In Windows XP it was possible to do a clean install on an existing PC without formatting the drive and losing all your existing data files.
Can you do this with Vista?
The way to do this in XP was to:
1. rename or delete the c:\windows folder, then boot from the WinXP CD and install clean into c:\windows. You could also do this by installing the new WinXP into a differently named folder like c:\winXP.
2. re-install all your software.
The advantage was that all your data files stayed in the correct folders and you go up an running much faster.
A related question has to do with the Vista Easy Transfer tool. That may be the better process.
Does Easy Transfer actually work correctly? I tried the similar tool in WinXP once and did not have a good experience with it.
Can you do this with Vista?
The way to do this in XP was to:
1. rename or delete the c:\windows folder, then boot from the WinXP CD and install clean into c:\windows. You could also do this by installing the new WinXP into a differently named folder like c:\winXP.
2. re-install all your software.
The advantage was that all your data files stayed in the correct folders and you go up an running much faster.
A related question has to do with the Vista Easy Transfer tool. That may be the better process.
Does Easy Transfer actually work correctly? I tried the similar tool in WinXP once and did not have a good experience with it.