How To Clean Install Windows 10 After Upgrade

A clean installation of Windows 10 is the process of erasing the hardware and setting up a new fresh copy of the platform when a calculator has a trouble. For example, you tin resolve performance, memory, startup, shut down, and apps issues using this method. Also, information technology'south perhaps the best approach to remove viruses and other types of malware, and it can help to improve bombardment life.

In addition, it's an excellent solution to remove preloaded bloatware (unnecessary preloaded software) from Windows 10. You lot tin apply this method to decommission a calculator without giving away your information. Or you can prepare a new installation after replacing the hard drive.

Furthermore, if you had the same setup for some time, a clean installation is the recommended selection to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10 or upgrade from an older version (such as Windows seven and Windows eight.i), minimizing the risks of problems during and afterwards the process.

In this Windows 10 guide, nosotros will walk you through the complete process to perform a make clean installation.

How to prepare computer for clean install of Windows 10
How to create USB bootable media for clean install of Windows ten
How to perform clean install of Windows ten
How to consummate setup after clean install of Windows 10

How to fix computer for clean install of Windows x

Every bit you prepare to proceed with a clean installation of Windows ten, it'due south recommended to complete some essential tasks to minimize problems and potential information loss.

If you already have a fill-in of the computer and files. You lot have an activation production key. The device can start from a USB flash drive, and not-essential peripherals are disconnected, so you can skip this part and jump to the bootable media creation and a clean install process.

Create backup

The install process of Windows 10 deletes everything on the drive, which means that backing up the entire device (or at least your files) is a crucial stride unless you don't have annihilation important you want to go on.

Support unabridged system

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

Y'all tin can choose many unlike solutions, but the easiest mode to create a full backup is to use the legacy System Epitome Backup tool bachelor on Windows 10. It'due south a deprecated feature, but it continues to work. The tool is too bachelor for Windows 8.i and Windows 7.

Support files to OneDrive

If you need to support your documents, pictures, and other important files, you can upload the data to OneDrive or another deject storage service.

In case you apply OneDrive, you can also use the backup settings page to sync your profile folders, including Documents, Pictures, and Desktop, to the cloud automatically.

To configure OneDrive backup 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 Back up files option.

Source: Windows Fundamental
(Optional) Click to clear the folder you don't want to back up in the cloud.
Click the Start backup button.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, OneDrive volition back up the files on the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures user folders in the cloud.

Back up files to external storage

If you have a lot of data, syncing the files to the deject can be expensive and take a long time, and the available infinite may not even exist enough. If this is the case, perhaps the all-time option would be to copy the files to an external USB hard bulldoze.

To create a file backup manually, connect an external bulldoze with enough storage space to your Windows 10 reckoner, and use these steps:

Open up File Explorer.
Blazon the following path in the accost bar and press Enter:

%HOMEPATH%

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the Select all push button from the "Home" tab.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Re-create to button from the "Habitation" tab.
Select the Choose location selection.
Select the destination location.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Copy button.

Afterward yous complete the steps, repeat the instructions to back up the remaining accounts (as necessary). In improver to copying your files, it'due south also a good idea to create a list of the installed programs with their respective production keys (if applicable) to know the apps to reinstall after the installation.

If you normally don't sync passwords and bookmarks with an online service, now'due south a expert time to export your browser credentials and links as you'll need them later to access your online services.

In case yous don't have an external hard bulldoze or one without enough infinite, we recommend the Western Digital Elements Desktop Difficult Bulldoze because of its portability, capacity, and price.

Cheque Windows 10 activation

Although subsequently activating Windows 10, you lot no longer accept to provide a production key for reinstallation in the same calculator. In one case the new installation completes, the system will automatically reactivate when it connects to the net.

To confirm whether Windows 10 is properly activated, apply these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
Under the "Windows" section, confirm the activation. If the computer has been properly activated, you'll run into ane of these letters:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, only it isn't linked to your Microsoft account.
- 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 on you lot consummate the steps, Windows 10 should automatically reactivate after the make clean installation if your current setup is activated.

Obtain Windows 10 genuine key

If you have to set up an installation on a computer that never had an activated version of Windows x, or you plan to upgrade from Windows viii.1 or Windows 7, you will have to purchase a valid license from the Microsoft Store, Amazon, or some other retailer.

Download essential drivers

Windows x tin detect and install most drivers automatically. Notwithstanding, it'southward usually recommended to download at least the essential drivers earlier the process (such equally for the network adapter and graphics card), every bit a precaution, in case the setup fails to add these drivers correctly, especially on custom computer builds.

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

Here's a list of the nearly popular manufacturers to download the latest device drivers:

Dell
HP
Lenovo
ASUS
Acer
Samsung
MSI

Ostend Windows 10 requirements

If the device already has Windows 10, the following major update most likely will meet the minimum hardware requirements. Withal, if yous're near to upgrade a computer running Windows seven or Windows viii.1, yous desire to check that the device meets the minimum requirements.

Here are the minimum requirements to install the Windows 10 Nov 2021 Update (and college):

Processor: 1GHz or Organization on a Bit (SoC).
Memory: 1GB for 32-bit or 2GB for 64-bit.
Storage: 32GB for 64-bit or 32-bit.
Graphics carte du jour: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM i.0 driver.
Display: 800x600.

You tin employ these instructions to cheque the device technical specifications to confirm you can do a make clean install of Windows 10.

Change kick lodge on firmware

Information technology'south also important to make sure that the computer can boot from a USB flash bulldoze. If this is not the case, yous'll need to change the Basic Input/Output Organization (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) on the motherboard.

Alter boot order using UEFI

On computers already running Windows 10 or 8.i, you tin can access the settings to change the kick society inside the desktop interface.

UEFI settings on Windows ten

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

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Recovery.
Under the "Advanced startup" section, click the Restart at present push.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Troubleshoot push.

Source: Windows Central
Click on Advanced options.

Source: Windows Central
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings pick.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Restart button.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Kick page.
Gear up the boot social club to start from the USB flash drive with the Windows ten installation files.

Source: Windows Central
Save the changes.

After you complete the steps, the figurer should at present be able to start from a USB bootable media.

UEFI settings on Windows 8.one

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

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

Source: Windows Key
Click the Troubleshoot choice.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click on Avant-garde options.

Source: Windows Central
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Restart button.

Source: Windows Central
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Boot page.
Set the boot order to start from the USB media with the Windows 10 installation files.

Source: Windows Central
Salvage the changes.

One time yous complete the steps, the device will start from a USB flash drive to proceed with the installation process.

UEFI settings on Windows 7

To change the UEFI settings on Windows 7, use these steps:

First the PC.
As soon every bit it starts, press the F1, F2, F3, F10, F12, Esc, or Delete cardinal to admission the firmware.

Quick tip: Yous may need to check your manufacturer support website for more specific steps to access the firmware settings.
Within the motherboard firmware settings, open the Kick folio.
Set the kick gild to starting time with the Windows 10 installation files from the USB media.

After you complete the steps, yous should be able to get-go the device using a bootable media.

Configure boot order using BIOS

If you lot have a legacy BIOS firmware, you lot can alter the boot social club with these steps:

Outset the PC.
As soon as the computer starts booting upwards, press one of the part keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), Esc, or Delete key.
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Boot page.
Set the boot order to start with the Windows ten installation files from the USB media.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Save the changes.

Once you complete the steps, the computer can at present start from the USB flash bulldoze to upgrade to Windows ten.

Disconnect non-essential peripherals

Typically, peripherals are amongst the most common reason for issues during a Windows 10 installation. If you have non-essential peripherals connected to the computer (such as removable storage and other USB and Bluetooth devices, printers, scanners, cameras, and others), it's recommended to disconnect them.

Yous merely demand a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and internet connection. After the setup, yous can reconnect the peripherals (one at a time) to ensure they don't cause any issues.

How to create USB for clean install of Windows 10

You volition need a USB bootable media to perform a make clean installation of Windows 10. Yous can hands create 1 using many tools, including the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and Rufus.

Create Windows 10 USB with Media Cosmos Tool

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

Open the Windows 10 download page.
Under the "Create Windows ten installation media" section, click the Download tool at present push button to save the file on the figurer.
Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Accept button to agree to the Microsoft terms.
Select the Create installation media (USB flash bulldoze, DVD, or ISO file) for some other PC selection.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Side by side button.
(Optional) Clear the Use the recommended options for this PC choice.
Select the correct language, compages, and edition of Windows ten.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Side by side button.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Next push button.

Source: Windows Central
Select the USB flash drive (or click the "Refresh drive list" choice to make it bachelor).

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

One time you complete the steps, the tool will download the files and create an installer with the latest installation files, which you can so employ to start the device and configure a fresh re-create of Windows 10.

Create Windows 10 USB with Rufus

Alternatively, the Rufus tool can assistance you create an installation media for computers with UEFI or BIOS firmware.

Rufus is a free tool with many options to aid yous create a bootable media of Windows 10 faster. However, it'due south of import to remember that it'south a 3rd-political party choice, which Microsoft does non support. As a result, use information technology at your ain risk.

To create a Windows 10 USB installer with Rufus, connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of infinite, and then use these steps:

Open the Rufus download page.
Under the "Download" section, click the link to save the latest release on the computer.

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

Source: Windows Fundamental
Under the "Settings" section, use the Bank check for updates drop-downwards menu and select the Daily choice.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: These steps are necessary to enable the selection to use the tool to download the ISO file of Windows x.
Click the Shut button.
Close the Rufus tool.
Relaunch the Rufus tool.
Nether the "Device" section, use the drop-downwards bill of fare to select the USB flash bulldoze.
Under the "Boot selection" department, click the down arrow push on the right and select the Download option.

Source: Windows Cardinal

Quick tip: If you already take an ISO file, click the Select push button, choose the Windows 10 ISO file, and go on with pace 24.
Click the Download push button.
Apply the "Version" drop-down card and select the Windows ten option.
Click the Continue push.
Select the 21H2 (Build 19044.xxx - xxxx.xx) pick to download the Windows 10 November 2021 Update.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Proceed button.
Use the "Edition" driblet-down menu and select the Windows 10 Home/Pro pick.
Click the Continue button.
Utilise the "Language" drop-down menu and select the installation linguistic communication.

Quick tip: In the United States, cull the "English" selection, not "English language International."
Click the Continue button.
Use the "Compages" drop-down menu and select the 32-flake or 64-bit (recommended).
Click the Download button.
Select the location to download the ISO file.
Click the Save push.
Apply the "Image choice" driblet-downward menu to select the Standard Windows installation option.
Use the "Sectionalization scheme" drop-down menu to select the GPT option.
Use the "Target arrangement" drop-downward card to select the UEFI (non CSM) option.

Source: Windows Central

Quick note: If the figurer includes a legacy BIOS, select the MBR option for partition scheme and BIOS (or UEFI-CSM) option target organisation.
Under the "Testify Avant-garde drive properties" section, don't change the default settings.
(Optional) Under the "Volume characterization" field, enter a descriptive name for the bulldoze — for example, "win10_usb."
Under the "File system" and "Cluster size" sections, don't change the default settings.
Click the Bear witness advanced format options push button.
Select the Quick format and Create extended label and icon files options.
Click the Start button.
Click the OK button to confirm.
Click the Close push button.

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

How to perform make clean install of Windows 10

The installation process of Windows x has two main parts, including the setup and out-of-box experience (OOBE). In the setup procedure, that's where you will select some of the basic settings, and you'll find the options to erase the hard drive, configure the partitions, and make clean install Windows 10. The out-of-box feel happens after the setup is consummate, and it'southward the stage where you'll configure your settings, such as region, network, account, privacy, and other settings.

Windows 10 clean install process

Later the preparation, y'all can keep with the clean installation of Windows ten.

Warning: This is another friendly reminder that this procedure will erase everything on the calculator. Before proceeding, it'southward always recommended to make a temporary full fill-in of your PC.

To do a make clean installation of Windows 10, use these steps:

Start the PC with Windows 10 USB media.
On prompt, printing whatsoever key to boot from the USB wink bulldoze.
On the "Windows Setup," click the Adjacent button.

Source: Windows Central

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

Source: Windows Fundamental
On a reinstallation, click the I don't have a product central option to go along (assuming that your device was already activated). Otherwise, if this is your showtime time installing Windows x, enter the product cardinal.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Next push.
Select the edition of Windows ten (If applicable).

Source: Windows Central

Quick annotation: The selection has to friction match the edition of your production central. If you don't select the correct edition, Windows 10 won't activate, and yous'll accept to redo the unabridged process.
Click the Side by side button.
Select the I accept the license terms pick to continue.
Click the Next button.
Click the Custom: Install Windows simply (Advanced) option to proceed with a clean installation.

Source: Windows Primal
Select the partition with the current installation (usually "Drive 0") and click the Delete push.

Quick tip: If "Drive 0" has multiple partitions, you have to select and delete each partitioning to allow the setup to utilize the unabridged hard drive for the new clean installation. The setup volition create the required partitions automatically during the process. Also, it's not necessary to delete the partitions on secondary drives.
Click the Aye button.

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

Source: Windows Central
Click the Adjacent button.

One time you lot complete the steps, the setup will install a fresh re-create of Windows 10 on the device.

If you lot program to decommission the calculator, you do not need to go on with the out-of-box experience. If this is an upgrade, continue with the instructions below.

Windows 10 out-of-box experience

Afterward the setup, you lot have to continue with the out-of-box experience to configure your preferences and create a new account.

To complete the OOBE on Windows 10, apply these steps:

Select your Region option.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Yes push button.
Select your keyboard layout option.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Yeah button.
Click the Skip button (unless you demand to add a second keyboard layout).

Quick annotation: If you don't have a wired network connectedness, yous'll have to sign into the wireless network.
Select the Ready for personal use option.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Next push.
Confirm your Microsoft business relationship information to create an account.

Source: Windows Central

Quick note: The recommended procedure is to use a Microsoft account. However, if y'all want to use a traditional local business relationship, you lot'll need to click the Offline account choice from the bottom-left corner and continue with the on-screen directions.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN button.

Source: Windows Central
Create a four-digit Windows Hello Pin.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If y'all want to continue using a traditional countersign, click the Cancel button to skip the procedure.
Select the privacy settings for the device (and don't forget to scroll down the page to review all the bachelor settings).
Click the Have push.

Source: Windows Key
(Optional) Click the Skip push, or select how you will be using the device to receive targeted ads, tips, and other recommendations and click the Accept button.

Source: Windows Central
(Optional) Click the No, thank you push button to skip the telephone link process.

Source: Windows Fundamental
(Optional) Click the Next button to allow OneDrive to back upwards the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to the deject. If you lot use another cloud service or prefer not to upload files to the cloud, click the Only save files to this PC option in the screen'southward bottom-left corner.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Decline push button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup (as necessary).

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you take an Office product primal, yous can click the I have a production key option, and so the apps volition install automatically.
(Optional) Click the Not now button to continue without setting upwardly Cortana.

Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, the settings volition utilize to the clean installation of Windows ten, and you lot should be able to see the default desktop experience.

How to consummate setup afterwards installation of Windows x

In one case the installation is consummate, information technology'southward also good to check that Windows 10 isn't missing any critical updates or drivers and is properly activated.

Install updates

To download and install the latest updates, use these steps:

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

Source: Windows Central

In one case yous complete the steps, any bachelor updates will automatically download and install. Also, a restart may be required to complete the update process.

Check missing drivers

To make up one's mind whether drivers are missing on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Device Director and click the top outcome to open the app.
Confirm that none of the devices has a yellow or red mark, and brand sure nothing is listed every bit unknown.

Source: Windows Central

If some hardware has issues, y'all may need to manually install the latest drivers from your reckoner manufacturer's support website. You can use this guide to install device drivers on Windows x.

Install missing drivers

On Windows 10, drivers can also be part of the optional updates. If the calculator doesn't have all the required drivers, you may be able to download them from Windows Update.

To download missing drivers on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the View optional updates option. If the option isn't available, information technology means that Windows Update doesn't take any driver updates for the computer.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the Driver updates section.
Select the missing driver.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Download and install push button.

Afterwards yous consummate the steps, Windows Update will download and install the missing drivers automatically.

Ostend activation

To confirm Windows ten was activated correctly, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
If Windows 10 is activated successfully, you lot will see one of these messages:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, just it isn't linked to your Microsoft account.
- 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 business relationship.
Source: Windows Cardinal

In example Windows x didn't activate, the device will try to reactivate at a later time. If you're withal having bug subsequently a couple of days, yous can utilise the Activation Troubleshooter to activate.

Reinstall apps

It's now time to reinstall the apps, including your preferred web browser, such every bit Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera to scan the web.

If you use Spotify or iTunes to listen to tunes while working or surfing the internet, yous can download these apps and others from the Microsoft Store.

Besides, it's now a good time to download and install the Microsoft Role apps to start working with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and managing your emails with Outlook.

Restore files from backup

The terminal thing left to do is to restore your documents from backup. If you previously configured file backup with OneDrive, the information should already be available inside the OneDrive folder, but if the app didn't configure automatically, yous tin use this guide.

If you accept a fill-in of your files on an external drive, reconnect the storage to restore the data into the default folders (Documents, Downloads, Pictures, etc.).

To restore files from backup on Windows 10, utilize these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Under the This PC department in the left pane, select the external drive with the file backup.
Select the folders with the file to restore.
Click the Copy to menu from the "Home" tab.

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

After you complete the steps, the files will restore to the new location.

Although yous can start a make clean installation using the Media Creation Tool without a USB media and fifty-fifty the "Reset this PC" option from the recovery settings, these methods have their limitations and practise not ever piece of work as expected. The bootable media is the alternative if you desire the all-time possible make clean installation method.

More Windows resources

For more than helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resource:

Windows eleven on Windows Central — All you lot demand to know
Windows 11 help, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 on Windows Central — All yous need to know

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Mojang Studios needs to come clean about Minecraft on Xbox Series X|S

Kill the suspense

Mojang Studios needs to come clean well-nigh Minecraft on Xbox Series X|S

Minecraft players accept been eagerly awaiting a "current-gen" upgrade for Minecraft on Xbox Series 10|South since the consoles launched, especially for the possibility of ray tracing. After the recent mishap with mistakenly released image code, it's time for Mojang Studios to come make clean. What'due south going on?

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

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