Does doing a fresh install make a difference

[Durvelle27]

Ok my question is does it matter if i do a fresh install of Windows and if it makes a difference. I have a HDD that has Windows 8.1 Pro on it from my last 8350 and i7-4770 build with majority of all my games and files that i was just going to use with my recent build under my system specs. I do plan to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro but I'm at ends thinking if it's worth doing a clean install.

 

[REAYTH]

Yes it does.

 

[rtwjunkie]

I recommend a clean install. My non-scientific assessment of problems I have seen and dealt with on W10 is that 70% can be attributed to leftovers from the previous OS that was upgraded.

 

[Kursah]

I've gone both routes...main PC fresh install.. main laptop upgrade. Kid PC1 upgrade, Kid PC2 fresh install. All are stable.

The upgrade creates a Windows.old directory it is supposed to remove after 30-days which is supposed to allow you to rollback, which seems to work best post-1511 in my experience.

I will say this, if you have better drivers and software installed that isn't supported natively in 10, you're better-off doing an upgrade to keep those features and drivers more intact. That I have found for some older hardware where the driver support stops at Windows 7 or 8.

In the days of yore, a fresh install was always preferred...but Microsoft has done a pretty good job of allowing in-place upgrades to actually be carried out with much greater success to the point on 10 I could really recommend going either way. If you like how your system is right now and want to give 10 a go, here's what I recommend.

• Download Macrium Reflect Free.
• Create a full disk image on a USB hard drive or spare hard drive. Create bootable media as well.
• Upgrade to Windows 10.
• Enjoy = Profit.
• Issues = Rollback, restore from image or fresh OS install. Now you have options and all of them lead to you not losing anything!

EDIT: I should add I've seen some experiences like @rtwjunkie states, so here's some more tips.

• Open CMD in Windows, run as administrator.
• Run CHKDSK against C:, if errors, perform repair, if not repairable, replace drive. If pass or drive replaced continue.
• Run SFC /Scannow, if issues not found or issues repaired, continue. If not, report back and I can assist with further commands to get your Windows 8 system back up to snuff.
• Verify drivers, system, programs stable. Perform disk cleanup, defrag/trim, etc. Remove unwanted junk.
• BACKUP your data before performing any major process like upgrading. This should be common sense, but many choose to ignore this and then greatly regret it.
• If OC'd, verify your system is stable or remove OC prior to upgrade process...this will reduce the chances of data corruption and upgrade failure, either of which could lead to a failed upgrade and no longer bootable OS.
• Run MBAM, Defender, whatever you have for AV to ensure your system isn't obviously infected prior to upgrading, see Sol's TPU AV guide if you need assistance.
• Once your system is clean, stable and smooth...go back to the list above this one and let us know how it goes!

 

[Durvelle27]

Thanks guys

I'm going to just upgrade and see how it goes. I don't want to have to re download my programs and 300GB+ of games

But if i have any problems I'll just do a clean install.

 

[Ahhzz]

I know you've already made up your mind, so I guess this turns into more of a "We told you so".... but after too many years working with computers, and almost 20 now doing direct computer support, I completely agree that you should do a fresh install.

 

[qubit]

I'm going to just upgrade and see how it goes. I don't want to have to re download my programs and 300GB+ of games

Normally I'd say do a clean install. However, my own problem-free experience of upgrading to W10 and the excellent points that @Kursah make give you a viable choice here.

That 300GB of games, are they Steam ones? If so, a clean install doesn't mean that you'll have to redownload them as you can move the files. I can go into more detail when I know if those are Steam or not.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

I recommend a clean install. My non-scientific assessment of problems I have seen and dealt with on W10 is that 70% can be attributed to leftovers from the previous OS that was upgraded.

I just did a clean install after replacing my motherboard. Havent done so in 4 years with all the os upgrades lately.

Thanks guys

I'm going to just upgrade and see how it goes. I don't want to have to re download my programs and 300GB+ of games

But if i have any problems I'll just do a clean install.

Are you games stored on another drive, are they on steam? If so, when the OS is installed just run steam.exe and itll update and re-recognize everything so you dont have to reinstall games.

 

[Durvelle27]

Normally I'd say do a clean install. However, my own problem-free experience of upgrading to W10 and the excellent points that @Kursah make give you a viable choice here.

That 300GB of games, are they Steam ones? If so, a clean install doesn't mean that you'll have to redownload them as you can move the files. I can go into more detail when I know if those are Steam or not.

I just did a clean install after replacing my motherboard. Havent done so in 4 years with all the os upgrades lately.


Are you games stored on another drive, are they on steam? If so, when the OS is installed just run steam.exe and itll update and re-recognize everything so you dont have to reinstall games.

Mixture of Steam and Origin

 

[cadaveca]

Mixture of Steam and Origin

steam, do as suggested. Origin; install, then copy files over with origin not running. Origin only works for all titles if you chose to keep install files. So, once copied, try install the titles you have already, and most should work, but some will not unless you have the install files.

 

[Durvelle27]

steam, do as suggested. Origin; install, then copy files over with origin not running. Origin only works for all titles if you chose to keep install files. So, once copied, try install the titles you have already, and most should work, but some will not unless you have the install files.

Problem with that is

I'd need additional storage to copy files to and then back

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Problem with that is

I'd need additional storage to cooy files to and then back

i didnt bother doing that with Origin since i only had 1 installed game.

 

[Durvelle27]

i didnt bother doing that with Origin since i only had 1 installed game.

Man i have

Crysis
Crysis 2
Crysis 3
Battlefield 3
Battlefield 4
Battlefield Hardline
Starwars Battlefront
Titanfall
Need For Speed The Run
Need For Speed Rivials
Need For Speed Most Wanted
Hot Pursuit
Medal of Honor
Just Cause
Plants vs Zombies
Plants vs Zombies GW
The Sims 3
The Sims 4

Plus more

 

[qubit]

Problem with that is

I'd need additional storage to cooy files to and then back

I see you've got several drives already, so could you not use some of those as scratch space? If not, then I'd recommend buying an extra drive then. Even a cheap HDD just for scratch space will do.

I have over 200 Steam games and quite a few on Origin, most of them free. We're talking well over 1TB of storage here.

 

[Durvelle27]

I see you've got several drives already, so could you not use some of those as scratch space? If not, then I'd recommend buying an extra drive then. Even a cheap HDD just for scratch space will do.

I have over 200 Steam games and quite a few on Origin, most of them free.

Other drives have thints on them and no space for games to copy too

I guess I'll make a WTB thread for a 500GB+ drive

 

[qubit]

Other drives have thints on them and no space for games to copy too

I guess I'll make a WTB thread for a 500GB+ drive

Sounds like a plan.

 

[erocker]

You are guaranteed to get at least some small but annoying issue... Maybe you'll get lucky. Perhaps while on your old o/s you can sort your data somewhere else and have a more dedicated o/s drive so it's easy to do a fresh install.

 

[Jetster]

It's like this. If you have any issues you will always be thinking's "should I have done a clean install" So unless your just running some benches or testing hardware then do it right. Especially if your changing chip sets