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Home > Windows Vista Help > Frequently Asked Questions

Should I upgrade or choose a clean installation?

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Published on Wednesday, January 24, 2007

If you want to keep all your settings, programs and files intact, run the Windows Vista disc from within Windows and choose to upgrade; if you want to start from scratch (back up your files first!) then choose Custom (advanced) instead.

Installation versions

A Fresh Start - If you are really set on starting anew, make sure you've backed up your files first!
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calink
I performed an upgrade from Windows XP Home and like the Vista Home new OS (Wish I had purchased premium at this point). Would a clean install have offered me any advantages? And at this point can a re-install be performed if the benefits are work doing this again?
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31/03/07 | 05:22
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JeffO93
Any install, whether Windows, Apple, Linux, etc., gets some cobwebs over time. A clean install is always better, as far as stability and performance.
I build and maintain computers for a living. The computers that give me the most trouble are the few upgraded ones.

An upgrade is only better if you insist on keeping all your settings as close to exactly the same.

I prefer to disconnect the old hard drive and install a new one. Install a fresh OS on the new one. Then when the new OS is updated and running great, hook up the old drive and migrate data and settings.

As new operating systems come out, some things change. Not sure why anyone would want to keep old settings. If anyone is severely afraid of losing settings, they should keep their old PC as-is.

That's my 2-pence-worth.
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15/05/07 | 05:38
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snowwv
having just tried the upgrade the only thing i got were problems. i thought the bsod was my desktop. the clean install is by far the best choice
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16/05/07 | 08:34
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Zandor
A clean install is all ways better.

you could look at it like this clean install = clean fast system.

upgrade = problems brought over from your old install.

and even if you use the upgrade adviser software and drivers might not work after you upgrade, giving you more problems than it's worth.

yes a clean install is all ways better.

just back up all the documents and files you want to keep.

just my 2 cents :)
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16/02/08 | 06:27
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