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Clean installation from Microsoft ISO and from Recovery USB

NndnG 1,106 Reputation points
2021-05-10T21:24:37.52+00:00

Hi

I downloaded ISO from Microsoft, created a bootable USB from Rufus and always installed Windows from the bootable USB.

Now some techies are recommending create a Recovery USB and Clean install from Recovery USB.

Please let us know,

How both installations are different from each other?

What are the pros and cons of both installation process?

If Clean installation from Recovery USB is better, is it recommend, whenever Clean installation required?

If I am right, Recovery USB is specific to a computer for which it is created and it can’t be used for another computer.

And once Recovery USB created, can it be used multiple times for Clean installation?

If I am right, for creating a Recovery USB, a USB of at least 16GB is required whereas in case of creating a bootable USB, 8GB USB is okay. Moreover, creating a Recovery USB, it takes more time comparatively. Why?

With Regards
NndnG

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  1. Teemo Tang 11,376 Reputation points
    2021-05-11T01:57:05.137+00:00

    Hi NndnG,

    Question 1: How both installations are different from each other?
    A Windows 10 recovery USB drive stores recovery data onto it, which can be regarded as a recovery system Image of the current operating system along with your backup apps, data etc. (only if you choose this option while creating, because it will ask for more storage space) When system goes into problems you can restore it onto a previous image.
    A bootable Windows 10 installation disc is an installation media, which can only used for clean install Windows 10 or repair system.

    Question 2, 3: What are the pros and cons of both installation process? If Clean installation from Recovery USB is better, is it recommend, whenever Clean installation required?
    Recovery USB need a bigger size than installation media, because it includes your backup data, usually need more than 16GB.
    If you want to have faster PC that works as good as new, well then media creation tool is the best option as it installs clean OS on to the device.
    If you are facing troubles with your current system and want to restore a previous point of system image on to your system without losing your data then a Recovery USB is suitable.

    Question 4: If I am right, Recovery USB is specific to a computer for which it is created and it can’t be used for another computer.
    Yes.

    Question 5: And once Recovery USB created, can it be used multiple times for Clean installation?
    No, it includes your backup data, not a clean install.

    Question 6: for creating a Recovery USB, a USB of at least 16GB is required whereas in case of creating a bootable USB, 8GB USB is okay. Moreover, creating a Recovery USB, it takes more time comparatively.
    Yes. Reason is easy to understand, Recovery USB includes your backup data and current system’s state, while a bootable installation USB only includes a clean ISO file. Obviously, more files needs more time to achieve.

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  1. S.Sengupta 17,311 Reputation points MVP
    2021-05-11T02:07:35.913+00:00

    Clean installation is not same with that of Recovery installation.

    If your PC ever experiences a major issue such as hardware failure, you'll be able to use the recovery drive to reinstall Windows 10.

    Personal files and any applications that did not come with your PC will not be backed up. You'll need a USB drive that's at least 16 gigabytes.

    Clean install from a freshly-made USB will leave you with the latest version of Windows, while the other procedure will leave you with the version of Windows that shipped with your computer, which may be probably several versions old. With the latter you'll have to do a lot of updating to get back to the same version you were on before.

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  2. NndnG 1,106 Reputation points
    2021-05-11T08:45:05.393+00:00

    @Teemo Tang & @S.Sengupta thank you for replying and explaining.