In an upgrade, user data, files and settings are retained. It is also a good idea to check the backup to ensure that it contains all the data and files that the user wants to retain and potentially access at a later time.Ī clean install differs from an upgrade - also known as in-place upgrade or in-place install -in which the existing version of the OS or application is retained but updated with the addition of new elements. Since existing data will be lost after the clean install, the user should back up all data and files beforehand to an external hard drive, another computer or to an online/ cloud location to prevent inadvertent loss. Any existing OS and user files are removed during installation because the hard disk is formatted and completely erased. With a clean install, the hard disk contains only the new OS. Whenever an OS is installed on a new computer, or an application is installed for the first time, the installation is considered a "clean" install.
The terms are often heard in reference to operating systems ( OS es ) and software applications. The alternative to a clean install is an upgrade, in which elements of a previous version remain.
A clean install is a software installation in which any previous version is eradicated.