clean install or in-place install??

Ok so i will be upgrading my Dell desktop from XP Pro to Vista Ultimate in the coming days and i need some opinions. I've never upgraded OS's before but i do understand the difference between a clean install and an in-place install.

My question: what would you do and why would you chose one over the other?

Thank you in advance!

Hi dustinfrank,

I would always recommend doing a clean install over a in-place (upgrade) install to avoid any potential compatibility problems with left over remnants from the XP install. Just be sure to backup anything you do not want to lose first of course.

Clean Install From Upgrade Vista


It would not matter if you were upgrading from one Vista edition to another higher Vista edition. You will not have any compatibility issues to worry about then.

Hope this help,
Shawn

Thanks Shawn. Yeah i'm good on backups...running a Seagate FreeAgent Pro 500GB external with real-time back ups, no worries there.

I think i will try this when the disk arrives, its much easier than i thought!

Your welcome dustinfrank.

It's easy, just time consuming.

Shawn

but better in the end?

Yes, I believe so. It eliminates so many possible problems, it would be worth the little bit of time doing a clean install instead.

Shawn

thats it then, clean install it is. i'll have the guide you linked me to open on the laptop just a safety net and have Lost on tomorrow night while i wait....

Thanks!

And on another note, i've tried three other "Vista" forums in the last 24 hours and this is by a wide margin the most active with the best information. Well done!

Thank you dustinfrank. I'm glad you like our forum.

Enjoy Lost tommorow. LOL, not a bad idea.

Shawn