In all cases I know of, jumping a version requires a clean installation. Going from Vista to 8, XP to 7+, 98 to Vista+, etc. all require a clean install (which means a clean drive).Previous times I've updated to a new windows OS, it has never required the formatting of the drive.
Pez, you're... kinda far off: Chain of fools : Upgrading through every version of Windows: That's from 1.0 up to XP through VMware. This guy kinda "Started" this weird trendIn all cases I know of, jumping a version requires a clean installation. Going from Vista to 8, XP to 7+, 98 to Vista+, etc. all require a clean install (which means a clean drive).
So, this time, presumably if you're running Windows 7 or earlier, you'll need to format your drive in order to install Windows 10.
EDIT: Some googling around on the subject seems to imply that Windows 7 may be the first exception, and can upgrade to Windows 10 directly. I don't know for certain though.
Why?No windows media center and no native DVD player? Seriously? I don't really care about the lack of DVD support, but losing Media Center just seems dumb.
They didn't skip versions though. They upgraded through each one. I think what pez is referring to is upgrading without buying the versions in between.Pez, you're... kinda far off: Chain of fools : Upgrading through every version of Windows: That's from 1.0 up to XP through VMware. This guy kinda "Started" this weird trend
Upgrading From Windows 1.0 to Windows 8 On Actual Hardware: And that's from 1.0 to windows 8 now on what looks like from the images an Asus Eee PC.
So your statement that it requires a clean installation is just not correct. Is it BEST/safest to go clean? Probably, for a few reasons, but it's actually supported to upgrade from the beginning.
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I don't know how they're handling the keys, but the articles I saw said you'll have to perform the upgrade first, then wipe and do the clean install.As long as they make it easy to get my license key for 10 so I can do a clean install and not have to deal with the run-around bullshit I went through when I went straight from XP to 7, I'm good.
That's what I've read as well. You have to do the "upgrade" install first, then it will let you do a clean install on the same device "any time."I don't know how they're handling the keys, but the articles I saw said you'll have to perform the upgrade first, then wipe and do the clean install.
Possibly? Official end-of-support date for Win7 was in January of this year. Microsoft is now only providing security updates, nothing else, until the end of "extended support" which will be in another four and a half years. That's the point where Microsoft officially abandons the OS unless you have one of those extremely pricey extended extended support contracts. Developers will be watching to see what Microsoft does and what users do before completely abandoning any OS, but developing for obsolete OSes gets harder and harder as the developer tools and environments get newer.Is it at all likely for software developers to stop making their programs compatible with Win7 in the near future?
You've got three days left to tell us whether to DOOOOO EEEETTTT or to run away screaming. Spill it.The preview, yes.
You've got three days left to tell us whether to DOOOOO EEEETTTT or to run away screaming. Spill it.
No. Just pointing out that it releases on Wednesday and there is still time to warn the early adopters away if necessary.Wait wait wait, is there an upcoming deadline for the free upgrade?
From what I've read, you have the option to do it either way - either "install over-top" or "wipe and install."So I've never done a drive wipe/format in order to install a new version of Windows. From what I'm hearing, I won't have to worry here? That I can just install it and it'll keep everything I currently have on my drive(s)?
And why is that a surprise? I'm actually expecting and WANTING that, to at least give their apps a shot, before defaulting back to my normal applications again. But I'll at least give the new ones a fair shake.(ETA: *hic* that "express settings"? wipes out your preferred default applications in favor of the new M$ apps.)
I didn't say it was a surprise. just a hiccup to my personal experience, and a caution to those who haven't gotten that far yet.And why is that a surprise? I'm actually expecting and WANTING that, to at least give their apps a shot, before defaulting back to my normal applications again. But I'll at least give the new ones a fair shake.
Express settings in the past have just been about update and security settings. So, it can be a bit of a surprise to a lot of people. Resetting all of those defaults can be a pain in the button.And why is that a surprise? I'm actually expecting and WANTING that, to at least give their apps a shot, before defaulting back to my normal applications again. But I'll at least give the new ones a fair shake.