This is hard to answer. I have always did the full install. I found for some reason I had problems with all the patches. But this time I had problems with the full install. Before doing any update, I always make a backup copy of the saved game and main folder. I did the full install and A-10 would launch, but when I selected a mission in just a few seconds the game would crash. So I deleted my install and replaced it with a copy of the backup and used the patch. Games works great, no problems.