Should I upgrade or choose a custom installation?

Choose Upgrade if your current version of Windows can be upgraded and you want to keep
your current fles, settings, and programs. (If your version of Windows cant be upgraded,
youll need to choose Custom. !ou cant undo an upgrade or revert to a previously"installed
version of Windows.
Note:
!ou cant directly upgrade from Windows #$ to Windows %, but you can use Windows &asy
'ransfer to keep your fles and settings. 'hen, you can use the Custom option to install
Windows %, and transfer your fles and settings back to your computer. (or more information,
go online to http)**go.microsoft.com*fwlink*+,inkId-./011%.
'he Custom option replaces your current operating system entirely, and erases your
programs and settings in the process. !ou can also use Custom to keep your current
operating system and install Windows on an available, separate partition of your hard disk
(multiboot, or when no operating system is currently installed. 2ack up any fles and
settings you want to keep so you can restore them after the installation. !ou must manually
reinstall your programs when the installation is done.
'he Custom option also includes the ability to format, e3tend, create, or delete partitions. 'o
perform advanced disk management tasks like these, you need to start (boot your
computer using the Windows installation disc. 'hese types of tasks can erase all of the data
on your hard disk, including your fles as well as programs and settings, so be sure to back
up any user fles you want to keep.
Warning:
* If you delete or format a partition, all data on the partition is permanently deleted,
including fles, programs, and settings.
* If there is an e3isting copy of Windows on the partition you selected and you dont format
or delete the partition, user fles are saved to the Windows.old folder on the partition.
4fter the installation completes, you can browse to that folder.
* We still recommend you back up your user fles to an e3ternal location before performing
a custom installation. (or e3ample, if you have encrypted fles, you might not be able to
access them after installing Windows unless youve performed a backup. If youve
backed up your user fles and then successfully restored them after installing Windows,
you can delete the Windows.old folder using 5isk Cleanup.