Question Reset PC vs. Install with media creation tool

[nbartolo7]

Is the only difference between the two that Windows Reset doesn't require of me to enter the Windows product key, unlike clean installation?

Otherwise they're the same and achieve the same result, right? They both wipe your drive and files (if you choose so with reset) and install windows fresh on your PC. Right?

 

[Colif]

A reset just wipes C partition, leaves rest as is.
Clean install wipes entire drive and starts from scratch.

Clean will force windows to get all new drivers, in a reset it may use what was there before.

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/fresh-start-reset-refresh-clean-install

 

[Lafong]

There is also a "repair install".

Never used it, but I think it keeps programs, data, and most settings.

 

[USAFRet]

Again, the method is tailored to your desired outcome.

Those procedures are not the same, nor interchangeable.

 

[Colif]

There is also a "repair install".

its a short way of saying "Reinstall windows over the top of itself" as that is what you do. Download the ISO that matches current version, and run setup in windows. If it all goes well, you back in windows again 20 minutes later and the only things missing are updates. Its useful way to fix windows update when it gets stuck.
It requires windows to be working, the other 2 don't.

 

[hotaru.hino]

As mentioned, Reset will keep the existing drivers and activation key. The latter may not be a big deal, but the former may be if you have an iffy driver.

 

[DSzymborski]

And really, if you have a properly registered Windows to a Microsoft account, there should never been a real need to enter a license key.

 

[nbartolo7]

its a short way of saying "Reinstall windows over the top of itself" as that is what you do. Download the ISO that matches current version, and run setup in windows. If it all goes well, you back in windows again 20 minutes later and the only things missing are updates. Its useful way to fix windows update when it gets stuck.
It requires windows to be working, the other 2 don't.

I thought the best way to fix windows after a bad update was the "go back to previous version" or "go back to previous build".

Or using restore point.

 

[hotaru.hino]

I thought the best way to fix windows after a bad update was the "go back to previous version" or "go back to previous build".

Or using restore point.

"Best" depends on the situation or the person's preference. That may help and it's a relatively quick fix that doesn't delete any data outside of the OS files. But if there's still a problem for some reason, then you have to start resorting to more drastic measures to fix the problem.

It's like if you have a leak in the plumbing. You probably shouldn't tear up your walls and replace all the pipes if a blob of JB weld fixes the problem.

 

[nbartolo7]

Again, the method is tailored to your desired outcome.

Those procedures are not the same, nor interchangeable.

Ok. I thought they were. But can a non-IT person spot the difference in the end result? Both will re-install windows fresh. So I don't see the difference. Even though there is a technical one, I get that.

Edit: the main difference is the driver situation hotaru and colif mentioned. Ok got it.

 

[nbartolo7]

So, the cleanest possible fresh install is with media creation tool then.

And I guess when some people have no issue whatsoever with their drive or windows, but just want to (once every 3 years or so) have a snappy windows experience again by removing years of bloat, they can use reset option. Correct?

Clean install is more when you want to sell the device or wish to recover from a big windows error or virus.

 

[Colif]

I thought the best way to fix windows after a bad update was the "go back to previous version" or "go back to previous build".

Or using restore point.

A repair install is going back to previous build but it keeps all your files, I don't know what that button in your screenshot would achieve. I doubt its exactly the same. Or the guide for Repair install would just link to that
The previous version choice only exists if its 10 days or so since you updated from previous version.

There are problems that those methods won't fix. So a repair install sure beats a reset. As you don't lose anything apart from updates.
I did one because windows update was broken and wouldn't install an update. So rolling back to the base version of 21H2 was the fastest way. I have suggested it to a few other people who had same problem.

I do clean installs if I need to reinstall windows as I seen resets go wrong, and delete windows, leaving user with nothing. So Clean is safer to me, I know I have to have backups of everything before I start.

Windows version updates are essentially clean installs every year anyway, so doing another seems excessive. I only clean install if I have no choices. Or troubleshooting a problem. Last 2 clean installs were to troubleshoot hardware.

 

[nbartolo7]

A repair install is going back to previous build but it keeps all your files, I don't know what that button in your screenshot would achieve. I doubt its exactly the same. Or the guide for Repair install would just link to that
The previous version choice only exists if its 10 days or so since you updated from previous version.

There are problems that those methods won't fix. So a repair install sure beats a reset. As you don't lose anything apart from updates.
I did one because windows update was broken and wouldn't install an update. So rolling back to the base version of 21H2 was the fastest way. I have suggested it to a few other people who had same problem.

I do clean installs if I need to reinstall windows as I seen resets go wrong, and delete windows, leaving user with nothing. So Clean is safer to me, I know I have to have backups of everything before I start.

Windows version updates are essentially clean installs every year anyway, so doing another seems excessive. I only clean install if I have no choices. Or troubleshooting a problem. Last 2 clean installs were to troubleshoot hardware.

I see. Repair install beats reset. That's new to me.

Also heard of something called an in-place upgrade that can fix a lot of issues before resorting to more serious stuff. So many choices. I wish there was only one option that solved everything. Oh well.

 

[Colif]

I see. Repair install beats reset. That's new to me.

Every fix has different things it is good at. If you can't get into windows, a reset beats a repair install since you can still do it.

. I wish there was only one option that solved everything. Oh well.

I think that about BSOD
But its better to have choices in case that one way doesn't work

in place upgrade is probably what I do every time a version update is released.

1. Download ISO & create a USB (can run it off ISO but I am just used to making a USB)
2. run setup eve in file explorer
3. it updates PC.

its same thing as a repair install, only difference is which version of windows you end up on.