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Differences between cloning an installation and doing a fresh installation

rated 0 times [ 3] [ 0] / answers: 1 / hits: 837 / 2 Years ago, thu, june 30, 2022, 6:22:20

From what an end user might experience, what are the differences between cloning to a new PC/Laptop an already installed, configured and updated system or doing a fresh installation assuming that the installation settings are the same, for example:

The user name is the same

The computer name is the same

The timezone is the same

What will be configure is the same (VLC will be installed, the restricted extras will be installed, all the same packages will be installed)

Are there any drawbacks/problems in cloning in comparison to freshly installing and vice versa. What advantages does one have over the other.

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1 Year ago

answered 2 Years ago fatuatexen · Accepted Answer

There are advantages and disadvantages of both cloning and a fresh install.

If a computer is running fine, there is no need to go to all the trouble of installing everything on new ones, you can just clone.

Cloning: Is a Fast, Easy Way to Set Up Multiple Computers. Disadvantages of cloning, Propagating Existing Issues, Hardware Incompatibility Issues. The advantages are, Extremely Short Downtime, and Simplicity.

Fresh install gives you a clean copy of the operating system, and gives you control over how to partition the drive. Also you will have to install any software applications that you may need, and that can take a long time.

Now, if you are using an SSD You should install fresh to make sure you get all of the benefits of the SSD.

On a personal note, I would choose a fresh install over cloning, just because I have control of what gets installed.