Which of the following describes a clean install of an Operating System (OS)?

A clean install of an Operating System refers to the process of installing the OS on a new hard drive or a drive that has been completely formatted, thus erasing all existing data, settings, and prior installations. This process creates a fresh environment for the operating system, free from any previous configurations or files, allowing for optimal performance and ensuring that no legacy issues from prior installations affect the new system.

Installing the OS on a new hard drive aligns perfectly with the concept of a clean install, as it typically involves setting up the system from scratch without any prior operating system or user data. This approach is particularly beneficial for troubleshooting serious issues, upgrading to a new OS, or when a system is being repurposed.

In contrast, reinstalling over the existing OS introduces remnants of the previous installation and may not resolve existing software or system problems. Updating the current OS simply enhances the existing version without providing a clean slate, while removing unnecessary applications does not pertain to the installation process itself.