How To Do A Fresh Install Of Windows 10

A make clean install of Windows 10 is the recommended approach to upgrade to the latest version of the operating system. The reason is that this method allows you to erase the hard drive and start with a fresh copy of Windows ten without custom settings, drivers, apps, or files that may interfere with the upgrade process.

If you have had the aforementioned installation for a long fourth dimension, this procedure can also assist fix performance bug, bug shutting downward and starting up, retentivity, and apps. Also, a clean installation is the process of choice to upgrade from an older version similar Windows seven or Windows 8.1. Or you can use this option to delete all preloaded bloatware from the manufacturer paradigm on a new figurer.

Whatever the reason, Microsoft offers several ways to perform a clean install of Windows 10, including using a USB flash drive to set up the installation on an SSD (Solid-State Drive). You tin can use the Media Creation Tool to do a fresh install on a device already running Windows 10. It'due south also possible to use the "Reset this PC" feature to quickly wipe out the hard bulldoze and reinstall the operating system without additional tools. Or, if the computer does not start, you lot can fifty-fifty use the Advanced startup options or mount the ISO file to File Explorer to complete a clean install.

In this guide, you volition learn six different ways to perform a clean installation of Windows 10 on your estimator, whether you plan to reinstall the aforementioned version or upgrade to a later release, including version 21H2, 21H1, or 20H2.

Clean install Windows 10 from USB
Clean install Windows 10 using Media Cosmos Tool
Clean install Windows 10 using Reset this PC local image
Clean install Windows 10 using Reset this PC Cloud Download
Clean install Windows 10 from Advanced startup options
Make clean install Windows 10 from ISO file

Important: This process will delete everything on your device. It's recommended to brand a full backup of your computer before proceeding. You've been warned.

Clean install Windows ten from USB

The best way to complete a fresh installation of Windows 10 is to utilize a USB wink drive, which you must first create using the Media Creation Tool, Command Prompt, or 3rd-political party tools like Rufus. Also, y'all have to make certain the calculator tin can start from USB, which ways that yous may need to adjust the BIOS or UEFI settings. However, since these settings are different on most devices, you will have to check your manufacturer support website for more than specific details.

To perform a clean install of Windows 10 from USB, employ these steps:

Start the PC with the Windows ten USB flash bulldoze.
Press any key to go on.
Click the Side by side button.

Windows setup
Click the Install now button.

Install option
Click the I don't have a product primal choice if you are doing a reinstallation. If Windows ten was already activated after the installation, reactivation would happen automatically.

Skip license key
Select the edition of "Windows 10" that your license key activates (if applicable).

Select edition
Check theI accept the license terms option.
Click the Next button.
Select theCustom: Install Windows only (advanced) pick.

Custom install option
Select each partition in the hard drive you desire to install Windows x and click the Delete button. (Usually, the "Drive 0" is the bulldoze that contains all the installation files.)

Alert: When you delete a partition, it also deletes all information on the drive. As well, it is not required to delete the partitions from a secondary hard drive.
Select the hard drive (Bulldoze 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows ten.

Select SSD to install Windows 10
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the commencement page of the out-of-the-box feel (OOBE).

Region settings
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout settings
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you practice not need to configure a 2d layout.
If the calculator uses an Ethernet connection, it will automatically connect to the network. If you have a wireless connection, you lot volition need to set upwardly the link manually (a security key may be required).
Select the Prepare upwards for personal use option for Windows 10 Pro. The "Home" edition does not take this option.

Set up PC for personal use
Click the Next push.
Ostend your Microsoft account electronic mail, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

OOBE create account option
Click the Next push.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next push button.
Click the Create a PIN button.
Create a new Pin countersign.

Create a PIN for the account
Click the OK button.
Confirm your privacy settings that best suit your needs by turning on or off the toggle switch for each pick.
Click theAccept button.

Choose privacy settings
(Optional) On the "Customize your device" folio, select ane or more ways you plan to utilise the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.

Customize device usage settings
Click the Accept push button to continue. Or click the Skip push button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the "Skip for now" push to skip linking your phone to your PC. (You can always practice this from the Settings app.)

Skip phone link to PC
Click the Next button to permit OneDrive to automatically backup your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the deject. Or click the "Only save files to this PC" selection to skip this step.

OneDrive setup
Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Microsoft 365 offer
Click the Not now button to disable Cortana.

Skip Cortana setup

One time you complete the steps, Windows ten will go on to apply the settings and end the setup.

Clean install Windows ten using Media Creation Tool

If y'all practise non have or want to use a USB flash drive, y'all can besides perform a clean installation using the Media Creation Tool with the option to go along zip. This option is available for devices already using Windows ten, Windows 8.one, or Windows 7, and it provides an option to roll dorsum to the previous installation.

To perform a clean install of Windows 10 with the Media Cosmos Tool, employ these steps:

Open up Microsoft support website.
Under the "Create Windows ten installation media" section, click the Download tool now button.
Relieve the installer to the device.
Double-click the MediaCreationToolXXXX.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Accept button.
Select the Upgrade this PC at present choice.

Media Creation Tool
Click theAccept push over again.
Click the Modify what to go on selection.

Media Creation Tools settings
Select the Aught option.

Nothing option
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Install button.

Media Creation Tool make clean install
Select your region setting afterward the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

Region settings
Click the Yeah push.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout settings
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not demand to configure a second layout.
If the figurer uses an Ethernet connection, it will automatically connect to the network. If you have a wireless connection, you will demand to set up the link manually (a security cardinal may be required).
Select the Set up for personal use option for Windows 10 Pro. The "Habitation" edition does not have this option.

Set up PC for personal apply
Click the Next push.
Confirm your Microsoft business relationship electronic mail, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

OOBE create account pick
Click the Adjacent button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create a Pin push button.
Create a new Pivot password.

Create a PIN for the business relationship
Click the OK push.
Confirm your privacy settings that best accommodate your needs by turning on or off the toggle switch for each selection.
Click theAccept push.

Choose privacy settings
(Optional) On the "Customize your device" folio, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to permit the setup to propose tools and services customization during this experience.

Customize device usage settings
Click the Have button to go along. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the "Skip for at present" button to skip linking your phone to your PC. (You tin can always exercise this from the Settings app.)

Skip phone link to PC
Click the Side by side push button to allow OneDrive to automatically backup your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the cloud. Or click the "Only save files to this PC" option to skip this step.

OneDrive setup
Click the No, thanks push button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Microsoft 365 offer
Click the Non now button to disable Cortana.

Skip Cortana setup

Afterward yous complete the steps, the setup will proceed with the fresh installation of the operating arrangement.

Clean install Windows 10 using Reset this PC local paradigm

Using the local image, you can also use the recovery settings to start fresh with a clean copy of Windows x. Nonetheless, unlike the USB, Media Creation Tool, and ISO file methods, you can only use this option to reinstall the same version of Windows 10 already on the reckoner. If you lot want to upgrade to a newer version, you will need to use one of the other alternative methods.

To clean install Windows 10 with the local recovery image, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Recovery.
Nether the "Reset this PC" department, click the Get started button.

Windows 10 Reset this PC feature
Click the Remove everything option to perform a fresh install of Windows 10.

Erase options
Click the Local reinstall selection.

Local reinstall option
(Optional) Click the Change settings selection.

Alter reset settings
Configure the reinstallation options:
- Clean data: If this option is set to No (recommended), then the setup will only delete files, apps, and settings quickly. If the option is set to Yes, the setup will securely make clean the drive before installing the operating organization, only information technology volition take longer.
- Delete files from all drives: Only the installation bulldoze will exist erased if the option is to No (recommended). Otherwise, if this option is set to Yeah, all the drives on the device volition be deleted.
- Download Windows: If this option is set to No (recommended), the local image will be used for installation. If the option is set to Yeah, and then the "Deject download" option volition be activated.
Click the Ostend push button.

Select reset settings
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Reset button.

Windows ten make clean install with Local reinstall option
Select your region setting after the installation on the starting time page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

Region settings
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout settings
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you lot practise not need to configure a second layout.
If the reckoner uses an Ethernet connectedness, it volition connect to the network automatically. If yous take a wireless connection, you will need to gear up the link manually (a security key may exist required).
Select the Gear up for personal use pick for Windows 10 Pro. The "Home" edition does non have this pick.

Ready PC for personal use
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

OOBE create business relationship option
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create a PIN button.
Create a new PIN password.

Create a PIN for the account
Click the OK button.
Confirm your privacy settings that best arrange your needs by turning on or off the toggle switch for each option.
Click theAccept button.

Choose privacy settings
(Optional) On the "Customize your device" page, select ane or more than ways yous plan to apply the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.

Customize device usage settings
Click the Have button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the "Skip for now" button to skip linking your phone to your PC. (You lot can always practise this from the Settings app.)

Skip phone link to PC
Click the Next push button to allow OneDrive to automatically backup your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the cloud. Or click the "Only save files to this PC" option to skip this step.

OneDrive setup
Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Microsoft 365 offering
Click the Not at present button to disable Cortana.

Skip Cortana setup

Once yous complete the steps, a clean installation volition be performed using the local image. If this is a branded computer, the setup will restore all the original settings previously available with the device. This means manufacturer-specific settings, drivers, applications, and tools. If you don't want to reinstall the custom epitome provided by the manufacturer, employ the "Cloud Download" option (encounter steps beneath).

Clean install Windows x using Reset this PC Cloud download

Windows 10 besides includes the "Deject Download" option in the "Reset this PC" feature, which allows you to reset the device with a clean installation, removing apps, files, and settings like the local epitome option. However, the difference is that when you select this option, the setup will download a fresh installation image from the Microsoft server.

This option has been designed to reinstall Windows 10 when the recovery characteristic is not working with the local image or using a branded figurer with a custom image. If you cull this pick, the setup will download the same version already installed on the device, which means yous cannot apply this method to upgrade the figurer to a newer version. Likewise, if the device has a custom image from the manufacturer, this selection volition supplant it with the one from Microsoft with all the standard settings and without custom drivers or trial software and tools.

To reinstall Windows 10 with the "Cloud Download" option, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Recovery.
Under the "Reset this PC" section, click the Go started button.

Windows 10 Reset this PC feature
Click the Remove everything option.

Erase options
Click the Cloud Download option.

Cloud download option
(Optional) Click the Change settings selection.

Change settings for Cloud download
Configure the reinstallation options: Clean data:
- Clean data: If this option is set to No (recommended), and so the setup will just delete files, apps, and settings chop-chop. If the option is set to Yes, the setup will securely clean the drive before installing the operating arrangement, but it will accept longer.
- Delete files from all drives: Only the installation drive volition be erased if the pick is to No (recommended). Otherwise, if this choice is fix to Yeah, all the drives on the device will be deleted.
- Download Windows: If the option is set to Yes (recommended), and so the "Cloud download" selection will be activated. If this option is ready to No, then the local image volition exist used for installation.
Click the Confirm button.

Select deject download settings
Click the Side by side button.
Click the Reset button.

Windows 10 clean install with Cloud download
Select your region setting after the installation on the starting time page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

Region settings
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout settings
Click the Yep button.
Click the Skip button if you lot do non need to configure a second layout.
If the reckoner uses an Ethernet connection, information technology will connect to the network automatically. If you have a wireless connection, yous volition need to set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).
Select the Set up for personal use option for Windows 10 Pro. The "Home" edition does not have this choice.

Prepare up PC for personal use
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account e-mail, phone number, or Skype identification to create an business relationship.

OOBE create business relationship pick
Click the Next push.
Confirm your Microsoft account countersign.
Click the Next push button.
Click the Create a PIN push button.
Create a new Pivot countersign.

Create a Pin for the account
Click the OK push.
Ostend your privacy settings that best adapt your needs past turning on or off the toggle switch for each option.
Click theHave push button.

Choose privacy settings
(Optional) On the "Customize your device" page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.

Customize device usage settings
Click the Accept push to proceed. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the "Skip for now" push button to skip linking your telephone to your PC. (You lot tin e'er practise this from the Settings app.)

Skip phone link to PC
Click the Side by side button to permit OneDrive to automatically backup your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the cloud. Or click the "Just save files to this PC" option to skip this step.

OneDrive setup
Click the No, thanks push to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Microsoft 365 offering
Click the Non at present push to disable Cortana.

Skip Cortana setup

Once you consummate the steps, the feature will accept over and reset your device to the default settings past erasing and reinstalling a fresh re-create of Windows ten downloaded from the cloud.

Make clean install Windows 10 from Advanced startup options

If the computer does not start correctly and you want to reinstall Windows 10 to resolve the trouble, the Advanced startup options environment includes an option to perform a clean installation using the local or cloud paradigm as well.

Technically, these are the same options available through the "Reset this PC" settings. However, you can also access the characteristic through the "Advanced startup" options, making it ideal for performing a clean installation of Windows 10 when the computer has problems. Or when you cannot boot the system to access the Settings app.

Once again, you tin merely use this option to reinstall the same operating organization version already installed on the computer. If yous as well desire to upgrade to the latest version, you must apply the Media Cosmos Tool, ISO file, or USB options.

To clean install Windows 10 from the Advanced startup options, use these steps:

Start device.
Immediately subsequently the Power-On Self-Test (Mail), press the Power button again to shut down.
Repeat steps No. 1 and 2 twice, and in the 3rd restart, the operating system should enter the Windows Recovery Environs (Windows RE).

Quick note: Windows ten has multiple ways to open up the Advanced startup settings. If you cannot access the recovery surroundings, you tin can use these other options.
Click the Advanced options push.

Avant-garde startup
Click on Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot pick
Click on Reset this PC pick.

Reset this PC pick
Select the Remove everything choice.

Remove everything selection
Click the Cloud download or Local reinstall option. Cloud download: Downloads a fresh image from the Microsoft servers and performs a fresh installation. Local reinstall: Uses the locally available image to install a clean copy of Windows 10.

Advanced startup deject download option
Select the Simply the drive where Windows is installed option. (The All drives option will delete the data on all drives. This selection is usually recommended only when you want to decommission the device.)

Delete bulldoze data option
Select the Just remove my files or Total make clean the bulldoze option.
- Just remove my files: Deletes the drive contents quickly.
- Full clean the drive: Also deletes everything on the drive, merely performing a secure-erase that takes several hours—this option suited when preparing to give away the device.
Merely remove files pick
Click the Reset button.

Windows 10 clean install with the advanced startup option
Select your region setting afterward the installation on the starting time page of the out-of-the-box feel (OOBE).

Region settings
Click the Yep push.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout settings
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if y'all do not need to configure a 2d layout.
If the computer uses an Ethernet connexion, it will connect to the network automatically. If you lot have a wireless connection, yous volition need to ready upwardly the connectedness manually (a security key may be required).
Select the Prepare for personal utilize option for Windows 10 Pro. The "Home" edition does not take this option.

Set up PC for personal use
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

OOBE create account option
Click the Next push button.
Confirm your Microsoft business relationship password.
Click the Side by side button.
Click the Create a Pin button.
Create a new Pivot password.

Create a Pin for the account
Click the OK button.
Ostend your privacy settings that best adjust your needs by turning on or off the toggle switch for each option.
Click theHave button.

Choose privacy settings
(Optional) On the "Customize your device" page, select one or more than ways y'all plan to utilize the device to let the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this feel.

Customize device usage settings
Click the Have button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the "Skip for now" button to skip linking your phone to your PC. (You lot can always practise this from the Settings app.)

Skip phone link to PC
Click the Adjacent button to allow OneDrive to automatically fill-in your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the cloud. Or click the "Only salvage files to this PC" option to skip this stride.

OneDrive setup
Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Microsoft 365 offer
Click the Not at present button to disable Cortana.

Skip Cortana setup

Once you consummate the steps, the process volition take over and reset your computer to the default settings past erasing and reinstalling a make clean copy of Windows 10. The time of completion will depend on your computer hardware configuration and the reset configuration you selected.

Make clean install Windows 10 from ISO file

If you only have a Windows 10 ISO file, it is not required to utilize a USB flash drive or disc to continue with the installation. You can always mount the ISO in File Explorer to launch a make clean install or in-identify upgrade on a device with the operating arrangement already installed.

To clean install Windows 10 with an ISO file, use these steps:

Download the Windows 10 ISO without using the Media Creation Tool.
Right-click the ISO file, and select the Mount selection.

File Explorer mount ISO
Select the virtual drive from the left navigation pane.
Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows x installation.

Setup launch from ISO
(Optional) Click the Change how Windows Setup downloads updates choice.

Windows 10 setup update options
Select the Not right at present option.

Disable updates during installation
Click the Next button.
Click the Take button to agree to the terms.
Click the Modify what to keep option.

Media Creation Tools settings
Select the Aught option.

Nothing option
Click the Side by side push.
Click the Install button.

Media Creation Tool clean install
Select your region setting later on the installation on the first folio of the out-of-the-box feel (OOBE).

Region settings
Click the Yep push.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout settings
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
If the computer uses an Ethernet connection, it volition connect to the network automatically. If you lot have a wireless connection, you will need to gear up the connexion manually (a security key may be required).
Select the Prepare for personal use option for Windows 10 Pro. The "Home" edition does not have this option.

Set up PC for personal use
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft business relationship email, telephone number, or Skype identification to create an business relationship.

OOBE create account pick
Click the Side by side button.
Ostend your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create a Pivot push.
Create a new Pivot countersign.

Create a Pin for the account
Click the OK push button.
Confirm your privacy settings that best suit your needs by turning on or off the toggle switch for each option.
Click theAccept button.

Choose privacy settings
(Optional) On the "Customize your device" page, select one or more means yous programme to utilise the device to let the setup to propose tools and services customization during this experience.

Customize device usage settings
Click the Accept push button to go on. Or click the Skip push button to skip this function of the setup.
Click the "Skip for now" button to skip linking your phone to your PC. (Y'all tin always do this from the Settings app.)

Skip phone link to PC
Click the Next button to allow OneDrive to automatically backup your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the cloud. Or click the "Merely save files to this PC" option to skip this stride.

OneDrive setup
Click the No, thanks push button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Microsoft 365 offer
Click the Not now button to disable Cortana.

Skip Cortana setup

Once yous complete the steps, the clean installation process will brainstorm, similar using the Media Creation Tools or USB flash drive to upgrade the organisation.