Windows 10: Upgrade or Clean Install....?

Having read a number of articles on the subject of "Upgrade or Clean Install", I am still uncertain as to which option delivers the greatest benefits with the least disadvantages. Currently it seems that the decision is one of personal preference - but experience shows us that "personal preference" is not to be trusted.

My own "personal preference" about almost anything is largely dependent upon the quality of the first cup of Java of a morning - not what one would call a good measure by which to make decisions.

What is the view of Forum Members - Upgrade or Clean Install...?

T.

:)

 

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.

 

I would say as with any windows installation, if you have the patience, go with the clean install every time.

Rob

 

Of course a clean installation. However it a lot easier if first do an upgrade to get that os is registered/recognised by MS.

 

If you want to get free windows 10 offer you need to upgrade first and after that you can do the clean install

otherwise your windows 10 will not active.

 

Do any of you guy's have a guide for clean install ? It's supposed just remember your PC now after upgrading right ? Thanks btw!

 

As Akane says you must perform upgrade first in order to get the key associated with the install. Then if you encounter annoying issues which can't be easily remedied, you can do a clean install. There is a tutorial on this forum for doing clean installs.

 

I did a clean install of my Windows 7 Pro. I then did an upgrade using the tool. It worked fine with the upgrade and it registered my system so that I could do a clean install.
I did my homework and made sure I had all of the most up to date drivers for my system. I did a clean install and it worked just fine.
I did have a little problem with 2 programs. I removed and reinstalled them and my system is now fully loaded up with programs and running fine.
I do get 3 log errors from Cortana but that is to be expected. I'm sure MS will send down updates to fix Cortana.
Cortana works just fine but I hate errors in my logs. : )

One tip for people doing a clean install with drivers is to take it offline until you have installed all of the drivers. Then put it online and let Microsoft update any if needed. I was not able to install my Intel USB 3.0 driver but, MS installed one for me. That was the only driver MS had to install.

 

Do you have a link to the Tutorial...?

T.

 

I am trying to write a Tutorial for non-technical users as to how to do a "Clean Install". My first attempt at the task has been met with comments such as "...... hmmmm thanks but I think that I will stay with W8.1 ...." Not really encouraging.

Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas or links to anyone who has already written such would be appreciated.

T.

 

You definitively have to update first. Once this is done you can go for a clean install.
The clean install is easy if windows finds all your hardware. What gets things a little
harder for some is when you have unknown devices in your device manager *Smile
For this you should lookup device ids and search to see what it is and get latest driver
from manufacturer site.

 

See here: Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

 

Thanks for your reply. Try telling that to a non-technical user and this is the colour they turn..... *Sick

T.

 

You can upgrade directly then, go to start -> settings -> update & security -> recovery
under the Reset this PC, click on "Get started" to reset your Windows.
However, I was upgraded my Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10 and running smooth without problems.