Windows Reset or Clean Install?

izzydz · Aug 31, 2022

Hi,

Are there any benefits between using Windows Installation Media for a clean install of Windows 11 or using the Reset function in recovery? I want to perform a full wipe and fresh install of Windows 11 and I don't know which option is more thorough.

Thanks,
Iskandar

glasskuter · Aug 31, 2022

Though a reset and remove everything and a clean install is basically the same thing, the difference between a clean install and a reset is in the way that Windows wipes out the data. A clean installation wipes the drive clean and removes all data from it, including third-party software and custom device drivers as well as any bloatware that came from the manufacturer.

If one is going to do a 'reset and remove everything' IMO taking a little more time and going the extra step of downloading the latest iso to do a clean install is preferable, but that's just me.

This is the best article I've ever seen explaining the differences. Take a look at the chart at the end that compares recovery options side by side.

Reset vs Clean install vs In-place Upgrade in Windows 11/10

Differences between Windows 11/10 Reset vs Refresh vs Clean install vs In-place Upgrade vs Cloud Reset vs Fresh Start discussed. Find out how/when to use them.

www.thewindowsclub.com

Whichever way you decide to go, after you get your system running clean and trouble free with all your data restored, I strongly suggest you implement some kind of regular backup solution to protect yourself. Restoring from a backup is by far the simplest and fastest method of recovery. There are many good free backup programs available. I do a full system backup once a week and it's saved my bacon more than once.

Poll on Backup software

A poll to see which imaging programs people use. You can select up to three options (eg some people use more than one program or use a regular imaging program plus a cloud based one).

www.elevenforum.com

izzydz · Aug 31, 2022

glasskuter said:
Thought a reset and remove everything and a clean install is basically the same thing, the difference between a clean install and a reset is in the way that Windows wipes out the data. A clean installation wipes the drive clean and removes all data from it, including third-party software and custom device drivers as well as any bloatware that came from the manufacturer.

If one is going to do a 'reset and remove everything' IMO taking a little more time and going the extra step of downloading the latest iso to do a clean install is preferable, but that's just me.

This is the best article I've ever seen explaining the differences. Take a look at the chart at the end that compares recovery options side by side.

Reset vs Clean install vs In-place Upgrade in Windows 11/10

Differences between Windows 11/10 Reset vs Refresh vs Clean install vs In-place Upgrade vs Cloud Reset vs Fresh Start discussed. Find out how/when to use them.

www.thewindowsclub.com

Whichever way you decide to go, after you get your system running clean and trouble free with all your data restored, I strongly suggest you implement some kind of regular backup solution to protect yourself. Restoring from a backup is by far the simplest and fastest method of recovery. There are many good free backup programs available. I do a full system backup once a week and it's saved my bacon more than once.

Poll on Backup software

A poll to see which imaging programs people use. You can select up to three options (eg some people use more than one program or use a regular imaging program plus a cloud based one).

www.elevenforum.com

This is a very helpful reply, thank you very much.