If you plan on upgrading to Windows 8, then you can just go straight from the operating system you have to this new one. However, some people prefer to do a clean install, which means removing the old operating system and essentially starting from scratch. This is technical, by computer help professionals, considered the best way to add Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 to the computer.
Computer Help: Why should you consider a clean install?
Essentially, by doing this, you are getting rid of everything and that lets you start new as if your computer has never been used before. Many computer support professionals prefer this because it ensures nothing from the older Windows version will get in the way of the new operating system working properly.
Think about it like this. Have you ever noticed when you want to install a new version of software, that if any part of the old version is on the computer, it can cause problems? Often, old files and old bits of information will make things difficult. The only way to get the machine working again is to completely remove all of that old information. That’s why a Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 clean install can be such a good choice.
If you make the decision to attempt this type of install without the help of a computer repair service, then there are a few things that you need to know in advance.
- Follow a tutorial. This process will take a lot of steps and you need to ensure you know exactly what you are doing. Otherwise, you may find yourself calling computer help because you did something wrong and now your computer will not work at all.
- Make sure you back up everything you want to keep. When you go through this process, you are going to lose everything associated with the operating system. Do not proceed without ensuring you have saved everything that you could possibly want. If you do, then it is very unlikely that any of your data could be recovered.
- Always disconnect any extra hardware. When you do a clean install, having any of the extra hardware connected could cause problems with your computer as well as with the hardware itself. So, if you have external hard drives, printers, scanners, or anything of the like, disconnect them before you begin the process.
No, you don’t have to do a clean install to add Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 to your machine, but there are plenty of reasons why you should consider doing this. It will ensure your computer works better. You don’t necessarily have to get computer help to do the install either, but if you run into problems, then contacting a professional would be a very good idea.
Whenever you run into computer issues, be sure to contact Dave's Computers. We offer a variety of different remote computer support services to resolve many of the problems you may have with your machine.
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