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    Clean Installing

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by nemoris, Dec 17, 2009.

  1. nemoris

    nemoris Notebook Evangelist

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    Sorry I haven't done this before, so I'd like to ask if "clean install" meant it will not save all my HDD's data? I don't have an external atm and was hoping to get Win 7 on my comp (upgrade disc) this week.
     
    nemoris, Dec 17, 2009
    #1
  2. McGrady

    McGrady Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes, clean installing will remove everything on your HD, thus making it "clean." Though if you do clean install, you will still have the availability of your old Program Files folder.
     
    McGrady, Dec 17, 2009
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  3. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    You have two options if you want to keep your existing data on the HD. You can choose the upgrade option, which literally installs Windows 7 right on top of Vista. All compatible programs are migrated along with your user data.

    The second option is to do a Custom Install without wiping your harddrive. When you boot up into Setup, and you choose Custom install and you do not choose to format your partition, Setup will move all your old data and programs into a separate folder called Windows.Old. Setup will then proceed to install Windows 7 into its own folder. Program and data migration will be up to you when Setup is done.

    edit:

    Ignore this. Reading this will only confuse you.
     
    surfasb, Dec 17, 2009
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  4. nemoris

    nemoris Notebook Evangelist

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    Is there any downside in going with that second option? It's just that I hear clean installing Win7 is best for performance or something.

    Thanks.
     
    nemoris, Dec 17, 2009
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  5. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    For performance purposes, there is no downside to going with the second option.
     
    surfasb, Dec 17, 2009
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  6. McGrady

    McGrady Notebook Virtuoso

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    As I recall, I don't remember seeing the option to format my partition when in Setup. Unless you mean before you run the setup...
     
    McGrady, Dec 17, 2009
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  7. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    After you click Custom Install...
     
    surfasb, Dec 17, 2009
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