Better to upgrade-install or clean-install?

[HughShaw]

I'm finding this decision quite hard to decide on and can't decide what to do. I am very picky about wasted space or unnecessary stuff on my hard drive, yet I'd rather not install everything all over again which will take about 20 hours or so.

My question is...if I do an upgrade-install, can I just delete everything in the Windows.old folder and have everything practically the same as a clean install? Or will there be still be some left over things from the hundreds of programs I've installed and uninstalled?

Edit: I've ran the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and everything seems ok.

 

[richc46]

A clean install is always better, and is not always easier than an in place upgrade. The reason is that any Virus, corruption or other problem that you have with your prior OS, will carry over to Windows 7, with an inplace install. The members of this forum disagree on many things, but it is almost unanimous that a clean install is best.

 

[Zidane24]

Clean install is always better

 

[Dave76]

Clean install, you'll be happy you did when your done.

It's the best way

 

[HughShaw]

Ok I've made up my mind. Just wanted to make sure I'm not wasting 20 hours of my life for nothing. (I have many Steam games that don't come with setup files and take forever to re-download)

Thanks guys!

 

[Dave76]

You can try using the Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers , you still have to install all the programs, but it will transfer all the user settings. It will save a lot of time.

Your system specs say you have Win7 Pro but, I see you ran the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.
Is Win7 already installed or do you have Vista or XP?