New Build

rcferris · Apr 26, 2022

My current PC is getting old, so plan to build a new one.

Win10 Pro Retail is my current OS.

Question is if I should simply move my OS SSD to my new machine, and then upgrade to WIN11, or do a clean install of WIN 11 on the new machine, perhaps with a new SSD.

Archigos · Apr 26, 2022

That's personal preference, but if it were me, I'd do a clean install on a new SSD and if possible, put the old SSD in as a secondary drive

pparks1 · Apr 27, 2022

My preference would be to always build again from scratch on a new machine. Otherwise, if you bring over an OS with any potential problems it makes trying to troubleshoot your new hardware more difficult as you can never be sure if it's the new stuff, or something with the OS that's not happy after the move.

I'd just take an image of the SSD therefore you can always restore it if you need it back, or you can mount the backup and pull any files that you need that you may have forgotten about.

rcferris · Apr 28, 2022

Thanks for both replies. You've confirmed my thoughts, and will go with clean install.

cereberus · May 3, 2022

rcferris said:
Thanks for both replies. You've confirmed my thoughts, and will go with clean install.

I rather disagree Why not just try ssd in new pc - good chance it will just work. You can always clean install later.

Dru2 · May 3, 2022

cereberus said:
Why not just try ssd in new pc - good chance it will just work. You can always clean install later.

I've done this a few times and it works without issue. However, I do prefer to start fresh with a clean install on a new build; but yes, with modern OS' like 10 and 11 this can be done no issue. That said if going from one CPU make (Intel to AMD), you might want a clean install.

jvickers · May 3, 2022

I always just stick my current SSD into the new machine. It's always worked for me as well. Plus, it takes forever to reinstall software.

Edwin · May 3, 2022

jvickers said:
it takes forever to reinstall software.

I haven't done a clean install in ages, just for that very reason!
I appreciate apps/programs that allow you to export settings!

NavyLCDR · May 3, 2022

My action would be to create a system image backup of the old system before moving. Then move the SSD from the old computer to the new computer and give it a shot at booting and adjusting to new hardware. That way all of your settings, data, and programs move with it.

pparks1 · May 3, 2022

jvickers said:
I always just stick my current SSD into the new machine. It's always worked for me as well. Plus, it takes forever to reinstall software.

And that typically is the very reason that I do a clean install.....get rid of all of the old installed stuff that I no longer use. Over time there are apps that I have used for a while, and either found a replacement product or don't have the particular need to run a piece of software anymore. I'd rather start clean and thus will only add it back after I determine that I do actually need it.

bobkn · May 3, 2022

pparks1 said:
And that typically is the very reason that I do a clean install.....get rid of all of the old installed stuff that I no longer use. Over time there are apps that I have used for a while, and either found a replacement product or don't have the particular need to run a piece of software anymore. I'd rather start clean and thus will only add it back after I determine that I do actually need it.

An interesting idea.

Many years ago, I was told of a woman (who I never met) who packed a large suitcase and moved every few years, leaving behind all the rest of her possessions. (The most valuable thing she abandoned was a newish baby grand piano.) She didn't want to be owned by her stuff.

It never occurred to me that the same could apply to software.

rcferris · May 3, 2022

Thanks for all the good suggestions and valid points.

How about this?

I have my original WIN 10 Pro Retail disc(s). If I put a new SSD in my new system, and install the WIN 10Pro, then let MS upgrade me to the Win11. Installing WIN 10 Pro on my new systems takes care of many of the concerns about installing WIN 11 on top of an "old" Win 10. Essentially I'd be doing a clean install of WIN 10... I think.

Plus a new Win 11 from MS costs $200.00.

johnlgalt · May 3, 2022

I'm in the same camp as the other 'clean installers'. Heck, I bought new SSDs a couple of months ago and proceeded to cleanly install Windows 11 again. Installing software doesn't take that long these days, even it is a lot of software - if you know how to copy relevant info from the old Users folder to the new one after installing but before running said software. With all the clean installs I've done, I've probably only started fresh profiles in my browsers maybe ... twice? in the last 5 years.

NavyLCDR · May 3, 2022

rcferris said:
Thanks for all the good suggestions and valid points.

How about this?

I have my original WIN 10 Pro Retail disc(s). If I put a new SSD in my new system, and install the WIN 10Pro, then let MS upgrade me to the Win11. Installing WIN 10 Pro on my new systems takes care of many of the concerns about installing WIN 11 on top of an "old" Win 10. Essentially I'd be doing a clean install of WIN 10... I think.

Plus a new Win 11 from MS costs $200.00.

The product keys are exactly the same for Windows 10 and Windows 11. So instead of installing your original Windows 10 Pro and then upgrading to Windows 11, why not download Windows 11 for free from Microsoft, install it, and activate it with your Windows 10 Pro product key?

If you are doing a clean install anyway, and you want to end up with Windows 11, installing Windows 10 first is a waste of time.

cereberus · May 4, 2022

johnlgalt said:
I'm in the same camp as the other 'clean installers'. Heck, I bought new SSDs a couple of months ago and proceeded to cleanly install Windows 11 again. Installing software doesn't take that long these days, even it is a lot of software - if you know how to copy relevant info from the old Users folder to the new one after installing but before running said software. With all the clean installs I've done, I've probably only started fresh profiles in my browsers maybe ... twice? in the last 5 years.

Why do the New Camp followers always advise to nuke WITHOUT adding proper caveats.

I have lost count of number of times where a poster has clean installed, and found drivers are missing and in some cases pc will not see storage, connect to internet etc.

Also, people go to reinstall office (say) and realise they do not have installation codes.

So
caveat 1 - make image backup of current pc, in case you need to go back.
caveat 2 - backup all drivers
caveat 3 - try and get as complete a set of drivers for new pc.
caveat 4 - make sure you have all installation codes from things like MS Office. IF THESE ARE LOST, DO NOT CLEAN INSTALL.

The safest way to move OS to new device is to make a custom install.wim image of old installation, the inject drivers of new pc into install.wim, and create a custom installation usb. There are tutorials how to do this.

Clean installing should be a last resort. Done incorrectly can cause lots of grief.

johnlgalt · May 4, 2022

cereberus said:
Why do the New Camp followers always advise to nuke WITHOUT adding proper caveats.

I have lost count of number of times where a poster has clean installed, and found drivers are missing and in some cases pc will not see storage, connect to internet etc.

Also, people go to reinstall office (say) and realise they do not have installation codes.

So
caveat 1 - make image backup of current pc, in case you need to go back.
caveat 2 - backup all drivers
caveat 3 - try and get as complete a set of drivers for new pc.
caveat 4 - make sure you have all installation codes from things like MS Office. IF THESE ARE LOST, DO NOT CLEAN INSTALL.

The safest way to move OS to new device is to make a custom install.wim image of old installation, the inject drivers of new pc into install.wim, and create a custom installation usb. There are tutorials how to do this.

Clean installing should be a last resort. Done incorrectly can cause lots of grief.

I will respectfully but completely disagree with you on clean installing being the last resort. When it comes to hardware changes, I'm always going to advocate for a clean install (GPU change is the only exception, I don't think that is necessarily warranted in that case).

He is building a new PC. Why would you try to move that from the old PC to the new PC? If something does not work correctly when transferring, then he is down 2 machines simultaneously, unless he moves the old drive back to the old PC. And in that case, it's better to start clean with the new PC and keep the old PC itself as the backup until the new PC is up and running.

Dru2 · May 5, 2022

cereberus said:
I have lost count of number of times where a poster has clean installed, and found drivers are missing and in some cases pc will not see storage, connect to internet etc.

Sorry but this only happens because people "assume" Windows provides all drives for all devices - this is not true. Windows provides a base set of drivers "essential" to insuring certain device work at a basic level when detected. Example storage devices, keyboards, Mouse, monitors, and GPUs. Typically not included are soundcard drivers, since they're not deemed "essential" to getting the OS up and running.

Also, if a PC isn't seeing a storage drive during an install, its not the OS, but the drive or it's connection to the motherboard as it's the motherboard (BIOS) that actually detects all (hardware) storage device connected to it and thus allows an OS to see them.

BTW, I'd always suggest one check Device Manager immediately after a build to see check for any driver issues. They'll usually show as a yellow question mark for missing drivers, or a yellow exclamation mark for a problematic device (typically a problematic driver or hardware issue).

Anyway, at the end of the day If a person is going to build PC, they'd better know how to install drivers as that IS part of the package.

Peace

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cereberus · May 5, 2022

johnlgalt said:
I will respectfully but completely disagree with you on clean installing being the last resort. When it comes to hardware changes, I'm always going to advocate for a clean install (GPU change is the only exception, I don't think that is necessarily warranted in that case).

He is building a new PC. Why would you try to move that from the old PC to the new PC? If something does not work correctly when transferring, then he is down 2 machines simultaneously, unless he moves the old drive back to the old PC. And in that case, it's better to start clean with the new PC and keep the old PC itself as the backup until the new PC is up and running.

Disagree as much as you like but in the end it is up to OP to decide what suits them.

It is bullshit to tell a guy to clean install without taking their needs into account.

Besides W10 is very good at transferring an existing OS to new pc. I have done it many times.

Bree · May 5, 2022

cereberus said:
...in the end it is up to OP to decide what suits them.

It is bullshit to tell a guy to clean install without taking their needs into account.

Besides W10 is very good at transferring an existing OS to new pc. I have done it many times.

@rcferris did in fact ask in post #1 about the merits of transferring the OS from the old machine vs. a clean install. So opinions on either are a valid response to the question.

In the case of System One in my specs below I had software I needed to keep, some of which would be impossible to re-install. So I did transfer the W10 OS from the old machine and let Windows Update upgrade it to 11 once it was running on compatible hardware. That was transfering from an Intel based PC to one with an AMD chipset by the way, so transferring Windows certainly can cope with big hardware changes.

I have another compatible machine where I clean installed W11. To be honest there's nothing to choose between the two PCs, both work equally well and without any issues.

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