Windows 11 upgrade vs. clean install: Here’s the difference

Many users have upgraded to Windows 11 since its introduction because of the updated Start menu, Settings, Taskbar, user interface, improved performance, and other features.

So how do you go about installing Windows 11 on your computer? Microsoft provides several options, separated into two groups: in-place upgrades and clean installations.

However, a lot of people prefer to perform a clean install because they are concerned about potential compatibility issues that might occur.

So, what distinguishes an upgrade from a clean installation? Which one is the better option? Let’s find out.

What Are Windows 11 Upgrade and Clean Install?

Moving from an older version of the Windows operating system to a newer version is known as an upgrade or in-place installation. There is no formatting; all the settings, files, programs, etc., are retained. That is, the old operating system is the only one replaced by the new one. Nearly any technical knowledge is not necessary.

A clean installation of Windows 11 entails wiping the hard drive and installing a brand-new copy of the operating system. You can also use this approach to fix problems with an existing setup. A clean install, for instance, can assist in resolving memory, shutdown, startup, app, stability, and performance problems. Additionally, this procedure can lengthen battery life and is the most effective way to remove malware and viruses.

Windows 11 upgrade vs. clean install

Advantages of Windows 11 Upgrade

Given its simplicity, users frequently use an in-place upgrade to install Windows 11 on a computer. The upgrade procedure is essentially automated with the help of Windows 11 Installation Assistant.

Additionally, since you can keep all the contents on the PC, you won’t need to format your hard drive, reinstall apps, change Windows settings, or copy over your files after the update. Technically, you can save time by upgrading rather than backing up your computer.

Another benefit worth mentioning is that if something goes wrong or you decide not to keep the new version of the Windows operating system, you can go back to the older version.

Disadvantages of Windows 11 Upgrade

When upgrading Windows 11, the operating system tries to transfer all the data from the old version to the new one. Many outdated and unnecessary files, registry entries from uninstalled programs, and other junk files are also kept in Windows 11 during the process. As a result, the new system initially appears cluttered.

In addition, some drivers and software cannot function properly with Windows 11.

Benefits of Clean Install Windows 11

A clean install allows you to start over and removes any bloatware and trial software that might have been pre-installed on your system. Further, a clean Windows Registry is available.

Since a clean install removes all the apps, it aids in getting rid of any incompatible software. You don’t need to uninstall these applications manually. Additionally, since you only need to install programs you want, you will regain control over your apps.

Furthermore, errors and other problems are sporadic, and you can resolve some issues with a clean install.

Disadvantages of Windows 11 Clean Install

The worst-case scenario for most users is that the update will delete some data after a clean install. Before you do, you must make a backup of your files. After installing, you must take the time to customize your PC.

How to prevent data loss after a clean install?

You will technically have two ways to prevent data loss after a clean install. The first one is restoring your lost files using a backup you had made before the installation process. You can use external storage to back up your files, and after you have installed the new version of Windows, you can copy files into your PC once again.

Another convenient way of restoring your files is using third-party apps to restore deleted files from your disk. Stellar Windows Recovery tool will help you recover any lost or accidentally deleted files. It offers you a deep scan solution that will dig deep into your hard disk and extract the lost files, or you can choose Quick Scan, which will recover the necessary files quickly.

How would you use the tool? Here is how to use Stellar to bring back your files:

• Install the Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows software.
• Open the application, select the type of data you want to recover, and click Next.

• Select the folder location or drive volume and click Scan.

• Choose files after the scan and click Recover to save recovered data.

After the process, the application will present you with the recovered files. You can then choose to store them in your desired location.

How to upgrade to Windows 11

There are two primary methods for updating the System to Windows 11. Microsoft provides a tool known as Windows 11 Upgrade Assistant that can assist you in quickly upgrading your PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11. It is the most straightforward method for installing the device’s new operating system.

You can also use the ISO file provided by Microsoft to upgrade to Windows 11.

To upgrade with Windows 11 Installation Assistant:

• Download Windows 11 Installation Assistant from the Microsoft website.
• Double-click on the .exe file to launch this tool.
• Click the Accept and Install button to continue.

• After everything is ready, click Restart now, and the system starts the upgrade process.

To upgrade via an ISO File:

• Download an ISO file of Windows 11 from the Microsoft website.
• Mount the ISO file by right-clicking it.
• To begin, open the folder and double-click the setup.exe file.
• To proceed, click Next and accept the license terms.
• The setup utility will look for updates.
• You will be given a window that will tell you what to keep. Click Change what to keep if you want to change the setting. Then, click install, and the tool will begin installing Windows 11 on your computer.

How to Clean Install Windows 11

To clean install Windows 11 from scratch, you must first create a bootable drive.

• Download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool, run it, select the USB flash drive, and then follow the on-screen instructions to create a bootable USB drive.

• Insert the USB drive into your computer, enter BIOS by pressing F2, Del, or another key (depending on the manufacturer) when you see the Windows logo during a restart, and change the boot order to run the PC from the USB drive.
• Select a language, keyboard/input method, and time format in the Windows Setup interface.
• To begin installing Windows 11, click Install now.

• Next, click I don’t have a product key and choose an edition of Windows 11.
• Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) for a fresh install.
• Choose the location where you’ll install Windows 11. Here, you can pick the drives that have Windows 10 installed (System reserved partition and C or EFI partition and C). The chosen drives will no longer have a specific use.
• The installation process begins.

Note: Before attempting to upgrade the operating system from Windows 10 to 11, make sure that your system meets the requirements.

The requirements for Windows 11 are:

• Processor: 1 GHz (Gigahertz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: 64 GB or more
• System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
• Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
• Display: A high-definition (720p) display greater than 9″ diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.

Which one to choose, Windows 11 upgrade or clean install?

The differences between Windows 11 upgrade methods should now be clear to you. Select the best course of action based on your unique needs or circumstances.

The Stellar Data Recovery tool still allows you to recover deleted files irrespective of the option you pick. With this in mind, you can clean install your computer to eliminate potential compatibility problems.

It is also a good idea to back up the data before the upgrade to make the recovery process go more smoothly. However, Stellar has your back if you still don’t feel like backing up your data.

FAQ

• Is Windows 11 free to upgrade?

It’s free. However, only Windows 10 computers that meet the required hardware requirements, and are running the most recent version of Windows 10, will be able to upgrade.

• What if after the upgrade my computer won’t boot?

Fortunately, even if your computer won’t boot, the Stellar Windows Recovery Tool can still recover your files. For more details and instructions, click the link.

• Can I recover emails using the Stellar Data Recovery Tool?

With Stellar Data Recovery, you can indeed recover deleted email data files. The software can recover email file types, including EMLX, PST, MSG, EDB, MBOX, NSF, GWI, EML, and DBX.

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About The Author

Farhad Pashaei

As a technophile, Farhad has spent the last decade getting hands-on experience with a variety of electronic devices, including smartphones, accessories, laptops, wearables, printers, and so on. When he isn't writing, you can bet he's devouring information on products making their market foray, demonstrating his unquenchable thirst for technology.