Does Upgrading to Win10 from WU have clean install option?


  1. Posts : 38
    Windows 10
       #1

    Does Upgrading to Win10 from WU have clean install option?


    That's basically my question. I'm planning to upgrade my Win7 laptop to Win10 next week and I'd like to know if there is an option for clean install (Delete all files, fresh windows settings, old windows moved to "windows.old" folder) from Windows Update or do I have to download Windows 10 Media Creation tool?
    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,169
    64bit Win 10 Pro ver 21H2
       #2

    There is a special procedure for doing a clean install without having to go through the upgrade process. Is this what you are looking for?

    Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #3

    A clean install, by definition, will not keep anything from the previous Windows and will not create a windows.old folder. It is impossible to do a clean install from Windows Update alone - you need to either download an ISO file or create an ISO file from the ESD file that Windows Update will download.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #4

    If it works the same as the Media Creation Tool, you will get a "keep nothing" option. That dumps everything into a Windows.old folder on the root of C, which can be removed later on.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,169
    64bit Win 10 Pro ver 21H2
       #5

    Does Upgrading to Win10 from WU have clean install option?
    The answer to the original question is no. As @NavyLCDR said a clean install by definition keeps nothing from a previous installation. It is not clear to me what the OP actually wants but I did offer the link in post #2 to show how a clean install can be done if that is what is wanted.

    A good backup of all the personal files and a system image together with a recovery disk would all be worth taking from the current W7 so you can reload your files and even restore back to W7 if you ever want/need to in the future.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 38
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Well, by clean install I meant that "Keep Nothing" thingy, as @DeaconFrost said. I'd like to know if upgrading via Windows Update has that option. Simple
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5,169
    64bit Win 10 Pro ver 21H2
       #7

    Famazed said:
    Well, by clean install I meant that "Keep Nothing" thingy, as @DeaconFrost said. I'd like to know if upgrading via Windows Update has that option. Simple
    From my memory of the Windows Update route that I took for my W7 and W8.1 machines I did not get the option to "keep nothing". As part of the process the system creates a way for you to revert back to where you were which is active for 30 days after you upgrade. Hopefully others can confirm that my memory is right!
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #8

    You could always use the Media Creation Tool instead of Windows Update to be sure.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 38
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Alright, I'll give Media Creation Tool a try, thanks!
      My Computer


 

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