The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Windows 8.1 Clean Install vs Update

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by codesystemsuser, Jun 27, 2013.

  1. codesystemsuser

    codesystemsuser Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Is there any benefit to doing a clean install of Windows 8.1 versus doing the platform upgrade from windows update, such as better performance, etc?
     
    codesystemsuser, Jun 27, 2013
    #1
  2. ninja52

    ninja52 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I don't see the point in doing an upgrade to the preview version (unless if you're testing how well it updates or something). While your data and settings are retained, you can't update it to the final version. There is also an expiry date too, so it'll be unfunctional (restart every hour, etc) after the final version comes out. If you really want to use it, I recommend doing a dual boot or virtual machine. Either way, it's your choice.
     
    ninja52, Jun 28, 2013
    #2
  3. OtherSongs

    OtherSongs Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    113
    Messages:
    640
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Until you can BUY Win 8.1 (neither Amazon nor Newegg still shows it for sale just yet), no one can say with absolute certainty.

    In the past, with Win7 XP etc etc, it has ALWAYS been better to do a clean install.

    Perhaps others can correct me, but my own impression of Win8 is that it has been harder (impossible?) to freely download an .iso image of the Win8 install disk; which is something that you can easily do with Win7 (see my sig).

    When Win8.1 is openly for sale on Amazon and Newegg (next week?) is the earliest that you're likely to start seeing meaningful input on the topic.
     
    OtherSongs, Jun 28, 2013
    #3
  4. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    3,338
    Messages:
    3,322
    Likes Received:
    809
    Trophy Points:
    181
    If you presently have Windows 8.0 Core or Pro installed you can upgrade to the Windows 8.1 Preview through the Windows 8 Store.You will first need to Sign In to the store using you Microsoft ID and downloading an app.

    There's presently no upgrade from Windows 8 Enterprise.

    There's no upgrade from Windows 7 or prior OS so a clean install using the ISO unpacked to a DVD or USB flash drive is the only option.

    I installed from a USB 3.0 SanDisk Extreme flash drive having unpacked the ISO onto it using the MS USB/DVD Tool.

    Installing from the USB 3.0 flash drive was extremely fast.

    When the Windows 8.1 RTM and Final versions are available they can be activated using Windows 8.0 keys.
     
    WhatsThePoint, Jun 29, 2013
    #4
  5. asawyer13

    asawyer13 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    6
    My understanding is that full disk encryption will be enabled by default for new WIndows 8.1 installs. I have a WIndows 8 Laptop which will of course get the free upgrade, but I don't think full disk encryption will automatically be setup, or even be available to me. I don't even mind wiping out my laptop if there is a way to do a clean install of 8.1 with the 8.0 + free upgrade...

    Does anyone have any ideas?? I am perplexed.
     
    asawyer13, Oct 3, 2013
    #5
  6. ajnindlo

    ajnindlo Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    265
    Messages:
    1,357
    Likes Received:
    87
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Microsoft worked on the upgrade process so it trims the fat, unlike previous versions that left a bloated system. At least that is what MS said. But I would just upgrade.

    Maybe you guys didn't hear, but Dreamspark has the final Windows 8.1. So some can get it now. As promised, Windows 8.1 RTM now available for DreamSpark subscribers | WinBeta

    And you can upgrade from Windows 7, but it only transfers your user files across. So not much of an upgrade. But for Vista and before have to do a clean install, and MS has said they don't recomend installing it.

    Microsoft Announces Windows 8.1 Pricing & Upgrade Info
     
    ajnindlo, Oct 3, 2013
    #6
  7. asawyer13

    asawyer13 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    6
    My problem is that I THINK that if I upgrade, then the Full Drive Encryption won't and can't be enabled. If I do a fresh install, it is enabled by default. I just don't know if 8.1 would be installed, if I did a restore from windows 8.1 that was upgraded from 8.0. I am thinking that it would resetup 8.0.
     
    asawyer13, Oct 3, 2013
    #7
  8. ajnindlo

    ajnindlo Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    265
    Messages:
    1,357
    Likes Received:
    87
    Trophy Points:
    66
    I was responding to the OP...
     
    ajnindlo, Oct 3, 2013
    #8