Clean install: To format or not to format??

Hi guys,

I've done some research about my upcoming W7 upgrade DVD and I think the best option for me is a clean install (agree?) but I've also read that you get the option to format the hard disk during the installation.

Would you recommend formatting or not?

Thanks for the advice.

Bob

 

Depends on how much data you have and how much free time you have on your hands. If you are like like me and loathed frequent reformats and reinstalls, I'd stick with either an upgrade or a custom install without formatting.

Without formatting, you still get a clean install but your old files stay on disk, in one consolidated folder, Windows.old.

It is a simple matter of cutting and pasting your old data files to your new User folder. Programs will still have to be reinstalled.

An upgrade is the easiest option IMO. And the most sensible considering if your machine is relatively new. Might as well use that time you save to actually enjoy your machine.

 

I thought an upgrade leaves old files on your system that would slow down in the years ahead?

 

A clean install requires format. That's the whole "clean" part of the install.

What you're asking is if you should manually format the partition or let Windows do it automatically, and the answer is that it doesn't really matter. The only difference is that if you let Windows do it, it saves a backup of everything and dumps it on your new desktop in the Windows.old folder.

 

Thanks Lithus but that's not what I meant by my question.

I've read that when you choose custom (clean install) you can let it carry on with it's default setup or you can go into advanced options and tell it to format the drive you are installing windows on.

In the latter case you would not get a windows old folder.

 

Did you just repeat what I said?

 

Don't think so, you said that you have to format the hard drive but I said that you can if you want but don't have to.

 

You don't have to format the partition. Setup will move the old files into a folder and install a plain jane copy of Windows, just like if you formatted the partition. The only difference is, your old files are still there to copy over. Otherwise, the Windows installation is no different from if you wiped the disk.

 

Clean = I don't want my old files to be saved (atleast for me). This attributes to a small percent of file fragmentation after the clean install.

 

well i also like it this way a complete format of the drive.as i like keeping more then 2 drive minimum(saves ur data)

 

To me, clean install means no residual files left after the new install is complete. So yes, I delete all partitions and format the drive.

 

Good thing you aren't the OP and the advice isn't directed to you.

 

He was just giving his own advice/opinion, what makes your post any different.

 

I should of emphasized the direction.

 

A clean install WILL format the partition. That's the entire point of a clean install. Whether you manually perform the format, or have Windows do it during installation is a choice you can make, but the partition is going to get formatted regardless.

 

Windows won't automatically format your partition.

 

There's a discrepancy here that needs to be pointed out.. Up until Windows 7, I understood the definition on a clean install, as removing the existing OS (format, re-partition, whatever), and re-installing a new OS. For the most part, I still agree with this definition.

However, with Windows 7, you can perform a clean installation (read: not an OS upgrade, but a complete and separate installation of the OS) without removing Vista or XP. As was mentioned, the installation will move your old Windows into a windows.old directory. This is still a clean installation as it pertains to Windows 7.

When discussing clean installations and Windows 7, just be aware it can be one or the other. A clean install in Windows 7 doesn't necessarily require removing the old OS.

 

Vista also did the same thing when you proceed to install the OS without manually formatting the partition. Also "Windows.old" only contains user's files and some program files (some programs won't work without reinstalling).

 

Thanks, I wasn't aware Vista did the same. I've always done "clean" installs, (blowing everything away) but was surprised when I was playing around with 7 that you could do a "clean" (non-upgrade) install without formatting/re-partitioning.

 

Under XP and Windows 98, Setup would do the same thing. It would rename the old Windows directory into Windows.old and install Windows.

 

From Windows 7 install setup:

You can choose to install over your existing partition. (Which I personally dislike) This will leave the old windows directory everyone is talking about.

Or you can choose to delete the partition and choose to install on the newly unallocated space. (The best way IMO)

I strongly feel the same.

 

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all advice.

Livefrmnyc, how do you go about the 2nd method that you prefer?

 

You press that format button, it's insanely user friendly nowadays, those windows installs

 

When you get to the part of setup that shows all your partitions you need to press one of the buttons below to have more options show up. I forgot what the button is called being I'm not sitting in of a install screen. You will then see the delete button. Click the Windows partiton and press delete. It will now show up as unallocated space. Now click the unallocated space and click next. Windows will format & and install clean.

 

No, it won't, unless you tell it to do that.

 

That true if your installing on a already formatted partition. Windows does it automatic on unallocated drives or partitions. Which is why deleting the partiton first is the most user friendly cause someone might not know what type to format.

Also what happens if you try to install Vista or 7 on FAT32? Does it auto format it to NTFS? Just curious.

 

Clean Install = Completely format the partition you want Windows. This leaves a large, unallocated(read: completely empty) partition on your drive. THIS is where you cleanly install Windows.

 

Ever since XP, Setup has only allows NTFS formats. AFAIK, XP or later only allows installs on NTFS.

 

XP can install in a FAT32 partition.

 

Yup, plenty laptops came pre-installed with XP on FAT32.