Doing an upgrade install over your existing OS can sometimes introduce problems that would otherwise be absent in a clean install. Old, unneeded files, registry keys, or drivers may be left behind and could cause conflicts. While it is a pain to backup/restore your files and reinstall all your programs, a clean install is almost always preferable and worth the extra effort.
To remove an extra/unused programs from my machine.
Jesse - thanks for the info. After I posted this, I found something on the Microsoft web site that said you need to boot up in Vista, insert the disk, and then you have the option of selecting "Custom Installation" for a clean install. Would this do the same thing as booting to the DVD?
Thanks! I wasn't intending to do a custom install, but this sounds like a good idea. Now, I just have to make sure I have the dics/know where to download all my current programs.
dlr356
79 Posts
0
October 28th, 2009 11:00
Can you explain why you would want to do a clean install? Trying to figure out what I should do. Thanks, Debra
DELL-Jesse L
Moderator
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17.9K Posts
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October 28th, 2009 11:00
todd_l,
Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.
Boot to the Win 7 disc and choose the option to do a complete install.
waldodj
16 Posts
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October 28th, 2009 13:00
Actually I believe it's called "Custom Install".
Doing an upgrade install over your existing OS can sometimes introduce problems that would otherwise be absent in a clean install. Old, unneeded files, registry keys, or drivers may be left behind and could cause conflicts. While it is a pain to backup/restore your files and reinstall all your programs, a clean install is almost always preferable and worth the extra effort.
todd_l
59 Posts
0
October 28th, 2009 13:00
To remove an extra/unused programs from my machine.
Jesse - thanks for the info. After I posted this, I found something on the Microsoft web site that said you need to boot up in Vista, insert the disk, and then you have the option of selecting "Custom Installation" for a clean install. Would this do the same thing as booting to the DVD?
todd_l
59 Posts
0
October 28th, 2009 13:00
Great, thanks, that's kind of what I was thinking.
todd_l
59 Posts
0
October 28th, 2009 13:00
Should I still run the Dell Upgrade Assistant first? Or does that not matter since everything will be wiped out anyway?
DELL-Chris Bu
184 Posts
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October 28th, 2009 13:00
todd_l,
It's probably still a good idea to run the Dell Upgrade Assistant, if only to identify any driver updates you may need to install for Windows 7.
dlr356
79 Posts
0
October 28th, 2009 13:00
Thanks! I wasn't intending to do a custom install, but this sounds like a good idea. Now, I just have to make sure I have the dics/know where to download all my current programs.