Difference between a clean install and an upgrade

[Guest]

It is said that a clean install is much better than an upgrade. Is that true

I am using the ibm x31 with OEM XP Home but I want to upgrade to XP PRO. My computer doesn't come with a recovery CD and I cannot perform a clean install with the upgrade version of XP PRO. Can anyone tell me between a clean install and an upgrade (from XP HOME). Th

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you perform the upgrade procedure correctly, then your
files and programs should remain intact. However, it would
be prudent to perform a backup of your important files just in
case you encounter a revelation of "Murphy's Law".

1. Purchase the conventional "Retail Upgrade Version" of Windows XP Pro.
2. Uninstall any third-party antivirus or firewall programs.
3. Disconnect all peripheral hardware devices, but not the monitor, keyboard or mouse.
4. While at your XP Home desktop screen, insert the XP Pro CD in the CD drive.
5. Select the default "Upgrade" option.... DO NOT SELECT "New Installation".
6. Defrag your drive after upgrading.
7. Reinstall your antivirus program & turn-on the firewall.
8. Visit the Windows Update website and download the necessary updates.

A "clean install" requires a Microsoft Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP Home CD.
A PC manufacturer's Restore CD will not work. Or, you could purchase the
"Full Version" of Windows XP Pro and perform a clean install.

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| It is said that a clean install is much better than an upgrade. Is that true.
|
| I am using the ibm x31 with OEM XP Home but I want to upgrade to XP PRO. My computer doesn't come with a
recovery CD and I cannot perform a clean install with the upgrade version of XP PRO. Can anyone tell me
between a clean install and an upgrade (from XP HOME). Thx
|
|

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Some people will recommend that you perform a clean installation,
rather than upgrade over an earlier OS. For the most part, I feel
that these people, while well-meaning, are living in the past, and are
basing their recommendation on their experiences with older operating
systems. You'd probably save a lot of time by upgrading your PC to
WinXP, rather than performing a clean installation, if you've no
hardware or software incompatibilities. Microsoft has greatly
improved (over earlier versions of Windows) WinXP's ability to
smoothly upgrade an earlier OS.

WinXP is designed to install and upgrade the existing operating
system while simultaneously preserving your applications and data, and
translating as many personalized settings as possible. The process is
designed to be, and normally is, quite painless. That said, things
can go wrong, in a small number of cases. If your data is at all
important to you, back it up before proceeding.

The upgrade from WinXP Home to WinXP Pro, in particular, should go
smoothly, as both operating systems use the same kernel.


Bruce Chambers

--
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