Windows 11 available on October 5


  • Staff
Today, we are thrilled to announce Windows 11 will start to become available on October 5, 2021. On this day, the free upgrade to Windows 11 will begin rolling out to eligible Windows 10 PCs and PCs that come pre-loaded with Windows 11 will start to become available for purchase. A new Windows experience, Windows 11 is designed to bring you closer to what you love.

As the PC continues to play a more central role in our lives than ever before — Windows 11 is ready to empower your productivity and inspire your creativity.

Here are 11 highlights of this release


1. The new design and sounds are modern, fresh, clean and beautiful, bringing you a sense of calm and ease.

2. With Start, we’ve put you and your content at the center. Start utilizes the power of the cloud and Microsoft 365 to show you your recent files no matter what device you were viewing them on.

3. Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and Desktops provide an even more powerful way to multitask and optimize your screen real estate.

4. Chat from Microsoft Teams integrated into the taskbar provides a faster way to connect to the people you care about.

5. Widgets, a new personalized feed powered by AI, provides a faster way to access the information you care about, and with Microsoft Edge’s world class performance, speed and productivity features you can get more done on the web.

6. Windows 11 delivers the best Windows ever for gaming and unlocks the full potential of your system’s hardware with technology like DirectX12 Ultimate, DirectStorage and Auto HDR. With Xbox Game Pass for PC or Ultimate you get access to over 100 high-quality PC games to play on Windows 11 for one low monthly price. (Xbox Game Pass sold separately.)


7. Windows 11 comes with a new Microsoft Store rebuilt with an all-new design making it easier to search and discover your favorite apps, games, shows, and movies in one trusted location. We look forward to continuing our journey to bring Android apps to Windows 11 and the Microsoft Store through our collaboration with Amazon and Intel; this will start with a preview for Windows Insiders over the coming months.

8. Windows 11 is the most inclusively designed version of Windows with new accessibility improvements that were built for and by people with disabilities.

9. Windows 11 unlocks new opportunities for developers and creators. We are opening the Store to allow more developers and independent software vendors (ISVs) to bring their apps to the Store, improving native and web app development with new developer tools, and making it easier for you to refresh the look and feel across all our app designs and experiences.

10. Windows 11 is optimized for speed, efficiency and improved experiences with touch, digital pen and voice input.

11. Windows 11 is the operating system for hybrid work, delivering new experiences that work how you work, are secure by design, and easy and familiar for IT to deploy and manage. Businesses can also test Windows 11 in preview today in Azure Virtual Desktop, or at general availability by experiencing Windows 11 in the new Windows 365.

Thank you to the Windows Insider Community


The Windows Insider community has been an invaluable community in helping us get to where we are today. Since the first Insider Preview Build was released in June, the engagement and feedback has been unprecedented. The team has also enjoyed sharing more behind the scenes stories on the development of Windows 11 in a new series we launched in June, Inside Windows 11. We sincerely appreciate the energy and enthusiasm from this community.

Rolling out the free upgrade to Windows 11 in a phased and measured approach


The free upgrade to Windows 11 starts on October 5 and will be phased and measured with a focus on quality. Following the tremendous learnings from Windows 10, we want to make sure we’re providing you with the best possible experience. That means new eligible devices will be offered the upgrade first. The upgrade will then roll out over time to in-market devices based on intelligence models that consider hardware eligibility, reliability metrics, age of device and other factors that impact the upgrade experience. We expect all eligible devices to be offered the free upgrade to Windows 11 by mid-2022. If you have a Windows 10 PC that’s eligible for the upgrade, Windows Update will let you know when it’s available. You can also check to see if Windows 11 is ready for your device by going to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates*.

Ready to elevate to 11? There’s never been a better time to purchase a new PC


October 5 is right around the corner — and there are a few things you can do to get ready for Windows 11. First, if you’re in need of a new PC now — don’t wait. You can get all the power and performance of a new Windows 10 PC and upgrade to Windows 11 for free after the rollout begins on October 5**.

We’ve worked closely with our OEM and retail partners to bring you powerful Windows 10 PCs today, that will take you into the future with Windows 11. Here are a few to check out.

Acer Swift 5


The Acer Swift 5 (SF514-55) ultrathin-and-light notebook marries an uber-stylish design with the latest performance technology. Powered by 11th Gen Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i7 processors and verified to meet the requirements of an Intel Evo platform, the Swift 5 has the power and performance to seamlessly run multiple applications and provides up to 17 hours of battery life for all-day productivity. The touchscreen display is covered with a layer of Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass, and you have the option to further include an antimicrobial solution on the touchpad, keyboard and all covers of the device. Click the link above for more details on the Acer website.

Acer Swift X


The new Acer Swift X (SFX14-41G) notebook represents a new segment within the Swift portfolio, the first of its series to come powered with discrete graphics, all at 3.06 pounds. Up to a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU, combined with up to an AMD Ryzen 7 5800U Mobile Processor and 16 GB of RAM offers creative professionals such as video editors or photographers plenty of power. True to the Swift family, all this hardware has been fitted into a metal chassis 0.7 in thin. Click the link above for more details on the Acer website.

Zenbook Flip 13 OLED UX363


Asus Zenbook Flip 13 OLED UX363 has an all-new design that combines ultimate portability with supreme versatility. Its NanoEdge FHD OLED display and 360-degree ErgoLift hinge make extra compact, and the super-slim 13.9 mm chassis houses a wide range of I/O ports for easy connectivity. Its Intel Core processor gives effortless performance for on-the-go productivity and visual creativity.

Zenbook 14 UX425


Asus Zenbook 14 UX425 has an all-new design that’s just 13.9mm slim. It has a four-sided NanoEdge display with a 90% screen-to-body ratio for immersive visuals, and there’s a complete set of full I/O ports. The latest 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and all-new Intel Iris Xe graphics makes it a perfect portable companion.

Alienware x15


Each of Dell Alienware’s X-Series laptops include Alienware Cryo-tech cooling technology and this generation features a patent-pending Quad Fan design engineered to provide the highest levels of gaming performance. Both the Alienware x15 and Alienware x17 are made of premium materials, including magnesium alloy and CNC-machined aluminum designed for structural rigidity, and are finished with a carefully formulated stain-resistant paint formula. Built for marathon gaming sessions, these laptops feature HyperEfficient voltage regulation technology which is designed to allow the system to perform at the highest levels for hours of gameplay.

Dell XPS 13


The Dell XPS 13 is crafted using authentic premium materials, precision cut to achieve a flawless finish in a durable, lightweight design. Designed to create the perfect affinity between aesthetics and functional purpose, it delivers powerful performance and a larger 4-sided InfinityEdge display.

HP ENVY x360 15


If you’re looking for something extra special, the HP Spectre x360 14 features cutting edge 2-in-1 design and superb performance with the latest Intel Core processors along with all-day battery life. If you’re a creator looking for a device that is as flexible as your workflow, the HP ENVY x360 15 is a mobile creative powerhouse, featuring AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors, and Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 for fast connectivity. The Spectre x360 is available at Best Buy and HP.com; the ENVY x360 15 is available at select retailers including Best Buy, Costco, Walmart and HP.com.

2-in-1 Lenovo Yoga 7


Meet the versatile 2-in-1 Lenovo Yoga 7 convertible series, available in 14-inch sizes and designed with rounded edges to feel more comfortable in your hands. Immerse yourself in a vibrant Full HD IPS touchscreen display with your choice of either 11th Gen Intel Core or AMD Ryzen 5000 Series mobile processors plus integrated graphics. Available in Slate Grey hue, go anywhere with a 71WHr battery, a metal chassis that impresses from every angle and thoughtful details such as a webcam privacy shutter. Click the link above for more details on the Lenovo website.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro


Master multitasking with the thin and light Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro series, offering consumers a choice of an LCD or super-vibrant OLED display for greater immersion. Available in a 14-inch size and Light Silver hue, the laptop features either 11th Gen Intel Core or AMD Ryzen 5000 Series mobile processors – both models offer optional NVIDIA GeForce MX450 graphics to boost your content creation. Enjoy the convenience of Windows Hello and an IR camera with a raised notch for easier opening, plus a backlit keyboard. Click the link above for more details on the Lenovo website.

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro and Galaxy Book Pro 360


Samsung Galaxy Book Pro and Galaxy Book Pro 360 reshape the PC for mobile-first consumers by bringing together next-generation connectivity, ultra-portable design and elevated performance. Equipped with 11th Gen Intel Core processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and AMOLED display within super-thin and light body for increased mobility, the Galaxy Book Pro series let you maximize productivity, enjoy immersive entertainment and unleash creativity. With complete Samsung Galaxy ecosystem integration, the Galaxy Book Pro series is now the ultimate link between your devices, fully connecting your digital world. The Galaxy Book Pro and Galaxy Book Pro 360 are available in 13-inch and 15-inch models with color options ranging from Mystic Navy, Mystic Silver and Mystic Bronze for Galaxy Book Pro 360 and Mystic Blue, Mystic Silver and Mystic Pink Gold for Galaxy Book Pro.

Surface Pro 7


Surface Pro 7 is ultra-light and versatile. Whether at your desk, on the couch, or in the yard, get more done your way with the best-selling Surface 2-in-1 that features a laptop-class Intel Core processor, all day battery life, HD cameras and a stunning 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen display. It transforms from tablet to laptop with pen and touch input, a built-in Kickstand, an optional removable Type Cover, and it easily connects to multiple monitors. Click the link above to learn more about Surface Pro 7.

Surface Laptop 4


Surface Laptop 4 offers style and speed. Do it all with the perfect balance of sleek design, speed, immersive audio and significantly longer battery life than before. Stand out on HD video calls backed by Studio Mics. Capture ideas and use your favorite Microsoft 365 applications on the vibrant PixelSense touchscreen display in 13.5-inch or 15-inch models. Choose between 11th Gen Intel Core processors or AMD Ryzen Mobile Processors with Radeon Graphics Microsoft Surface Edition. Click the link above to learn more about Surface Laptop 4, including available color finishes and material options.

We’ll be relaunching the PC Health Check app soon, so you can check to see if your current PC will be eligible to upgrade. In the meantime, you can learn more about Windows 11 minimum system requirements here.

If you’re preparing for the upgrade and you’re not already using OneDrive, check it out. It’s a simple way to help keep your files secure and make it easier to transition through the upgrade or to a new device.

For organizations that are managed by IT, today we announced new capabilities coming in Microsoft Endpoint Manager to help you to assess your readiness for Windows 11 and hybrid work at scale. You can learn more in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager Tech Community blog.

For customers who are using a PC that won’t upgrade, and who aren’t ready to transition to a new device, Windows 10 is the right choice. We will support Windows 10 through October 14, 2025 and we recently announced that the next feature update to Windows 10 is coming later this year. Whatever you decide, we are committed to supporting you and offering choice in your computing journey.

The first version of a new era of Windows


As Panos shared in June, Windows is more than an operating system; it’s where we connect with people, it’s where we learn, work and play. We can’t wait to see what Windows 11 empowers you to do and create.

*Note, certain features require specific hardware; see our Windows 11 specifications page for more information.

**The Windows 11 upgrade will start to be delivered to qualifying devices beginning on October 5, 2021 into 2022. Timing varies by device.


Source: Windows 11 available on October 5
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Unless someone is having problems a clean install is not needed.
That's your opinion. As a computer technician, I ALWAYS suggest a clean install when doing a major upgrade. You risk something getting corrupted such as the registry. It's only happened to me once. It won't happen again, and i always do clean installs on my customers computers as well.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 23H2 v22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built Myself in 2013
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 1800X 8-Core @ 3.60GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Crosshair VI Hero
    Memory
    16GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" , PLANAR 22", eMachine 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~ P34A60 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen3x4 M.2
    ~ 3TB WD Red HDD (extra storage)
    ~ SanDisk 250GB SSD
    ~ 2 X 1TB HDD
    ~~~~~~~~~~
    PSU
    Corsair RM850 Fully Modular (850watts)
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 630 CA-PH630-W1
    Cooling
    CORSAIR iCUE H100i RGB PRO XT
    Keyboard
    Logitech K860
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Internet Speed
    752Mbps (Download) / 537Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    *This is my Main Computer That I use*
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD A10-5700 APU @ 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus CM1745
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R7 350x GDDR5 4 GB
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Monitor Setup ONN 22" Monitors
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    ~~~~~~~~
    250GB SSD

    500GB HDD
    ~~~~~~~~
    PSU
    350Watt PSU
    Cooling
    Air Cooling
    Mouse
    MX Master
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Ergonomic 4000
    Internet Speed
    752Mbps (Download) / 537Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    *Computer for Weather Software*
That's your opinion. As a computer technician, I ALWAYS suggest a clean install when doing a major upgrade. You risk something getting corrupted such as the registry. It's only happened to me once. It won't happen again, and i always do clean installs on my customers computers as well.

I've been on both sides of the coin but then I know my PC. Yes, it's best to do a clean install, but I've also just done the upgrade. It just depends on your system.

That said, I did the clean install of 11, but by then I needed a reinstall anyway. If not for that I would have did the upgrade.

Point is different situations may require different methods :wink:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.
Backup and prepare to do a clean install when/if something goes wrong! :cool:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Unless someone is having problems a clean install is not needed.
My 3 year old laptop running Win10 had all the CU applied, many apps installed, some uninstalled via Control Panel, and various tweaks. Then the Win 11 Insider was applied. All seemed to be working well, but with the official release of Win 11 I chose to do a clean install. The reinstall of my apps and the customization was not trivial, but I maintain an install spreadsheet for this purpose.
The clean install eliminating the stutter on some audio, now displays the count of unread messages in the TB icon, reduced the space used by the OS, eliminated some manufacturer bloatware, and the list goes on. I am now in the camp that recommends a clean install with a major release. A backup is a must, as is an install script if there are more than a few apps to be reinstalled and customizations.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP / Spectre x360 Convertible 13
    CPU
    i5-8250U
    Motherboard
    83B9 56.50
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio(SST)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256GB SSD
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I've been on both sides of the coin but then I know my PC. Yes, it's best to do a clean install, but I've also just done the upgrade. It just depends on your system.

That said, I did the clean install of 11, but by then I needed a reinstall anyway. If not for that I would have did the upgrade.

Point is different situations may require different methods :wink:
I did the upgrade on my System 1 having just built it in July and clean installing Win 10. I may soon put Win 11 on System 2 and only upgrade it as well. If something goes wrong or Microsoft puts a build out to which unsupported CPUs will not upgrade, then I'll clean install Win 10 back on it. I've not done a clean install on that system in at least three years, maybe four and not had any problems.

Since Windows 7 I've found that defragmenting/scannow, optimizing, and not installing/uninstalling much of anything go along way toward keeping a system sound. On older Windows editions I did a clean install about every six months or so, but then I did a lot of installing/uninstalling of new hardware and software especially games since I was heavily into gaming back then.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Wordsworth 10000
    CPU
    Core i7 10700K 3.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix Z590-A Gaming Wifi
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 64GB 3000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Radeon RX480 Strix 8GB
    Sound Card
    Asus Xonar DSX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 2709m
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro M.2 SSD 500GB; Samsung 980 M.2 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Grand Platinum 850W
    Case
    Fractal Design Meshify 2
    Cooling
    CPU-Noctua NH D15 Chromax, GPU-Stock, Case-Noctua Chromax 3x140
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergo 4000
    Mouse
    HP X500
    Internet Speed
    Cable
    Browser
    Vivaldi, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes 4.4.3, Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Klipsch Promedia 5.1 THX
    Asus External Blu-Ray 16D1X-USB 3.0
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Wordsworth 6000
    CPU
    Core i7 6700K 4.0 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Z170 Pro
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 32GB 3000MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Asus GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
    Sound Card
    Asus Xonar SE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP X24ih
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel 760p M.2 SSD 500GB; Intel 540 SSD 480GB; Intel 335 SSD 240GB
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 750W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-B70
    Cooling
    CPU- Noctua NH-D15; GPU-Stock; Case-Noctua Chromax 2x140, 2x120
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050
    Internet Speed
    Cable
    Browser
    Vivaldi, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes 4.4.3, Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP bd 340
    HP bd 240
    Denon DRA-800H
    Klipsch RP-600M
    Klipsch R-100SW (2)

    System 3 Specs
    Core i7 10700K 3.8 GHz
    Asus ROG Strix Z590-A Gaming Wifi
    Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 32GB 3200MHz
    Asus Radeon RX560 Dual 4GB
    Xonar SE
    Samsung 980 Pro M.2 SSD 1 TB (2)
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 850W
    Fractal Design Meshify 2
    CPU-Noctua NH D15 Chromax, GPU-Stock, Case-Noctua Chromax 2x140,1x120
That's your opinion. As a computer technician, I ALWAYS suggest a clean install when doing a major upgrade. You risk something getting corrupted such as the registry. It's only happened to me once. It won't happen again, and i always do clean installs on my customers computers as well.
Hi,
And that's your opinion lol
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-7-10-11Pro's
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer 17" Nitro 7840sn/ 2x16gb 5600c40/ 4060/ stock 1tb-os/ 4tb sn850x
    CPU
    10900k & 9940x & 5930k
    Motherboard
    z490-Apex & x299-Apex & x99-Sabertooth
    Memory
    Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb & Trident-Z 3600c16 4x8gb & 3200c14 4x8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Titan Xp & 1080ti FTW3 & evga 980ti gaming
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek x3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
    Screen Resolution
    1920-1080 not sure what the t.v is besides 43" class scales from 1920-1080 perfectly
    Hard Drives
    2-WD-sn850x 4tb/ 970evo+500gb/ 980 pro 2tb.
    PSU
    1000p2 & 1200p2 & 850p2
    Case
    D450 x2 & 1 Test bench in cherry Entertainment center
    Cooling
    Custom water loops x3 with 2x mora 360mm rads only 980ti gaming air cooled
    Keyboard
    G710+x3
    Mouse
    Redragon x3
    Internet Speed
    xfinity gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    mbam pro
teest
That's your opinion. As a computer technician, I ALWAYS suggest a clean install when doing a major upgrade. You risk something getting corrupted such as the registry. It's only happened to me once. It won't happen again, and i always do clean installs on my customers computers as well.
I think we are going to have to agree that we disagree about needing to clean install when there are no known problems.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
My 3 year old laptop running Win10 had all the CU applied, many apps installed, some uninstalled via Control Panel, and various tweaks. Then the Win 11 Insider was applied. All seemed to be working well, but with the official release of Win 11 I chose to do a clean install. The reinstall of my apps and the customization was not trivial, but I maintain an install spreadsheet for this purpose.
The clean install eliminating the stutter on some audio, now displays the count of unread messages in the TB icon, reduced the space used by the OS, eliminated some manufacturer bloatware, and the list goes on. I am now in the camp that recommends a clean install with a major release. A backup is a must, as is an install script if there are more than a few apps to be reinstalled and customizations.
You do know that you just admitted that you were having problems. In my post I said unless someone is having problems a clean install is not needed.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
@BunnyJ, you liked a post recommending clean installs and one stating to be prepared to do a clean install if needed. Which way do you think is right? One can't go both ways.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
@BunnyJ, you liked a post recommending clean installs and one stating to be prepared to do a clean install if needed. Which way do you think is right? One can't go both ways.
It's one of those it depends. In some cases a clean install is called for but in most an update is better.
Personally.. I like to go with a clean instillation when a new OS comes out and then update from there on.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix B550-F
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viotek 32", 28" ASUS VP28U
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Primary SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus
    PSU
    EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
    Case
    Zalman i3 NEO
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic with Cord
    Internet Speed
    Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
    Browser
    Firefox and Edge
    Antivirus
    MS - Defender
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
I actually updated a system all the way from early days of Win7 through many updates then through Windows 8 & 8.1 all the way to a year or so into win10, before I wiped it and reinstalled - It worked fine all the way through, it was slightly snappier after a reinstall but I put that down to removal of all the crud that builds up as Microsoft are too conservative with their uninstalls of software and utilities.

I did it just because I could and partly for the fun of it after more than 40 years as a pro in this game you need some light relief
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release Preview] [Win11 PRO HighEnd MUP-00005 DD]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Scan 3XS to my design
    CPU
    AMD RYZEN 9 7950X OEM
    Motherboard
    *3XS*ASUS TUF B650 PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    64GB [2x32GB Corsair Vengeance 560 AMD DDR5]
    Graphics Card(s)
    3XS* ASUS DUAL RTX 4060 OC 8G
    Sound Card
    On motherboard Feeding SPDiF 5.1 system [plus local sound to each monitor]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    3XS Samsung 980Pro 2TB M.2 PCIe4 4 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 8TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    3XS Corsair RM850x 850w Fully Modular
    Case
    FDesign Define 7 XL BK TGL Case - Black
    Cooling
    3XS iCUE H150i ELITE Liquid Cool, Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitec MX Keys + K830 [Depending on where I'm Sat]
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitec - MX Master 3S +
    Internet Speed
    950 MB Down 55 MB Up
    Browser
    Latest Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security [Latest]
    Other Info
    Also run...
    Dell XPS 17 Laptop
    HP Laptop 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64 HP 15.2"
    Nexus 7 Android tablet [x2]
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview 10.2 Tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Samsung S9 Plus Smartphone
    Wacom Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom ExpressKey Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest release]
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 17 9700
    CPU
    i7 10750H
    Motherboard
    Stock
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Stock Intel + GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    Stock 4 speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Stock 17" + 32" 4K 3840 x 2160 HDR-10
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400 HDR touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock Aluminium / Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock + 2 fan cooling pad
    Mouse
    Stock Trackpad +Logi Mx Master 3 or MX Ergo Trackball
    Keyboard
    Stock Illuminated + Logi - MX Keys
    Internet Speed
    950 MB Down 55 MB Up
    Browser
    Latest Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security 2021
    Other Info
    Also use an Adjustable Support for Laptop and Adjustable stand for monitor
@BunnyJ, you liked a post recommending clean installs and one stating to be prepared to do a clean install if needed. Which way do you think is right? One can't go both ways.
I'm not BunnyJ.

One path would be to try an upgrade. If it gives an error free result, stay with it. If the result is poor, do a clean install. That's what I tried with 22000.51 over 10. The result was a mess, so I did a clean install.

Another path is to do a clean install to get the best installation, without attempting an upgrade. It's more work than an upgrade, but with preparation I have been able to get most stuff restored in a few hours. (I don't have gigabytes of computer games installed, which may help.)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
It's one of those it depends. In some cases a clean install is called for but in most an update is better.
Personally.. I like to go with a clean instillation when a new OS comes out and then update from there on.
It is strange how the "clean install" brigade rarely advise users of the potential pitfalls of clean installing e.g. if pc has special drivers not in standard iso, licence issues e.g. if user has office installed, user needs to be sure they have record of any licence keys etc.

Of course, they always say somewhat unsubstantiated statements like it will improve performance.

It is my experience that people who say "do a clean install" to improve performance often have not done proper housekeeping to keep performance in tip top condition in first place.

The ONLY time I specifically recommend a clean install is if the PC has become virus infected or hacked.

In all other cases, there is no real reason NOT to try an upgrade first - a clean install should be a last resort OR a conscious decision e.g. a user REALLY wants to start from scratch.

Clean installs need careful planning. I have lost count of the number of times user says e.g. my clean install fails, I cannot get wifi, my MS Office is not activated etc.

As always, the best advice is to make an image/data backup BEFORE doing any upgrade or clean install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
I would hope that anyone doing a clean instillation would have drivers, keys etc on a separate drive and not on their C drive. And in the end.. it's up to each person to chose what to do..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix B550-F
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viotek 32", 28" ASUS VP28U
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Primary SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus
    PSU
    EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
    Case
    Zalman i3 NEO
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic with Cord
    Internet Speed
    Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
    Browser
    Firefox and Edge
    Antivirus
    MS - Defender
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
I'll clean install when I've fecked up my machine so bad it's beyond repair!!! :rolleyes:
And, I'm quite capable of doing the later!!! :cool:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
You do know that you just admitted that you were having problems. In my post I said unless someone is having problems a clean install is not needed.
It is a fine line. Prior to the clean install the system performed normally, apps were not failing, and I was not aware of any issues. None of the things discovered after the clean install were the reasons for doing it.

So a clean install is still good even if someone is not aware of any problems (and can properly handle the reinstall of apps and system configuration).

Maybe we are saying the same thing:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP / Spectre x360 Convertible 13
    CPU
    i5-8250U
    Motherboard
    83B9 56.50
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio(SST)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256GB SSD
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
a clean install is still good even if someone is not aware of any problems (and can properly handle the reinstall of apps and system configuration).
My problem is that I cannot reinstall some of the apps I want to retain. For example, Office Starter 2010 (only available with an OEM install of Office 2010) and the free Microsoft DVD Player app that I got when upgrading from Win7 with the GWX app in 2015 (a limited time offer).

Anyway, I've never had any issues upgrading each time. My system has no problems, despite upgrading from OEM W7 through every version of W10 up to 21H1, and now to W11. Also I find it rather amusing that my system can trace it's ancestry directly back to an OEM W7 install in 2011 :lmao:
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
The DVD app was removed from W10 and only those who had it before upgrading had right to keep it. Those who clean installed has to pay something like $15 for a copy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
I would hope that anyone doing a clean instillation would have drivers, keys etc on a separate drive and not on their C drive. And in the end.. it's up to each person to chose what to do..
Problem is simply vast majority of users do not have the knolwedge base.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0

Latest Support Threads

Back
Top Bottom