Clean installations, Vista style

[Colin Barnhorst]

The definition of "clean" installation continues to raise questions.

This is because MS and many users are not on the same page. For the record,
this is the definition of "clean install" with regards to Vista that
Microsoft is now using:

"A clean installation means your current version of Windows, including all
of your files, settings, and programs, is automatically replaced. You can
back up your files and settings, but must manually reinstall your programs
when the installation is done."

(from http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=395&tabid=1 but
appears other place also)

Notice that there is NO reference to any reformat.

Also, there is NO "clean install" option in Setup. The only options are
"upgrade" and "custom." An MS clean install is what you get when you choose
the custom install option in Setup. If you choose a custom install, any old
operating system files are moved to a windows.old folder which you may then
delete.

However you wish to use the term "clean install," at least be aware that MS
may not be using "clean" the same way you do.

 

[JP]

MS makes up its own rules, that don't necessarily conform to what
everyone else thinks. A Clean install has for a very long time meant
wiping out any previous OS installed and starting "clean".

i.e. delete the partition, recreate it, reformat it, install your OS.

BTW... save yourself a lot of headaches and do a clean install of Vista.
Microsoft OSes are notoriously problematic when it comes to upgrades.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You can make your own rules if you like but you can't reinterpret how MS
uses its terminology and expect the software to behave any differently. You
need to first understand what MS is saying before you can intellegently do
your own thing.

Vista is not installed the same way earlier versions of Windows were, so
don't prejudge that you will have the same headaches you had with those
earlier versions. All installations of Vista, upgrade or custom, are clean
installs of the OS. It is because of the new imaging installation methods.
XP and earlier used file copying, which is notorious for leaving fragments
of the old code. That can't happen with imaging the way MS is doing it.