Windows 11 Upgrade versus Clean Install: [Which Option Should You Select]

Windows 11 Upgrade versus Windows 11 Clean Installation

An upgrade is a standard method for transitioning from an older Windows operating system (OS) to a newer version. This process preserves all your computer settings, programs, files, and so on. In contrast, a clean installation involves erasing the hard drive and the current OS, and then installing Windows 11 from the beginning.

As the saying goes, "No one is perfect." Both options inevitably have their pros and cons.

Advantages of Upgrading to Windows 11

1. Users typically perform an in-place upgrade to install Windows 11 on their PC. The process is largely automated with the assistance of the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. 2. There's no need to format your hard drive, reinstall applications, or modify Windows settings after the update, as all your existing data and configurations remain intact. 3. In case of issues or if you decide not to keep the new version, you have the option to roll back to the previous version of the Windows operating system.

Disadvantages of Upgrading to Windows 11

• When upgrading to Windows 11, the OS tries to move all your data from the previous version to the new one. Along the way, it can end up keeping lots of unused and unnecessary files, plus other junk files, which can mess up your fresh install.
• Some programs and drivers that aren't compatible with Windows 11 might not work properly.

Benefits of a Clean Install of Windows 11

• A clean installation enables you to begin anew, free from any bloatware or trial software that came pre-installed on your system, ensuring a fresh start.
• By performing a clean installation, you automatically remove all incompatible programs, eliminating the need to manually uninstall them individually.
• Clean installation can resolve various issues since it eliminates errors and other problems that might occur due to software conflicts.

Disadvantages of a Windows 11 Clean Install

• Some data will be deleted following a clean installation. It's essential to back up your files before proceeding with a clean install.
• After the clean installation, you will need to customize your computer according to your preferences.

Preparing for the Windows 11 Update or Clean Install

As a clean installation of Windows 11 will erase all data on the hard drive, it's advisable to back up your computer before proceeding. Additionally, while upgrading to Windows 11 typically doesn't remove your PC's content, a backup is strongly recommended to safeguard against any potential issues during the upgrade process. Professional backup software, like Todo Backup, proves invaluable here, enabling you to create a computer backup to prevent data loss.

Todo Backup Home is a practical and versatile backup tool for Windows 11/10/8/7. It enables you to back up your files, system, disks, partitions, and more, storing the backups on local drives, cloud storage, NAS, or a secure zone. The software also allows you to create various backup types, including scheduled backup, automatic backup, full backup, incremental backup, and differential backup. Furthermore, it facilitates the migration of Windows 10 to an SSD and the creation of an ISO image from a hard drive. Most notably, it provides 250GB of free cloud storage to help you store your backups in the Cloud.

Here are the detailed steps to back up your computer: 1. **Choose a Backup Method**: Decide on the type of backup you want to perform. This could be a full system backup, which includes all your files, applications, and operating system settings, or a selective backup, where you only choose specific files or folders. 2. **Select a Backup Location**: Determine where you want to store your backups. External hard drives, USB drives, network-attached storage (NAS), or cloud-based services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud are common options. 3. **Prepare Your Backup Tool**: If using built-in backup features, like Windows' 'File History' or macOS' 'Time Machine,' ensure they're set up and configured correctly. Alternatively, install a third-party backup software if preferred. 4. **Connect Your Backup Device**: Plug in your external drive or ensure your cloud service is connected and logged in. 5. **Start the Backup Process**: - **Windows**: 1. Go to 'Settings' > 'Update & Security' > 'Backup.' 2. Click 'Add a drive' and select your connected device. 3. Choose 'More options' to customize the backup settings. 4. Start the backup by clicking 'Backup now.' - **macOS**: 1. Open 'System Preferences' and click 'Time Machine.' 2. Select your external drive and click 'Use Disk.' 3. Turn on Time Machine and let it create a backup automatically, or click 'Backup Now.' - **Third-party Software**: Follow the software's instructions for initiating a backup. 6. **Monitor the Backup Progress**: Keep an eye on the backup process to ensure it's running smoothly. This can take some time depending on the amount of data being backed up. 7. **Verify the Backup**: Once completed, verify the backup was successful by checking that the files and folders are present and accessible. 8. **Set Up Regular Backups**: Schedule automatic backups to occur regularly, such as daily, weekly, or monthly, to keep your data up-to-date. 9. **Test Restoring Data**: To ensure the backup is functional, test restoring a few files to confirm the process works as expected. Remember, backing up your computer is crucial for protecting your important data against loss due to hardware failure, malware, or other unforeseen events.

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup on your computer and click Create Backup on the home screen. Then, hit the big question mark to select backup contents.

Step 2. To back up your Windows operating system, click "OS" to start the backup task.

Step 3. Your Windows operating system information and all system-related files and partitions will be automatically selected, so you don't need to make any manual selections here. Next, you need to choose a location to save the system image backup by clicking on the highlighted area.

Step 4. The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, network, cloud, or NAS. Generally, we recommend using an external physical drive or cloud to store the system backup files.

Step 5. If interested, you can access customization settings such as enabling an automatic backup schedule for daily, weekly, monthly intervals, or upon specific events, as well as options for differential and incremental backups by clicking on the Options button. Once ready, click "Backup Now". The Windows system backup process will commence. Upon completion, the finished backup task will be displayed on the left side in a card format.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade to Windows 11

Microsoft provides a utility called the Windows 11 Installation Assistant to facilitate upgrading your PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11. This tool represents the most accessible method for installing Windows 11 on your computer.

To utilize the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, please heed the following:

• It can only be used on computers with Windows 10 or later versions.
• Downloading Windows 11 requires 9 GB of disk space.
• A valid Windows 10 license is necessary.
• Your PC must meet the Windows 11 system requirements.

Here are the step-by-step instructions to upgrade to Windows 11 using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant: 1. **Ensure Eligibility**: First, make sure your device meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. You can check this by going to "Settings" > "System" > "Windows Update" > "Check for updates." If a notification about Windows 11 is available, it means your device is compatible. 2. **Download Windows 11 Installation Assistant**: Visit the official Microsoft website at . Under the "Upgrade now" section, click on the "Download now" button to download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant executable file. 3. **Run the Installation Assistant**: Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file (usually named 'UpdateAssistant.exe') and double-click on it to run. A User Account Control prompt may appear; click "Yes" to proceed. 4. **Accept the License Agreement**: Read through the Microsoft Software License Terms and click "Accept" if you agree with the terms. 5. **Preparing for Installation**: The tool will then verify your system's compatibility, download the necessary files, and prepare the installation process. This may take some time depending on your internet speed. 6. **Update Progress**: During the installation, you'll see a progress bar indicating how much of the process has been completed. Your device may restart several times during this phase. 7. **Agree to Additional Settings**: After the installation, you may be asked to configure additional settings such as privacy options, Microsoft account integration, or Cortana setup. Follow the on-screen prompts to set these up. 8. **Finalizing Setup**: Once all settings are configured, the installation will finalize, and your device will restart one last time to complete the transition to Windows 11. 9. **Welcome to Windows 11**: Upon the final restart, you'll be greeted with the new Windows 11 interface. Set up your desktop, update any apps, and start exploring the new features. Remember that the upgrade process may vary slightly depending on your current Windows version and device configuration. Make sure to back up your important data before starting the upgrade just in case.

Step 1. Download the tool from the Microsoft official website.

Step 2. Double-click on the .exe file to launch the tool.

Step 3. Click on Accept and Install to proceed.

Step 4. This tool will start downloading and installing Windows 11 on your computer.

Step 5. Once everything is set, click Restart now, and the system upgrade will begin.

How to Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 11

As previously mentioned, a clean installation can potentially erase your files. Hence, it's crucial to back up your important files beforehand. The Windows 11 clean installation process consists of two main parts: the setup and the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE). The first part is the actual clean installation, while the second part occurs after the installation is complete, during the OOBE setup.

How to Safely Perform a Clean Install of Windows 11

In this article, you can learn how to safely perform a clean installation of Windows 11.

The Bottom Line

Windows 11 Upgrade vs. Clean Install; which option should you pick? Should you do a clean install of Windows 11 or upgrade to it? There isn't a straightforward answer. Both choices are feasible, and you can opt for one based on your requirements. If you want to retain your files, applications, and settings, then upgrading to Windows 11 is advisable. Conversely, if you prefer a fresh, uncluttered Windows setup, a Windows 11 clean installation would be the better option.

Whether you choose to upgrade to Windows 11 or perform a clean installation, always ensure that you back up your data to avoid any potential data loss. Todo Backup is an excellent tool for this purpose. It not only aids in backing up your data but also enables you to restore it when needed. Give it a try!

Frequently Asked Questions

< strong > 1. Does a clean install of Windows 11 erase everything? < / strong >

A clean installation of Windows 11 involves erasing the hard drive and installing a fresh copy of the operating system on a laptop or desktop computer. This method can not only be utilized to set up a new device but also to address issues with an existing setup.

2. Will I lose anything if I upgrade to Windows 11? No, typically you won't lose any of your files or data when upgrading to Windows 11 if you follow the proper steps for updating. However, it's always recommended to back up your important files and settings before making any major system changes. This ensures that your data is safe in case something unforeseen happens during the upgrade process. Additionally, some apps and programs might not be compatible with Windows 11, so you might need to check for updates or alternatives for those.

What will happen to my files if I upgrade to Windows 11? By default, all of your files and data will transfer during the upgrade process. However, it's recommended to create a backup of your files before installing Windows 11 just to ensure their safety.

3. Does resetting Windows 11 remove viruses? Resetting Windows 11 can help remove viruses to an extent, as it reinstalls the operating system and restores it to its original state. However, it's important to note that this process may not eliminate all types of malware, such as rootkits or deeply embedded infections. To thoroughly clean a virus-infected system, it's often recommended to perform a clean installation of Windows, followed by updating the operating system, installing antivirus software, and running a full system scan.

A factory reset will usually remove viruses. Before restoring any backed-up data to your device, scan it for viruses wherever it's stored.