A SOHO technician wants to upgrade two computers quickly without retaining user settings. Which installation method would be MOST likely used?

The most appropriate method for upgrading the two computers quickly without retaining user settings is a clean installation. This method involves completely wiping the existing operating system and user data, then installing a fresh version of the operating system. Since the requirement is not to preserve user settings, a clean installation ensures that the new operating system is installed on a blank slate, eliminating any previous configuration or data.

This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where a technician wants to ensure that the systems are running optimally with the latest software and configurations. While unattended installation allows for a quick and automated setup process, it typically retains existing settings or personal files unless specifically configured otherwise. In-place upgrades, on the other hand, generally preserve user settings and data as they upgrade the existing operating system to a newer version. Therefore, for a rapid, no-retention upgrade, the clean installation method fits the requirements perfectly.