Should I download Last 2 years updates OR Fresh install Win-11

sean · Sep 20, 2024

I have Dell 5820 workstation with Win-11 for workstation which I bought in October 2022.

I have not used it at all for last 2 years since I received it because of tiny fonts issue.

I want to give it another try.

That means I will have to download last 2 years updates which will take forever.

Should I do that or Fresh install Win-11 ?

Dell has not given Win-11 disk or image.

I need your help & expertise as to what is the best solution ?

Thank You.

Torus · Sep 20, 2024

sean said:
That means I will have to download last 2 years updates which will take forever.

Just download the latest cumulative update: updates are rolled up now into one package. This has been the case since Windows 8 I believe?

FirasKing Air · Sep 20, 2024

Fresh Install 100%
But I would read a little about the 24H2 update some people are having problems

Good luck

Helmut · Sep 20, 2024

Last 2 years of updates will not take forever.
I recently got a new Laptop and there was about 20 months of updates to do, no problem.

You just go to Windows updates and get it done, it is that simple, probably in a much shorter time than if it was done bit by bit over that 2 years.
It will be to 23H2 anyway. Comments about later versions is for developers not consumers.

A fresh install for consumers will take much longer, with more aggro/wasted time.

cereberus · Sep 20, 2024

FirasKing Air said:
Fresh Install 100%
But I would read a little about the 24H2 update some people are having problems

Good luck

Fresh install minus 100%.

Absolutely no reason to do this UNLESS an update fails.

sean · Sep 20, 2024

FirasKing Air said:
Fresh Install 100%

Where will I get Win-11 since Dell has not given me anything like a Win-11 disc or image etc ?

FirasKing Air · Sep 20, 2024

sean said:
Where will I get Win-11 since Dell has not given me anything like a Win-11 disc or image etc ?

Thread 'Hasleo Windows ISO Downloader V2.2 (Portable)' Hasleo Windows ISO Downloader V2.2 (Portable)

Porthos · Sep 20, 2024

Download Windows 11

sean · Sep 20, 2024

Since this Dell PC Came with Win-11 preinstalled, where would I get the key for activation if I download the ISO from MS site ?

Porthos · Sep 20, 2024

sean said:
Since this Dell PC Came with Win-11 preinstalled, where would I get the key for activation if I download the ISO from MS site ?

It is built into the motherboard's BIOS.

Just use the installation assistant. No ISO is needed.

pseymour · Sep 20, 2024

@sean You can check your current Windows activation status. If it shows you have a digital license, you won't need to worry about entering a key.

Activate Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.

support.microsoft.com

sean · Sep 20, 2024

pseymour said:
@sean You can check your current Windows activation status. If it shows you have a digital license, you won't need to worry about entering a key.

The Dell workstation came with Win-11 already installed on it & I paid them for it.
It is Win-11 ( Workstation ) edition.

So can I go to MS site & download the iso & put it on a USB stick & install & would it be automatically activated ?

Also, does MS download site has Win-11 ( Workstation ) edition or can I just download the Pro version & it still would be activated ?

jvickers · Sep 20, 2024

sean said:
The Dell workstation came with Win-11 already installed on it & I paid them for it.
It is Win-11 ( Workstation ) edition.

So can I go to MS site & download the iso & put it on a USB stick & install & would it be automatically activated ?

Also, does MS download site has Win-11 ( Workstation ) edition or can I just download the Pro version & it still would be activated ?

I don't think the pro version will be activated with the Workstation license. Because it's a Workstation license, you might want to just update. As others have said, there's no reason to install 100% new unless the update fails.

pseymour · Sep 20, 2024

sean said:
The Dell workstation came with Win-11 already installed on it & I paid them for it.
It is Win-11 ( Workstation ) edition.

So can I go to MS site & download the iso & put it on a USB stick & install & would it be automatically activated ?

Also, does MS download site has Win-11 ( Workstation ) edition or can I just download the Pro version & it still would be activated ?

@sean
I understand that it came pre-installed, but you need to check to make sure it's a digital license. It probably is, as most licenses are, but you need to make sure if you're going to re-install. That's how you know if you need to enter a product key or not. Digital license means you won't have to enter one. There's no way for us to answer whether it would be automatically activated if you don't know for sure it's a digital license.

And yes, both the consumer edition and business edition downloads contain Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, which is likely what you have. This is not the same as the edition labelled "Windows 11 Pro."

But I would agree with other posters here that say not to bother reinstalling Windows. Unless something is wrong with Windows, just update it with the latest monthly update. At most you might have to do a feature update also, but this is not going to be an all-day affair by any means.

FirasKing Air · Sep 20, 2024

I can't understand what's wrong with a fresh Install?
He said he hasn't used it for 2 years

Any way do what you think is good for you

glasskuter · Sep 20, 2024

sean said:
can I just download the Pro version & it still would be activated

No. For an upgrade to pro you must purchase it. Your device will automatically activate only on the version that Dell has tied to your UEFI bios and that has already been given a digital license..
If you plan to reinstall, I recommend you make yourself familiar with this tutorial and follow it closely. Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

Know that you also have other options other than a clean install.
You can consider a reset and remove everything or reset and keep my files. Reset Windows 11 PC Tutorial
This will put the machine into the factory condition you received it from Dell. Then just let Windows Update do it's thing to get it to latest version.

Another option is to wait until the 24h2 update hits in Oct.. Download it's iso, mount it within your current running windows to do an in-place upgrade (aka repair install) by running the setup.exe file contained within. Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial

jvickers · Sep 20, 2024

FirasKing Air said:
I can't understand what's wrong with a fresh Install?
He said he hasn't used it for 2 years

And it should update just fine. Why the fresh install? What's the rationale when you'll be receiving the same things as an upgrade and not losing any software or data?

FirasKing Air · Sep 20, 2024

jvickers said:
And it should update just fine. Why the fresh install? What's the rationale when you'll be receiving the same things as an upgrade and not losing any software or data?

Ok
You must know something
I don't think there's anyone who reinstalls windows as much as I do. :)

Sometimes windows restore doesn't work sometimes my back doesn't work and so on

So for me a reinstall is a piece of cake

Hop this help's.

Bree · Sep 20, 2024

sean said:
does MS download site has Win-11 ( Workstation ) edition or can I just download the Pro version & it still would be activated ?

Workstation is not included in the ISO made by the Media Creation Tool. It is in the full ISO download, last option on the page.

Download Windows 11

Bree · Sep 20, 2024

jvickers said:
I don't think the pro version will be activated with the Workstation license. Because it's a Workstation license, you might want to just update. As others have said, there's no reason to install 100% new unless the update fails.

I think it will be. I don't have Workstation, but a digital licence does activate a 'lower' edition. I've seen Home activated by a Pro digital licence.

Should I download Last 2 years updates OR Fresh install Win-11

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