I used to do so just to clean things up but haven't since probably Windows Vista, mayhaps even as far back as Windows XP.

I stopped with, probably, Windows 7 as it just didn't seem needed anymore. Anyone still practice doing periodic clean installs? If so I'd be interested in the reasons.

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Nope. I generally keep upgrading until I replace the PC.

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stephen boots
Microsoft MVP 2004 - 2020
"Life's always an adventure with computers!"

Not sure that we are actually talking the same thing. I'm not asking about how one goes from one version of Windows to another. I'm talking about wiping and doing a clean install of the same version of Windows just to clean stuff out. Years ago this tended to improve performance but I just don't find that it seems needed any longer.

I don't always agree with what Microsoft does but I must admit that they have constantly improved how Windows takes care of itself. Of course it isn't just Microsoft but also includes advances in hardware to the point that Windows can do a LOT more background services to keep itself pretty well cleaned out.

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Nope, haven't done that in a long time.

Me either. Now the REAL question is what made me think of it in the first place...

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Perhaps I complicated the answer. I don't clean install. Now I'll probably complicate my answer eve more.

If the PC supports upgrades to Windows, I continue to upgrade until the PC is retired. If I don't have reason to upgrade, or the hardware won't support an upgrade, I will use the PC until it's retired.

The only time I will clean install Windows is for a new system. I've replaced the system drive on PCs in the past and restored the image backup rather than clean install Windows.

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stephen boots
Microsoft MVP 2004 - 2020
"Life's always an adventure with computers!"

I don't know if it means the same thing as Jay means but the only time I've clean installed an OS is when I've been passing a computer on so done a wipe and install so there is nothing of mine on the machine.

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Joan Archer
http://crossstitcher.webs.com