The reformat/ clean install comparison is appropriate as it pertains to an operating system.

So as not to confuse readers;

An application clean install is the removal of all prior data from a targeted application and then reinstalling that application. The O/S is not reformatted.

This process is normally done in lieu of an over-write which is the process of re-installing over an existing application. Again the O/S is not reformatted.

DA

Yep to everything you said.

Win10 may be free to 8/8.1 users is the rumor. But you should be able to purchase it at full retail online from Microsoft or online at slight discount ffrom the neweggs of the world... or slightly discounted in the walmarts & bestbuys.

Anybody can re-arrange the win10 start menu items,. uninstall the modern & drag & drop regular program shortcuts but you learn to ignore the new, so why-bother.

Install fresh is more or less deleting your windows install and booting from a usb drive with windows installer on it. You don't even need to boot from usb.. just download the iso onto your non windows drive if you have win 8 or newer. Right click and mount or open with... explorer. Choose the setup. It will ask you upgrade or fresh.

I just installed win10 on a new hard drive.. it wasn't formatted ever .. windows took care of it all, ten minutes until it asked for my Hotmail, and said make new account,, then chose make a local account for mike, simple password. Bingo done.

10 min install from a usb stick to a SSD drive.
15 minutes to install on a spinning laptop drive after choosing custom install and deleting the windows drives.

This post was edited by mikie on Tue, Jan 6, 15 at 19:27

My problem with computers has always been the terminology. I do not talk about the PC with friends or family. When I try they don't have any idea what I am talking about, just like I don't understand what techs talk about. I can't understand the people in the 10 forum and the How to Geek when they talk about the things they do. I did not understand DA's instruction

Mikie I know what a hard drive is, but what do you mean by a "new" hard drive? When I upgraded to W 8.1 it took a very long time but was just fine when it finished and I did not prep my PC.

New hard drive.. meaning buy a shiny new never before used empty hard drive from your favorite hard drive store.

Open the computer up and replace the existing hard drive, or just add it as the main drive.

Plug in a usb drive or dvd with the windows install on it...on my computer its press F12, select boot from that usb or dvd,, then it asks English usa keybord or something,, next... install windows now.

Actually quite simple & its very fast to a blank partition or blank hard drive to install windows fresh. At least compared to doing an upgrade or refresh install. Then you go visit your computer makers support site for a couple off drivers unique to your computer.

Thanks Mikie

No instructions. What was provided was an expanded answer to the question, "What is meant by a clean install?".

Emma, what kind of DRAM does your PC have? Samsung, Micron, or another? Do you think Bosch makes better spark plugs than Champion? Do you have a preference?

Just as with these components, a PC's operating system is internal and operates unseen in the background. Most users have very little dealings with it, and the limited interactions are easily directed with guides or help menus. The O/S can mostly be ignored. Your PC user experience is much more a function of the hardware and program software you use than what operating system is working behind the scenes.

If you're curious about computers, I think your time would be well spent to learn a programming language like Java or Basic.

Snidley, not sure how to word this and wording seems to be so important in forums. If I were younger I would get all the schooling I could get regarding computers, but today is my 78th birthday and I have a bit of a memory problem. If I have a problem with my PC and find a solution on line I have to print them out because I can't remember what the instructions were. At this age I am not concerned about the inter workings of a PC. As long as I can take care of my computers and my Ipads, I think I am doing great.

The reason I asked these questions was because I was thinking of putting 10 on my laptop so I could learn a new OS and needed to know what a clean install was. Such a simple question. I was thinking it was just returning it to the way it was when I bought it. I am not about to open an almost new laptop to put a new HD in it.

When the release is in the stores, I will just upgrade it like I did W8 to W8.1 Thank you all very much for your Help!

Dave I did not read your comments as instruction, I just did not understand you explanation of what I wanted to know.

Emma, congratulations and best wishes for a very Happy Birthday! Celebrate 'til the cows come home.

I'm only suggesting that if you want to know more about PCs and information technology, there are probably better ways to become more informed than "studying an operating system". To me, doing so is both unnecessary and a dead end, I was trying to redirect your interest toward something that I think would be more enlightening. But do as you like.

Now I'm confused. You previously wrote, " I did not understand DA's instruction".

There are three types of installation procedures; original, clean, and over-write. You asked what a clean install was, "What is meant by a clean install?" and referred to reformat, " I am assuming it means reformatted.....".

As you were referring to an O/S I saw no problem flip-flopping the terminology. However so not to confuse readers I expanded the information as to clean install so they would be aware that when referring to a clean install of a targeted application reformatting is not relevant. Ditto to an over-write.

Many users are scared to death of a reformat.

DA

This post was edited by damccoy on Wed, Jan 7, 15 at 17:54

Happy Birthday, Emma!!

I was following your question so I could make some sense of this also. Unfortunately, I'm not to sure I understand either. I'm a few years behind you and cannot follow the terminology either. Sooo confusing.

I want my computers to act like TV's. Turn them on and control the channels. Unfortunately, you still need a degree in Computer Science to use them.

Oh, well. Guess in my next life!

Have a great, happy, healthy year,

Jane

EmmaR, I am glad you posted. There was a time when I worked in an office and we got help from IT people. We also counted on our colleagues to share bits and pieces and look over our shoulder. I go back to a time when we wrote code.

I don't know what a DRAM is but you do.

I just bought a Dell computer. What are the chance s of Dell providing classes or a technician to install software in front of you. None....now we look for friends to help or depend on snarky box stores to sell, install and fix.
You have given me pep talks when I was working at Landzdown on a difficult virus and more. I am surprised you talk age as a factor when I know you are pretty good at working out problems and way ahead of me in understanding. You bravely go where I am afraid to go and your questions are good ones. This forum has good knowledgeable people and yet it is still not easy for me. When I take direction i don't necessarily know why or get the vernacular. In the old days some things meant another as an article showed. But you knew all this to be true. I just feel the need to support you.

Did a drive-by Google search using the keywords "computer dictionary" (sans quotes). There are numerous offerings and admittedly some appear not to be "basic".

After a cursory review I have tagged below a site I found possibly helpful for those who require some assistance,

DA

Here is a link that might be useful: Computer Hope

Damcoy, that's a good link. I usually try to research my questions before I come yo this site. Like to pad the brain with some knowledge. It's darn hard to for you troopers who stay on here to start in Genesis.

I read EmmaR's questions lately and I WISH I had her knowledge.

Thanks again for encouraging me to look it up. I like though when someone breaks it down but it is subjective.

Ellie,

it is absolutely admirable that you research first. It's a wonderful learning protocol. Anyone who has been around here for a while knows I have always promoted self-help first.

DA