How to do a clean installation of Windows 10

On Windows x, a clean installation defines the procedure to wipe out the hard bulldoze and start from scratch with a new setup when the device is having problems. For instance, this method can resolve retentivity, startup, shut down, apps, and performance bug. In improver, a fresh install can improve bombardment life, and it's perchance the all-time approach to eliminating viruses and other types of malware.

Information technology'south too a skilful solution to start fresh with a new copy of Windows 10 on a new reckoner that may have come preloaded with bloatware, when you're readying a device for safely decommission, or when replacing a hard drive.

Furthermore, if yous had the same setup for a long time, a clean installation is the amend pick to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10 or upgrade from an older version (such every bit Windows 7 and Windows viii.one), minimizing the risks of problems during and after the process.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the consummate process to perform a clean installation, whether you desire to upgrade to Windows 10 October 2022 Update, or you're about to make the leap to Windows 8.1 or Windows vii.

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How to prepare figurer for clean install of Windows 10

Earlier proceeding with the clean installation of Windows ten, information technology's recommended to consummate some essential tasks to minimize the chances of problems and data loss.

If you lot already have a fill-in of the device and files. You have an activation central. The reckoner is configured to offset from a USB wink bulldoze, and non-essential peripherals are asunder. Then yous can skip this office and jump to bootable media creation and a make clean install process.

Create backup

On Windows 10, the install procedure deletes everything on the hard drive, which ways that backing upwards the entire device (or at least your files) is crucial. Of form, that's unless you don't have anything important yous want to go on.

Backup entire system

You should create a temporary fill-in of the current installation to revert the settings or recover files if something goes wrong.

You tin can cull from many solutions, but the easiest way to create a full backup is to use the legacy System Epitome Backup tool available on Windows 10. The tool is also available for Windows eight.ane and Windows 7.

Backup files to OneDrive

For backing upwards your documents, pictures, and other important files, you can upload the data to OneDrive or another cloud storage service.

If you utilize OneDrive, you tin also utilise the backup settings page to sync your profile folders, including Documents, Pictures, and Desktop, to the deject automatically.

To configure OneDrive fill-in on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Backup.
Under the "Back up files to OneDrive" department, click the Support files option.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: This option is available starting with version 2004 and higher releases. If you have an older version, you can all the same access the settings, just they'll be available using the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.
(Optional) Click to articulate the folder you don't want to backup in the cloud.
Click the First backup push button.

Source: Windows Cardinal

One time you lot consummate the steps, OneDrive volition backup the files on the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures user folders into the cloud and across devices.

Backup files to external storage

If y'all have a large number of files, then syncing them to the cloud tin take a long fourth dimension and expensive. If this is the example, so perchance the best choice would be making a re-create of the files to an external USB hard drive.

To create a file backup manually, connect a drive with enough storage, and use these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Blazon the post-obit path in the address bar and printing Enter:

%HOMEPATH%

Source: Windows Central
Click the Select All button from the "Dwelling" tab.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Copy to push from the "Home" tab.
Select the Choose location selection.
Select the destination location.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Copy push button.

Subsequently you complete the steps, repeat the instructions to backup the remaining accounts (if applicable). In add-on to making a copy of your files, information technology's also a skillful idea to create a listing of the installed programs with their respective production keys (if applicable) to know the apps y'all may need to reinstall subsequently the installation.

If you unremarkably don't sync passwords and bookmarks with an online service, information technology's now a good time to export your browser credentials and links as you'll need them later to access your online services.

In example yous don't have an external hard drive or one without enough infinite, we recommend the Western Digital My Book Desktop considering of its portability, capacity, and toll.

Check Windows 10 activation

After Windows 10 has been activated, you no longer have to provide the production key for future installations on the same device. One time the new installation completes, the system volition automatically reactivate equally soon every bit it connects to the internet.

To ostend if Windows 10 is properly activated, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
Nether the "Windows" section, confirm the activation. If the device has been properly activated, y'all'll run into one of these messages:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, but information technology isn't linked to your Microsoft business relationship.
- Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account: The installation has been activated, and the license is linked to your Microsoft account.
Source: Windows Central

Later you complete the steps, if your current setup is activated, Windows 10 should automatically reactivate subsequently the clean installation.

Obtain Windows 10 18-carat cardinal

When setting up Windows 10 on a new device that never had an OS, or you lot are upgrading from Windows eight.i or Windows 7, you will take purchase a valid license from the Microsoft Store, Amazon, or another retailer.

Download essential drivers

Windows ten does a good job detecting and installing most device drivers automatically. Withal, it's usually recommended to download at least the essential drivers earlier the process, such as for the network adapter and graphics card, equally a precaution, in example the setup fails to add together these drivers correctly, especially on custom PC builds.

You can apply our guide to install device drivers on Windows 10.

Hither's a list of websites from the most pop manufacturers to download the latest device drivers.

Dell
HP
Lenovo
ASUS
Acer
Samsung
MSI

Confirm Windows 10 requirements

If the computer already has a Windows ten setup, and so a futurity release will likely meet the minimum hardware requirements. However, if you're about to upgrade a computer running Windows seven or Windows 8.1, you want to make sure that the device meets the minimum requirements.

Here are the minimum requirements to install the Windows 10 October 2022 Update (and higher):

Processor: 1GHz or System on a Chip (SoC).
Retentiveness: 1GB for 32-bit or 2GB for 64-bit.
Storage: 32GB for 64-bit or 32-bit.
Graphics card: DirectX ix or afterwards with WDDM 1.0 driver.
Brandish: 800x600.

You can employ these instructions to cheque the device technical specifications to brand sure you can practice a clean install of Windows 10.

Change kicking order on firmware

It'southward too important to make sure that the figurer can kicking from a USB wink bulldoze. If this is not the case, you'll need to change the Bones Input/Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) on the motherboard.

Change boot order using UEFI

On devices already running Windows x or Windows 8.1, y'all can access the settings to change the kicking order from within the desktop environment.

UEFI settings on Windows ten

To change the UEFI boot settings on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Recovery.
Nether the "Avant-garde Startup" section, click the Restart at present button.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Troubleshoot push button.

Source: Windows Central
Click on Advanced options.

Source: Windows Central
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Restart button.

Source: Windows Central
While in the motherboard firmware settings, open the Boot page.
Set the boot club to start from the USB flash bulldoze with the Windows ten installation files.

Source: Windows Central
Save the changes.

After you lot consummate the steps, the figurer should now be able to start from a USB bootable media.

UEFI settings on Windows viii.1

To change the UEFI boot settings on Windows eight.1, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update and recovery.
Click on Recovery.
Under the "Advanced Startup" department, click the Restart now button.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Troubleshoot selection.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click on Advanced options.

Source: Windows Central
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings selection.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Restart button.

Source: Windows Key
While in the motherboard firmware settings, open the Boot page.
Ready the kick social club to start from the USB media with the Windows 10 installation files.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Save the changes.

In one case you consummate the steps, the computer will commencement from a USB flash drive to proceed with the clean installation process.

UEFI settings on Windows 7

To change the UEFI boot settings on Windows seven, use these steps:

Starting time the computer.
As soon every bit it starts, printing the F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12, the ESC, or Delete key to access the firmware.

Quick tip: You may need to bank check your manufacturer support website for more specific steps to access the firmware settings.
While in the motherboard firmware settings, open the Boot page.
Gear up the boot order to beginning from the USB media with the Windows x installation files.

After y'all consummate the steps, yous should be able to start the device using a bootable media.

Configure boot guild using BIOS

If you're dealing with a legacy BIOS firmware, you can change the kicking gild with these steps:

Start the figurer.
Equally soon equally the computer starts booting up, press i of the part keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), the ESC, or Delete cardinal.
While in the motherboard firmware settings, open the Kick page.
Set the boot social club to starting time from the USB media with the Windows 10 installation files.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Save the changes.

Once you lot consummate the steps, the device should be able to start from the USB flash drive.

Disconnect non-essential peripherals

Connected peripherals usually are the reason for issues during the Windows 10 installation procedure. If y'all have non-essential peripherals continued to the computer (such as removable storage and other USB and Bluetooth devices as well as printers, scanners, cameras, and others), it's recommended to remove them.

When preparing to do a make clean install of Windows ten, you just need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and an net connection. After the setup, you can reconnect the peripherals (ane at a time) to make sure they don't crusade whatsoever bug.

How to create USB for make clean install of Windows 10

On Windows ten, you lot will need a USB bootable media to perform a clean installation, which you can easily create using many tools, including the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and Rufus.

Create Windows ten USB with Media Creation Tool

To create an installation media using the Media Cosmos Tool, connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of space, and use these steps:

Open Windows x download page.
Under the "Create Windows 10 installation media" department, click the Download tool now button to salve the file on the device.
Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Accept button to concord to the terms.
Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next button.
(Optional) Clear the Use the recommended options for this PC option.
Select the right language, compages, and edition of Windows 10.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If y'all program to install Windows ten on several devices running the 32-bit or 64-bit architecture, use the "Architecture" drop-downwards carte and select the Both option.
Click the Next button.
Select the USB flash drive selection.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next button
Select the USB flash drive (or click the "Refresh drive listing" choice to make information technology available).

Source: Windows Central
Click the Side by side button.
Click the Finish button.

Once you lot complete the steps, the tool will download the files and create an installer with the latest installation files, which you lot can then use to start the device and configure a fresh copy of Windows 10.

Create Windows 10 USB with Rufus

Alternatively, you lot tin use the Rufus tool to create an installation media for devices with motherboards featuring UEFI or BIOS firmware.

Rufus is a tool available for free with many options to help you create a bootable media of Windows x faster. Even so, it'south of import to remember that information technology's a tertiary-political party option, which Microsoft does not support, and so utilise information technology at your ain take chances.

To create a Windows 10 USB installer with Rufus, connect a USB wink bulldoze of at least 8GB of space, and and so apply these steps:

Open Rufus download page.
Under the "Download" section, click the link to relieve the latest release on your device.

Source: Windows Central
Double-click the Rufus-x.twenty.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Settings button (third push from the left) at the lesser of the folio.

Source: Windows Central
Under the "Settings" section, use the Cheque for updates drop-down menu and select the Daily option.

Source: Windows Fundamental

Quick tip: These steps are necessary to enable the option to use the tool to download the ISO file of Windows 10.
Click the Close button.
Shut the Rufus tool.
Relaunch the Rufus tool.
Under the "Device" section, use the driblet-downward menu to select the USB flash drive.
Under the "Boot choice" department, click the down pointer button on the right and select the Download option.

Source: Windows Key

Quick tip: If you already accept an ISO file, click the Select push button, select the Windows 10 ISO file, and continue with step No. 24.
Click the Download push.
Utilise the "Version" drop-down menu and select the Windows 10 choice.
Click the Continue button.
Select the 20H2 (Build 19042.xxx - xxxx.xx) choice to download the Windows 10 October 2022 Update.
Click the Proceed push button.
Use the "Edition" drop-down menu and select the Windows 10 Home/Pro option.
Click the Proceed button.
Use the "Linguistic communication" drop-downwards menu and select your installation language.

Quick tip: If you're in the The states, select the "English" option, not "English International."
Click the Keep button.
Utilise the "Architecture" drop-down card and select the 32-bit or 64-bit (recommended).
Click the Download button.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Select a binder location to download the ISO file.
Click the Salve button.
Use the "Image option" drop-down carte du jour to select the Standard Windows installation pick.
Use the "Segmentation scheme" drop-down menu to select the GPT option.
Use the "Target system" drop-down menu to select the UEFI (non CSM) pick.

Source: Windows Central

Quick note: If the computer includes a legacy BIOS, select the MBR option for partition scheme and BIOS (or UEFI-CSM) pick target organisation.
Nether the "Show Advanced drive properties" section, don't change the default settings.
Under the "Volume label" field, enter a descriptive name for the drive — for example, "win10_usb."
Nether the "File system" and "Cluster size" section, don't alter the default settings.
Click the Prove avant-garde format options button.
Select the Quick format and Create extended label and icon files options.
Click the Get-go button.
Click the OK button to confirm.
Click the Close push button.

After you lot complete the steps, Rufus will download the ISO file from the Microsoft servers, and it'll create the bootable media to perform a clean install of Windows 10.

How to perform clean install of Windows 10

The installation process of Windows 10 has two main parts, including the setup and out-of-box experience (OOBE). In the setup process, that'south where you volition select some of the bones settings, and y'all'll detect the options to erase the hard drive, configure the partitions, and clean install Windows ten. The out-of-box feel happens after the setup is complete, and information technology's the stage where you'll configure your settings, such every bit region, network, account, privacy, and other settings.

Windows ten clean install process

In one case you went through the preparation instructions, the clean install of Windows 10 is actually a straightforward process.

Warning: This is some other friendly reminder that this process will erase everything on the computer. It'southward always recommended to brand a temporary total fill-in of your PC before proceeding.

To practise a clean installation of Windows x, utilise these steps:

Start the device with Windows 10 USB media.
On prompt, press whatsoever cardinal to boot from the device.
On the "Windows Setup," click the Next button.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If your language, time and currency, and keyboard are different from the default selections, make certain to select the correct settings before continuing.
Click the Install now button.

Source: Windows Key
If you're doing a reinstallation, click the I don't take a product central selection to continue (assuming that your device was already activated). Otherwise, in the case that this is your first time installing Windows 10, enter the product key.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Side by side button.
Select the edition of Windows ten (If applicative).

Source: Windows Fundamental

Quick note: This option must match the edition that the product primal activates. If you don't select the correct edition, Windows 10 won't actuate, and you'll have to redo the unabridged procedure 1 more than fourth dimension.
Click the Next push button.
Select the I accept the license terms choice to continue.
Click the Adjacent push.
Click the Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced) option to continue with a clean installation.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Select the sectionalisation with the electric current installation (unremarkably "Drive 0"), and click the Delete button.

Quick tip: If "Drive 0" has multiple partitions, yous have to select and delete each division to allow the setup to use the entire hard drive for the new make clean installation. The Windows x setup volition create the required partitions automatically during the process. Too, it's not necessary to delete the partitions on secondary drives.
Click the Yes button.

Source: Windows Central
Select the empty drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space).

Source: Windows Central
Click the Adjacent button.

Once you complete the steps, the setup will install a fresh copy of Windows 10 on the computer.

If y'all plan to decommission the device, you lot can cease now and permit the new owner complete the out-of-box experience. However, in the case that you're upgrading your system, then continue with the instructions below.

Windows ten out-of-box experience

After the setup, you have to go along with the out-of-box experience to configure your preferences and create a new account.

This guide follows the out-of-box experience available with the Windows x October 2022 Update. However, depending on the release you are installing, the steps may exist slightly dissimilar.

To complete the OOBE on Windows ten, use these steps:

Select your Region option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Yep push.
Select your keyboard layout option.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Yes push.
Click the Skip push button (unless you need to add a second keyboard layout).

Quick annotation: If yous're non using a wired network connection, y'all'll have to sign in to the wireless network.
Select the Set up for personal use option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next push button.
Confirm your Microsoft business relationship data to create an account.

Source: Windows Central

Quick annotation: The recommended process is to use a Microsoft account. Nevertheless, if you want to apply a traditional local account, you'll need to click the Offline business relationship option from the bottom-left corner and so proceed with the on-screen directions.
Click the Next push button.
Confirm your business relationship countersign.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Create PIN push.

Source: Windows Central
Create a iv-digit Windows Hullo PIN.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you want to continue using a traditional password, click the Cancel push button to skip the process.
Select your privacy settings (and don't forget to scroll down the page to review all the available settings).
Click the Have push.

Source: Windows Fundamental
(Optional) You can provide your phone number and so click the Send push to link your phone with your device. If y'all want to skip this option, click the Do information technology later push button in the screen's bottom-left corner.

Source: Windows Central
(Optional) Click the Next push button to allow OneDrive to backup the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to the cloud. If you employ another cloud service or prefer not to upload files to the deject, click the Just save files to this PC option in the screen's bottom-left corner.

Source: Windows Central
Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup (as necessary).

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you accept an Office product key, you tin click the I have a product cardinal option, and and then the apps volition install automatically on your device.
(Optional) Check the Permit Cortana respond to "Hey Cortana" option to use the assistance easily-gratis.
Click the Take button to allow Microsoft to collect personal information to make Cortana more personal. If you're not interested in the digital assistant, click the Non at present push button to keep.

Source: Windows Central

After y'all consummate the steps, the new settings will apply to the clean installation of Windows 10, and y'all should be able to see the default desktop feel.

How to complete setup after install of Windows ten

Afterwards the installation, it's also a proficient idea to cheque that Windows ten isn't missing any disquisitional updates or drivers and properly activated.

Install updates

To check for updates on Windows x, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Check for updates button.

Source: Windows Central

One time you lot complete the steps, if Windows Update finds whatever updates, it'll automatically download and install them. A restart may be required to complete the update process.

Bank check missing drivers

To make up one's mind whether drivers are missing, apply these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Device Managing director and click the tiptop upshot to open the console.
Confirm that none of the devices have a xanthous or red mark, and make sure zilch is listed equally unknown.

Source: Windows Central

If one or multiple devices accept bug, you may need to manually download and install the latest drivers from your computer manufacturer's support website. You can use this guide to install device drivers on Windows 10.

Install missing drivers

On Windows 10, drivers can also be part of the optional updates. If you're missing one or multiple drivers, yous may exist able to download them from Windows Update.

To download missing drivers using Windows Update, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the View optional updates option. If the option isn't bachelor, and then Windows Update doesn't have any driver updates for your device.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Driver updates department.
Select the missing driver.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Download and install button.

Later on you complete the steps, Windows Update volition download and install the missing drivers automatically.

Confirm activation

To confirm Windows x was properly activated, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
If Windows x activated successfully, one of the following messages would appear:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, simply it isn't linked to your Microsoft business relationship.
- Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account: The installation has been activated, and the license is linked to your Microsoft account.
Source: Windows Fundamental

In the case that Windows 10 didn't activate, the device will try to reactivate at a after fourth dimension. If you're still having issues afterwards a couple of days, y'all can use the Activation Troubleshooter to activate.

Reinstall apps

It'due south now time to reinstall your applications, including your preferred spider web browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera to browse the web.

If you use Spotify or iTunes to listen to tunes while working or surfing the net, y'all can download these apps and other from Microsoft Store.

Likewise, it'southward at present a good fourth dimension to download and install the suite of Office apps to start working with Give-and-take, Excel, PowerPoint and managing your emails with Outlook.

Restore files from fill-in

The terminal matter left to practice is to restore your files from backup. If you previously configured file fill-in with OneDrive, then the data should already exist available inside the OneDrive folder, but if the app didn't configure automatically, you lot can utilise this guide.

In the instance that yous have a fill-in of your files on an external bulldoze, reconnect the storage to restore the data into the account default folders.

To restore files from a previous backup, use these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Nether the This PC section in the left pane, select the external drive with the files.
Select the folders with the file that you want to restore.
Click the Copy to menu from the "Home" tab.

Source: Windows Central
Select the Choose location option.
Select the destination to restore the files — for example, the Documents folder.
Click the Copy push.

Later on you complete the steps, the files will restore in the location y'all specified.

Although y'all can start a clean installation using the Media Creation Tool without a USB media and even the Reset this PC option from the recovery settings, these methods have their limitations and no always work as expected.

If yous want to make sure that you're performing a truly clean installation, using the bootable media is a better alternative.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

Windows ten on Windows Central – All you lot demand to know
Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-do-clean-installation-windows-10

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