How To Keep Your Files When Installing Windows 10

A clean installation of Windows 10 is the process of erasing the hardware and setting up a new fresh re-create of the platform when a computer has a problem. For example, you can resolve performance, memory, startup, close down, and apps problems using this method. Also, it's perhaps the all-time arroyo to remove viruses and other types of malware, and information technology can assist to improve battery life.

In addition, it'south an fantabulous solution to remove preloaded bloatware (unnecessary preloaded software) from Windows 10. You tin utilise this method to decommission a estimator without giving abroad your information. Or you can fix a new installation afterward replacing the hard bulldoze.

Furthermore, if you had the same setup for some fourth dimension, a clean installation is the recommended selection to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10 or upgrade from an older version (such equally Windows seven and Windows 8.1), minimizing the risks of bug during and after the procedure.

In this Windows x 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 10
How to perform clean install of Windows 10
How to complete setup later clean install of Windows x

How to set up computer for clean install of Windows 10

As you gear up to proceed with a clean installation of Windows 10, information technology's recommended to complete some essential tasks to minimize issues and potential information loss.

If you already have a backup of the computer and files. You have an activation product cardinal. The device can showtime from a USB flash drive, and non-essential peripherals are disconnected, and so y'all can skip this role 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 upwards the entire device (or at least your files) is a crucial step unless you don't have annihilation of import you desire to keep.

Back up entire system

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

You can choose many dissimilar solutions, but the easiest mode to create a full backup is to utilize the legacy System Image Backup tool available on Windows 10. Information technology'south a deprecated characteristic, only it continues to work. The tool is also available for Windows 8.ane and Windows 7.

Support files to OneDrive

If yous need to back up your documents, pictures, and other important files, you tin can upload the data to OneDrive or another cloud storage service.

In example you utilize OneDrive, y'all can besides 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 up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Backup.
Nether the "Back upward files to OneDrive" section, click the Support files option.

Source: Windows Central
(Optional) Click to clear the binder you don't want to dorsum up in the cloud.
Click the Start backup button.

Source: Windows Central

One time y'all complete the steps, OneDrive will dorsum up the files on the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures user folders in the deject.

Support files to external storage

If yous have a lot of data, syncing the files to the deject can be expensive and take a long fourth dimension, and the available space may not even be enough. If this is the case, perhaps the best option would be to re-create the files to an external USB hard drive.

To create a file backup manually, connect an external drive with enough storage space to your Windows x computer, and use these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter:

%HOMEPATH%

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

Source: Windows Central
Click the Re-create to button from the "Dwelling" tab.
Select the Cull location option.
Select the destination location.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Re-create button.

After yous complete the steps, repeat the instructions to back upwards the remaining accounts (every bit necessary). In addition to copying your files, it's likewise a good idea to create a list of the installed programs with their respective product keys (if applicative) to know the apps to reinstall afterward the installation.

If you lot usually don't sync passwords and bookmarks with an online service, at present'due south a good time to export your browser credentials and links every bit you'll need them afterward to access your online services.

In case y'all don't take an external hard drive or one without enough space, nosotros recommend the Western Digital Elements Desktop Difficult Drive considering of its portability, capacity, and price.

Check Windows 10 activation

Although after activating Windows 10, you no longer have to provide a production primal for reinstallation in the same computer. Once the new installation completes, the system will automatically reactivate when information technology connects to the internet.

To confirm whether Windows ten is properly activated, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
Under the "Windows" department, confirm the activation. If the reckoner has been properly activated, you lot'll see 1 of these messages:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, but information technology isn't linked to your Microsoft account.
- Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft business relationship: The installation has been activated, and the license is linked to your Microsoft account.
Source: Windows Central

After yous complete the steps, Windows 10 should automatically reactivate after the clean installation if your current setup is activated.

Obtain Windows 10 genuine key

If you have to set up an installation on a reckoner that never had an activated version of Windows x, or you plan to upgrade from Windows eight.ane or Windows 7, you will have to purchase a valid license from the Microsoft Store, Amazon, or another retailer.

Download essential drivers

Windows x can observe and install most drivers automatically. Still, information technology's usually recommended to download at least the essential drivers before the process (such as for the network adapter and graphics card), as a precaution, in instance 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 listing of the about popular manufacturers to download the latest device drivers:

Dell
HP
Lenovo
ASUS
Acer
Samsung
MSI

Confirm Windows x requirements

If the device already has Windows 10, the following major update most likely will see the minimum hardware requirements. However, if you're about to upgrade a computer running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you want to check that the device meets the minimum requirements.

Hither are the minimum requirements to install the Windows x Nov 2022 Update (and higher):

Processor: 1GHz or System on a Bit (SoC).
Memory: 1GB for 32-bit or 2GB for 64-bit.
Storage: 32GB for 64-bit or 32-fleck.
Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later on with WDDM ane.0 driver.
Brandish: 800x600.

You can use these instructions to check the device technical specifications to confirm yous can exercise a clean install of Windows 10.

Modify boot order on firmware

It'due south too important to make sure that the estimator tin kick from a USB wink drive. If this is not the case, you'll need to alter the Bones Input/Output Organization (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) on the motherboard.

Modify boot lodge using UEFI

On computers already running Windows x or 8.1, you can admission the settings to change the boot order inside the desktop interface.

UEFI settings on Windows 10

To alter 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 now button.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Troubleshoot push button.

Source: Windows Central
Click on Avant-garde options.

Source: Windows Key
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Restart push button.

Source: Windows Central
Within the motherboard firmware settings, open up the Boot page.
Set up the boot order to start from the USB flash drive with the Windows ten installation files.

Source: Windows Central
Relieve the changes.

Afterwards you complete the steps, the computer should now exist able to start from a USB bootable media.

UEFI settings on Windows eight.1

To change the UEFI settings on Windows viii.i, 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 Central
Click the Troubleshoot option.

Source: Windows Central
Click on Advanced options.

Source: Windows Central
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Restart push.

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

Source: Windows Primal
Save the changes.

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

UEFI settings on Windows 7

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

Get-go the PC.
Equally soon equally it starts, press the F1, F2, F3, F10, F12, Esc, or Delete key to access the firmware.

Quick tip: You lot may demand to check your manufacturer support website for more specific steps to access the firmware settings.
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Boot page.
Set the boot club to start with the Windows 10 installation files from the USB media.

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

Configure kick order using BIOS

If yous take a legacy BIOS firmware, you tin change the boot gild with these steps:

First the PC.
As presently as the computer starts booting up, press one of the office keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), Esc, or Delete key.
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Kick page.
Set up the boot order to showtime with the Windows 10 installation files from the USB media.

Source: Windows Central
Salvage the changes.

Once you complete the steps, the calculator can now get-go from the USB wink bulldoze to upgrade to Windows x.

Disconnect not-essential peripherals

Typically, peripherals are amongst the most common reason for problems during a Windows 10 installation. If you take 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.

Y'all but need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and internet connectedness. Later the setup, you lot can reconnect the peripherals (ane at a time) to ensure they don't crusade any bug.

How to create USB for clean install of Windows 10

You will demand a USB bootable media to perform a clean installation of Windows ten. You tin easily create i using many tools, including the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and Rufus.

Create Windows 10 USB with Media Creation 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 up the Windows 10 download page.
Under the "Create Windows x installation media" section, click the Download tool now button to save the file on the figurer.
Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Accept push to agree to the Microsoft terms.
Select the Create installation media (USB wink drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC choice.

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

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Side by side button.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next button.

Source: Windows Key
Select the USB flash drive (or click the "Refresh bulldoze list" option to brand it available).

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next push button.
Click the Finish button.

In one case yous consummate the steps, the tool will download the files and create an installer with the latest installation files, which you tin can so utilize to start the device and configure a fresh copy of Windows 10.

Create Windows ten USB with Rufus

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

Rufus is a free tool with many options to help you lot create a bootable media of Windows ten faster. However, information technology's of import to remember that information technology's a third-party choice, which Microsoft does not back up. As a result, use it at your own take chances.

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

Open the Rufus download folio.
Under the "Download" department, click the link to salvage the latest release on the estimator.

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

Source: Windows Central
Under the "Settings" section, utilise the Check for updates drop-downwards menu and select the Daily option.

Source: Windows Fundamental

Quick tip: These steps are necessary to enable the option to apply the tool to download the ISO file of Windows 10.
Click the Close button.
Close the Rufus tool.
Relaunch the Rufus tool.
Under the "Device" department, use the drib-down carte to select the USB flash bulldoze.
Nether the "Boot selection" section, click the down arrow button on the correct and select the Download option.

Source: Windows Fundamental

Quick tip: If you already have an ISO file, click the Select push button, cull the Windows 10 ISO file, and continue with step 24.
Click the Download button.
Utilise the "Version" drop-down menu and select the Windows ten choice.
Click the Continue button.
Select the 21H2 (Build 19044.xxx - xxxx.xx) choice to download the Windows ten November 2022 Update.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Go on button.
Use the "Edition" driblet-down menu and select the Windows 10 Abode/Pro option.
Click the Continue button.
Utilize the "Language" driblet-down carte du jour and select the installation language.

Quick tip: In the United States, choose the "English language" option, not "English International."
Click the Go along push button.
Use the "Architecture" drib-down menu and select the 32-bit or 64-chip (recommended).
Click the Download button.
Select the location to download the ISO file.
Click the Salve button.
Utilize the "Image choice" drop-downward carte du jour to select the Standard Windows installation option.
Use the "Sectionalization scheme" drop-downwardly card to select the GPT option.
Utilise the "Target system" drop-down menu to select the UEFI (non CSM) option.

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 arrangement.
Under the "Prove Advanced drive backdrop" section, don't change the default settings.
(Optional) Under the "Volume label" field, enter a descriptive name for the bulldoze — for example, "win10_usb."
Under the "File system" and "Cluster size" sections, don't modify the default settings.
Click the Show avant-garde format options push.
Select the Quick format and Create extended characterization and icon files options.
Click the Offset button.
Click the OK button to confirm.
Click the Close button.

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

How to perform clean install of Windows ten

The installation process of Windows x has ii primary parts, including the setup and out-of-box experience (OOBE). In the setup process, that'due south where you volition select some of the basic settings, and you'll find the options to erase the difficult drive, configure the partitions, and clean install Windows ten. The out-of-box experience happens later on the setup is complete, and it'due south the phase where you'll configure your settings, such as region, network, business relationship, privacy, and other settings.

Windows 10 clean install procedure

Subsequently the preparation, you can go along with the make clean installation of Windows x.

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

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

Start the PC with Windows 10 USB media.
On prompt, press any key to boot from the USB flash drive.
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 sure to select the correct settings.
Click the Install now button.

Source: Windows Key
On a reinstallation, click the I don't accept a product primal option to continue (assuming that your device was already activated). Otherwise, if this is your kickoff time installing Windows 10, enter the production central.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Next button.
Select the edition of Windows 10 (If applicable).

Source: Windows Central

Quick note: The selection has to match the edition of your product key. If yous don't select the correct edition, Windows ten won't activate, and you'll take to redo the entire procedure.
Click the Next button.
Select the I accept the license terms option to continue.
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced) option to continue with a clean installation.

Source: Windows Central
Select the segmentation with the current installation (commonly "Drive 0") and click the Delete button.

Quick tip: If "Drive 0" has multiple partitions, you lot have to select and delete each partition to allow the setup to apply the unabridged difficult drive for the new clean installation. The setup will create the required partitions automatically during the process. Likewise, it'due south not necessary to delete the partitions on secondary drives.
Click the Yeah button.

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

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the Next button.

One time you complete the steps, the setup will install a fresh copy of Windows ten on the device.

If you plan to decommission the computer, yous do non need to continue with the out-of-box experience. If this is an upgrade, continue with the instructions beneath.

Windows 10 out-of-box experience

After the setup, y'all take to continue with the out-of-box experience to configure your preferences and create a new account.

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

Select your Region pick.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout selection.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Yeah push.
Click the Skip button (unless yous demand to add a second keyboard layout).

Quick note: If you don't accept a wired network connexion, yous'll have to sign into the wireless network.
Select the Set upwardly for personal employ option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Side by side push.
Ostend your Microsoft account data to create an account.

Source: Windows Central

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

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

Source: Windows Fundamental

Quick tip: If you lot desire to continue using a traditional password, click the Abolish button to skip the process.
Select the privacy settings for the device (and don't forget to curlicue downwards the page to review all the available settings).
Click the Accept button.

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

Source: Windows Cardinal
(Optional) Click the No, thanks button to skip the phone link process.

Source: Windows Central
(Optional) Click the Next button to permit OneDrive to support the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to the deject. If yous utilize some other deject service or prefer non to upload files to the cloud, click the Just save files to this PC option in the screen'south bottom-left corner.

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

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you have an Office product key, you can click the I take a product central option, and then the apps will install automatically.
(Optional) Click the Not now button to keep without setting upwards Cortana.

Source: Windows Central

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

How to complete setup subsequently installation of Windows 10

Once the installation is complete, it's likewise good to bank 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, utilize these steps:

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

Source: Windows Central

Once you consummate the steps, any available updates will automatically download and install. Too, a restart may be required to complete the update process.

Cheque missing drivers

To determine whether drivers are missing on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Device Managing director and click the acme outcome to open up the app.
Confirm that none of the devices has a yellow or ruby-red mark, and make sure nothing is listed every bit unknown.

Source: Windows Central

If some hardware has problems, yous may demand to manually install the latest drivers from your computer manufacturer'south support website. You lot can utilise this guide to install device drivers on Windows 10.

Install missing drivers

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

To download missing drivers on Windows 10, utilise 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, it means that Windows Update doesn't have any commuter updates for the estimator.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Commuter updates section.
Select the missing driver.

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

Subsequently you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and install the missing drivers automatically.

Confirm activation

To confirm Windows x was activated correctly, employ these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
If Windows 10 is activated successfully, you will run into one of these messages:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, but 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 10 didn't activate, the device will effort to reactivate at a subsequently time. If y'all're still having issues subsequently a couple of days, you can use the Activation Troubleshooter to activate.

Reinstall apps

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

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

As well, information technology's now a proficient fourth dimension to download and install the Microsoft Office apps to start working with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and managing your emails with Outlook.

Restore files from backup

The final matter 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, merely if the app didn't configure automatically, you can employ this guide.

If you have a backup 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 ten, use these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Nether the This PC section in the left pane, select the external bulldoze with the file backup.
Select the folders with the file to restore.
Click the Copy to bill of fare from the "Domicile" tab.

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

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

Although you tin offset a clean installation using the Media Creation Tool without a USB media and even the "Reset this PC" choice from the recovery settings, these methods accept their limitations and do not e'er work as expected. The bootable media is the alternative if you desire the best possible clean installation method.

More than Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows x and Windows eleven, visit the post-obit resource:

Windows xi on Windows Central — All you need to know
Windows xi help, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 on Windows Central — All y'all need to know

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Here's how Forza Horizon 5 could be even better

Room to grow

Hither'south how Forza Horizon 5 could be even amend

Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best games of 2022, and one of the greatest racing games you can play. It's certainly not perfect, though, with plenty of areas with room for improvement. Hither are 5 things Forza Horizon 5 could do better.

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

Posted by: jenkinsmorthe.blogspot.com