Similarly, if there are concerns that the previous OS could negatively affect the newly installed OS, a clean install is better than an upgrade. When an OS upgrade is not possible, due to corrupted or lost files, a clean install may be the only option available to the user. Here are other situations where a clean install is required: When important files are corrupted However, there are some situations where a clean install is necessary.įor example, a clean install is preferable when a new user is assigned to a computer (e.g., because the previous owner sold it to a new owner), and also when the OS is installed on a new hard drive. At such times, it can be easier and safer to opt for a standard upgrade and install. In many cases, a clean install is not required to upgrade the OS or application. in-place upgradeĪ clean install can be a time-consuming process that requires some technical skills and knowledge.

Usually, the installation wizard provides the user with a choice at the beginning of the installation process to select either a standard upgrade (the default option) or a clean install. If the clean install is for a newer version of an existing software that's already running on the computer, it is known as a clean upgrade.īoth Windows and Mac OS X systems allow a clean install for the OS. In an upgrade, user data, files and settings are retained. It is also a good idea to check the backup to ensure that it contains all the data and files that the user wants to retain and potentially access at a later time.Ī clean install differs from an upgrade - also known as in-place upgrade or in-place install -in which the existing version of the OS or application is retained but updated with the addition of new elements. Since existing data will be lost after the clean install, the user should back up all data and files beforehand to an external hard drive, another computer or to an online/ cloud location to prevent inadvertent loss. Any existing OS and user files are removed during installation because the hard disk is formatted and completely erased. With a clean install, the hard disk contains only the new OS. Whenever an OS is installed on a new computer, or an application is installed for the first time, the installation is considered a 'clean' install.

The terms are often heard in reference to operating systems ( OS es ) and software applications. The alternative to a clean install is an upgrade, in which elements of a previous version remain. A clean install is a software installation in which any previous version is eradicated.

Windows 10 pro clean install