Windows 10: Upgrade vs Clean Install

Sorry Wynona but it is MS that is running everyone in circles. They would have been much better off if they laid out all of the facts on the Free upgrade when they first released the information. You will be able to use a Downloaded ISO if you use the MS version to burn it with. You will be able to get it from Windows Update if you so desire. I know that a clean install is the best way to go with this but I have many programs and data that I cannot do without. I no longer have the downloaded files to re install everything. If I go with Windows 10 it will be through Windows update and not until it has been out for at least 6 months. I am done using the Previews as I have wasted enough of my time with Windows 10.
Windows 10 works fine if you use all of Microsoft's Programs. If you use a third party firewall then Edge and other things stop working. So good luck to you and enjoy Windows 10. I will just wait a tad longer.

 

So far with Windows 10 I've been very lucky doing the upgrade option. The only time anything messed up and I had to start over was when I was playing around with system restore and I lost my start menu and search. I might bite the bullet and do a clean install. Luckily I still have time to decide. *Smile

Forgot to add. What ever direction I go a Macrium Reflect image will be the first thing I do.

 

On the rare occasions I do clean installs I use the opportunity to clean out any unused or unneeded programs. *Smile

 

If I go with a clean install I'll use Macrium Reflect to make a image before I install any programs and one after I install all my programs.

 

Been there, Done that. So your not the only one to use the wrong ISO to clean install. I did catch my mistake before I installed any programs. *Smile

 

Yeah, so did I. For some reason, I always look at the bottom right corner to see the version installed. Huh? Build 10074!?

 

I agree with Jeff. MS is not going to make upgrading to Windows 10 that hard. I would imagine it will work something like this. If doing a upgrade from your qualifying OS Windows 10 will install and be activated. If done right you should keep all your installed programs. If doing a clean install Windows 10 will search for a valid key and install and be activated. If a key is not found you will get a screen where you will be able to install your valid key. If you don't have a valid key to install you might get to run it just long enough to try it before it stops booting. This is not from MS, This is how I think it will work.

 

Sounds good to me, Winuser. Not complicated at all. *Smile

 

Yup. Before you mess around with a clean installed OS, install your progs, set it up, and image it. I do the exact same thing. I only keep 2 versions of images for each of my PCs. One fully set up clean image and one current version which gets replaced at least every 3 months or so. And oh, +1 for Macrium.

 

didnt noted any difference between upgrade (10074-> 10122 -> 10125) vs clean install (10125) - experience based roughly on 15hours usage on later and 4-5days on upgrade way

 

I know but if you are doing a clean install on bare metal how is MS going to find the Key. I don't believe MS will make it hard either as they are betting their future on Windows 10.

 

If your doing a clean install just enter they Windows 10 product code that came with the install media your using.

 

deployment choices for W10 (been doing the certificates already, lol)

 

Well that is easy , thanks for the info.

 

Where do you enter the key? I wasnt asked for a key when I installed.