archive install windows

Hey I was debating with my friends today about the pros and cons between MS os and MAC OS, so as we all know there is this archive install for mac that can leave all the data and software on top whereas upgrading the OS. But she says windows do the same thing too. If you upgrade from XP to vista, vista gives you that option too. I never installed vista before(never used it actually), so is it true? I thought it's impossible since windows uses registry.

Sure it can. But the rot that existed in the registry and whatever cruft has accumulated within your system root will remain. It's almost always best to do a clean install of Windows.

OS X does it a little better. Basically the entire OS is packaged into a single backup directory and then the OS is installed cleanly. User directories and apps are saved, but the OS gets a clean install. Very simple and elegant.