Creator

I will update when it is available to me. I will only do any preparation if it tells me to -?

As far as clean reinstalling later goes, can I use the Windows 10 media I have now or do I need to do the media creation tool now specifically for creator if that's the case? Is there an expiration date to do this?

I have .WIM now but will likely have to get .ESD with the tool ?
I use the .WIM for the DISM commands but that is incidental right now.

Obviously my question has to do with doing a clean install later and what to use to do it with.
Confused right now

Thanks for any comments.

maranna said:

As far as clean reinstalling later goes, can I use the Windows 10 media I have now or do I need to do the media creation tool now specifically for creator if that's the case? Is there an expiration date to do this?

Yes, for a clean install later you will need new install media with the Creators Update on it. Download a frsh copy of the Media Creation Tool and that will make Creators Update media.

I have .WIM now but will likely have to get .ESD with the tool ?
I use the .WIM for the DISM commands ...

Yes, the MCT makes .ESD media. DISM can use .esd as well as .wim with the option:
/source:esd:<full path to install.esd>

And if you are going to create a Creator's Update USB flash drive for a clean install later, the question becomes why not just run setup.exe from it to do the upgrade now?

I have not installed the creator update yet so don't think I can create the tool yet. Instead of booting off the stick, you run setup.exe?

I am over my head a bit so could you please elaborate about how to use the option you showed. Source would be the drive letter? I am used to .WIM and inserting the drive to work.

I obviously need some direction but am willing to try.

So I think I am OK with installation media for 10. Yes, usually I double click and run setup.exe to upgrade but boot off the media to clean install. I was going to wait for Windows alert me its time to update so bugs can be worked out and I can make any adjustments if necessary.
Don't I have to wait for the installation of Creator to make the media with the tool? If so, at that time, I would create the tool for a later clean installation. I could go to YouTube for a video for questions but I think I just find the site and follow prompts as I did for Win 10.
Please correct me and thank you for replying. Age and health keep me from processing as I used to but I still want to give it a try.
Once it is all set on this older PC I will just coast.

What bugs? I've got a dozen computers running Windows 10 Creator's Update perfectly at my house.

maranna said:

I was going to wait for Windows alert me its time to update so bugs can be worked out and I can make any adjustments if necessary.

There are always bugs in a new version, there were for the Anniversary update too. The Creators Update (1703) has been available through the Upgrade Assistant or the Media Creation Tool since the 5th. My experience, apparently shared by most others here, is that this is the least buggy release of a new version.

MS are rolling it out through windows update in phases, the newest machines, especially those tested in cooperation with the manufacturers are first in the queue. Your turn may not be for some months yet, so if you want it early you'll have to do the upgrade yourself.

Having said that, there's nothing dramatically new in Creators. Your existing 1607 will continue to get the latest security fixes, so there's no urgency to upgrade.

But upgrade does precede the install media tool?
Thank you, Bree, for your courteous reply.

maranna said:

But upgrade does precede the install media tool?
.

You don't have to upgrade before making the Creators media.

You can download the Media Creation Tool now and run it on any version of Windows - even Windows 7. Choose the MCT's option to 'Make media for another PC'. If you are running it on the PC you intend to install it on, then the default settings are already correct for this PC. If you are running it on another PC then you may need to change the settings to suit the target PC - 32/64 bit, language, etc.