I plan to buy W 10 when it comes out if it is not outrageously expensive. I will put it on my laptop which was originally W 8, then updated to W 8.1. I need to know how to prep the laptop. I keep seeing a "clean install" and do not know what that means. I can reformat it if necessary, but that would put it back to W8.
I just googled the question and it sounds like I will get an option after starting the installation. Am I right?
Clean install is when you boot from the install media and format a selected partition/drive. You'll still be able to upgrade from Win8.1 to Win10, but I personally always prefer a fresh install.
And what do you mean by fresh install?
And what do you mean by fresh install?
Fresh = Clean
Thanks, sorry for the dumb question, the terminology used here is like a foreign language to me. I have googled for a lot of definitions since I found this forum. None of my women friends understand me when I talk computer. They think I am techy and I just let them think that. But I am not on the level you all are.
A clean install is where you take the ISO for Win10 or any copy of windows and wipe the hard drive clean and install the OS from the ISO. Here's how you do it:Thanks, sorry for the dumb question, the terminology used here is like a foreign language to me. I have googled for a lot of definitions since I found this forum. None of my women friends understand me when I talk computer. They think I am techy and I just let them think that. But I am not on the level you all are.
Jeff
That is for a W 10 Technical Preview, I am thinking about the finished product that will be released to the public. Is it the same? Will I be able just to install over my W 8.1 without prep work.
It works the same way for any version of windows..well I've done it from Win7 on. An instillation over Win8.1 would be an update and that might be what you want to do if you don't want to install all of your programs/apps again. But, you can perform a clean install and wipe Win8.1 off of your PC.That is for a W 10 Technical Preview, I am thinking about the finished product that will be released to the public. Is it the same? Will I be able just to install over my W 8.1 without prep work.
I want to be sure my reformat disk will work after upgrade. Reformatting has save me a lot of money when I can't fix my problem.
My thought of a clean install is to have access to bootable install media and during the install, remove the Critical Partitions prior to installing the new OS.
What are Critical Partitions, the ones necessary for the OS to operate, such as the OS and any Recovery, System, or MSR ones usually at the front of the Hard Drive. If you are not sure, ask before deleting any of these.
You might want to keep in mind some of the problems encountered during the 8 to 8.1 upgrade in that folks purchasing the OS from the Microsoft Store did not have access to the install files in order to Refresh their 8.1 system back to 8.1.
Another 8 to 8.1 upgrade problem was that some OEM configurations were not compatible with recovering those systems back to Windows 8. Since the install files were not available, some folks saw substantial problems getting their system operational after some type of Recovery event took place.
My best advice to you would be to find out if the Windows 10 install files will be available to you in case problems arise. Then wait about two weeks after the OS is released and come back to the forum to see what type of problems folks are seeing.
We may get some clarification tomorrow as to how the Windows 10 rollout will happen. But it will be an evolving process and may change in the months building to the final release.
