? I would like to do this quickly but if that wont work I will just have to do a clean install of Win10.

:)

 

Upgrade or clean install?

Whilst it isn't required, I find for the best experience and performance a clean install is always the best way to go.

 

Upgrade or clean install?

There's a new release version 1511 November 2nd that will allow you to insert your Windows 7,8 or 8.1 Product Key to Activate free Upgrade version during a Clean Install.

You can also do the Upgrade now and if not satisfied once it's confirmed Activated do a

Clean Reinstall Windows 10 Upgrade.

These steps I've compiled in helping with a couple thousand Upgrades here avoid most problems and minimize any corruption or factory bloat being passed into Upgrade:

If confident your hardware is modern enough to meet the Windows 10 Specifications including
any unsupported OS features, then you can bypass Get Windows 10 app in the System Tray to
Install Windows 10 using the media creation tool choosing
the first option to automate the Upgrade which overcomes almost all issues with Get Windows 10 in the System Tray.


However in the same amount of time it takes to download that option, you can choose the second option "Create Media for another PC" to make bootable flash or DVD media to keep for any needed repairs or reinstall, and can be run from Desktop to Upgrade.
This media also gives you an extra option to Save Nothing during the Upgrade which overcomes Upgrade choking on corruption or bloated factory installs and gets as close to a superior Clean Install as an Upgrade can get.

To run the Upgrade the media must be opened in Windows 7/8.1, then right click Setup file to Run as Administrator.

If asked do not insert a Product Key at any time, just click Skip or Next.

If you want to maximize chances for a successful Upgrade, then choose to Save Nothing so the Upgrade has much less to choke on and has less problems after install. Make sure your files are backed up separately and you have
your program installers and any Product Keys for programs like Office.

To improve the Upgrade's chances turn off everything at Startup:

Type msconfig in Start Search box, right click System Config Utility to Run as Administrator. In Startup and Services tabs
after making sure to Hide all MS Services disable everything except anti-virus, any synch, stickies, printer using scan.

Uninstall any anti-virus except Defender. Bloated AV's like Norton, MacAfee, AVG and Avast need to have special
Uninstallers (removal tools) for common antivirus software - ESET Knowledgebase.

It’s highly recommended to Create a backup System Image of
your existing OS before upgrading, which can be recovered using the booted Windows installation media,
Repair CD or
Recovery flash drivein 20 minutes. Type Backup in Start Search box,
in Backup and Recovery Center choose Create a System Image. You can also use a more flexible imaging program like free
Macrium Imaging which allows recovery to any partition position
on the hard drive.

Immediately after install, type Update in Start Search box to Check for Updates, expedite these through requested restart, then check again until no more are offered.

Next right click Start button to open Device Manager, import any drivers still missing from the PC or Device's Support Downloads webpage.
How to: Install and Update drivers in Windows
10 - Microsoft Community

Stick with built-in Defender in Windows 10 for best performance and adequate protection. If you get infected add the inexpensive Real Time protection from the best-in-class free malware scanner
Malwarebytes. No one I’ve had do this has ever been infected again. I'd also periodically scan with free Malwarebytes
and AdwCleaner scanners.

Feel free to ask back any questions and keep us posted on how it goes.

 

You can certainly try an upgrade. It should not ask you for a key. Upgrade worked fine for me although others have had issues. If you do run into issues you can always do a clean install after but as you say an upgrade will save you having to install all your programs again.

Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation - Windows 10 Forums

 

On all my systems have only done upgrade
Once the next big upgrade is released and running on all my systems ok will probably do a clean install then.
But being as all running ok with upgrade I am leaving well alone.

 

I may be speaking out of turn here but I understand, maybe incorrectly, that using the free upgrade only gives one a 32bit version of Windows 10. To get a 64 bit version doesn't it still have to be a clean install? Maybe you are happy with the 32bit version but I see from your avatar you say you have a 64bit version.

 

The upgrade process allows you to install either the 32 or 64bit version. I perform the upgrade and I have a 64bit OS set up.

 

It upgrades the version you have. If you have the 32 bit version you will upgrade to Win 10 32 bit. If you have a 64 bit version you will upgrade to Win 10 64 bit.

 

Thank you for that information. Much appreciated.

Is that a recent change? I'm not an expert in computer processes at all and reversed my initial attempt to upgrade quite a few months ago from Win7 Home Premium 64bit because originally there didn't seem to be a choice and I ended up with a 32 bit version.

 

As Winuser says, upgrades always upgrade to same type as original install. You do not get a choice when upgrading.

 

*Ditto*Thumbs

 

Maybe I'm not using the right language but I took advantage of the free upgrade offer to upgrade my Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit system to Windows 10. After the upgrade My Computer was showing I had Windows 10 Home - but a 32bit system. Therefore I reversed the upgrade and went back to my Windows 7 system and that's where I am still.

I am hesitant to do anything yet about trying the upgrade offer again..

 

I don't know how you did the upgrade. When you upgraded you it should have been upgraded to the 64bit version and not the 32bit version. Are you sure you were upgraded to a 32bit version of Win 10?

 

Agree totally with you there if 64 bit on 7 then 64 bit on 10 so either they altered it as was upgrading or they read it wrong

 

Aurondium,

Assuming for unknown reason you do end up with a 32-bit version.
If you still want a 64-bit version, you will have to do a Clean Install.
Have a look at this tutorial
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1...n-install.html

The tutorial is quite "involving".
Please feel free to ask questions to make sure you understand correctly instead of "assuming" or guessing what it means.