Do we still need to clean install Windows 10 after

[yafatana]

A new big windows 10 update ? Like for example between the current fall creators update and the upcoming redstone 4 ? To only update or clean install For better Windows 10 performance or there is no need anymore

 

[mazboy]

I only do clean installs when I start to encounter those niggling little problems that start to add up after about a solid year on my production machines (or I start to get sudden, bigger problems...)(often PEBSAK...). Win10 is shaping up to be a pretty fine OS (no, I don't work for Microsoft...well, OK, I do that Insider's Preview thing on one or two machines, but...).

Anyway, if you're not having problems, it's not worth the whole wipe/clean install anymore (remember Win95 where, if you didn't shut the machine off once a week, it would crash itself out?). From what I've seen of the recent major upgrades (and the insider's updates) Microsoft is really starting to get a handle on the whole update/upgrade thing.

That's my opinion. Your mileage may vary...

 

[Lutfij]

For the sake of keeping a level head and your sensitive data in check, it's always a good idea to backup your critical content onto a removable storage media and then update to your heart's content. In the event that you'll need to reinstall the OS, you can rest assured that you wont loose anything valuable. A word of caution, really since the OS can go belly up during the update process(for a number of people it holds true).

 

[mazboy]

Oh yeah, what he said. I am a religious fanatic about backups: I have an HDD dedicated to incremental backups (automatic, every hour), I do data backups every several days (or daily when I generate a lot of "stuff") and I probably make way too many image backups, just in case...

 

[signalpromise]

No, you do not need to "clean install" Windows for each update. Unless you've made a real mess of your system, the time wasted reinstalling everything is not worth the result of near-minimal to zero performance gains.

Instead, just update, then 1. do a "Disk Cleanup" then 2. optimise via "Defragment and Optimise Drives".

If you do decide to scorch and burn and then "clean install", make sure to do a backup or even image your current setup. 'And once everything is installed and set up to your liking, image the new install.