What exactly does "clean install" and "upgrade" mean?

[slo-climber]

I read a lot here on the forum, that it's possible to upgrade the OS or to make a clean install. I don't understand what is the difference. Would someone explain me, please?

Thanks

 

[S.B.G]

A clean install refers to a formatted disk where a new install is placed.

Upgrade means installing a new copy of an OS over-top an existing installation, without having wiped, or deleted (formatted) the disk first.

 

[slo-climber]

Thanks.

And which one is more recommendable? When Yosemite will be available for public, how I will be able to get it by one or other way?

 

[Weaselboy]

Thanks.

And which one is more recommendable? When Yosemite will be available for public, how I will be able to get it by one or other way?

There are strong opinions on both sides of this. I have always just upgraded and never had problem. If your machine is running okay, it is very very likely you will have no issues with the upgrade route. Most of the issues people have when upgrading are related to incompatible utilities.

Presumably Yosemite will be released through the App Store just like Mavs was.

 

[S.B.G]

Thanks.

And which one is more recommendable? When Yosemite will be available for public, how I will be able to get it by one or other way?

There are strong opinions on both sides of this. I have always just upgraded and never had problem. If your machine is running okay, it is very very likely you will have no issues with the upgrade route. Most of the issues people have when upgrading are related to incompatible utilities.

Presumably Yosemite will be released through the App Store just like Mavs was.

I concur with Weaselboy on this.

I've always gone the upgrade route with OS X and have never had a problem.

Though when it came to Windows, I always did clean installs.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Thanks.

And which one is more recommendable? When Yosemite will be available for public, how I will be able to get it by one or other way?

When installing a new version for the first time, upgrade is your only option. You could do a "Clean Upgrade", which is to erase the disk - install a clean copy of Mavericks - then run the update to Yosemite.

But, like the others I have had very good luck with normal updates.

 

[Weaselboy]

When installing a new version for the first time, upgrade is your only option. You could do a "Clean Upgrade", which is to erase the disk - install a clean copy of Mavericks - then run the update to Yosemite.

But, like the others I have had very good luck with normal updates.

One can make a USB key installer of the new version then boot from that and erase the disk then do a clean install straight to the new version. No need to clean install Mavericks first.