How To Install Windows 10 On A New Computer

A clean installation of Windows x is the process of erasing the hardware and setting upwardly a new fresh copy of the platform when a reckoner has a problem. For example, y'all can resolve operation, retention, startup, shut down, and apps problems using this method. Also, it's perhaps the best approach to remove viruses and other types of malware, and it can help to improve bombardment life.

In addition, it'due south an fantabulous solution to remove preloaded bloatware (unnecessary preloaded software) from Windows 10. You lot can employ this method to decommission a computer without giving away your data. Or you can fix a new installation after replacing the hard drive.

Furthermore, if y'all had the same setup for some time, a make clean installation is the recommended option to upgrade to the latest version of Windows ten or upgrade from an older version (such equally Windows 7 and Windows eight.ane), minimizing the risks of problems during and after the process.

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

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

How to set computer for clean install of Windows ten

As you prepare to proceed with a clean installation of Windows ten, it's recommended to complete some essential tasks to minimize problems and potential data loss.

If yous already have a backup of the computer and files. You have an activation product cardinal. The device tin can kickoff from a USB flash drive, and non-essential peripherals are asunder, so you tin skip this part and jump to the bootable media creation and a clean install procedure.

Create backup

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

Back up entire organisation

You should create a temporary backup to revert the settings or recover files if something goes incorrect during the installation.

You tin can choose many dissimilar solutions, but the easiest manner to create a full backup is to use the legacy System Image Backup tool available on Windows 10. It's a deprecated characteristic, but it continues to work. The tool is also bachelor for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.

Support files to OneDrive

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

In instance yous utilise OneDrive, you tin can too employ 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 ten, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Backup.
Under the "Back upwardly files to OneDrive" section, click the Back up files selection.

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

Source: Windows Central

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

Dorsum up files to external storage

If y'all have a lot of data, syncing the files to the deject tin can be expensive and take a long time, and the available space may non fifty-fifty be enough. If this is the instance, mayhap the all-time option would be to copy the files to an external USB hard drive.

To create a file backup manually, connect an external drive with enough storage infinite to your Windows 10 computer, and use these steps:

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

%HOMEPATH%

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

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Copy to button from the "Home" tab.
Select the Choose location option.
Select the destination location.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Copy button.

Later you complete the steps, repeat the instructions to support the remaining accounts (every bit necessary). In add-on to copying your files, information technology'due south also a proficient 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 usually don't sync passwords and bookmarks with an online service, at present'south a good fourth dimension to consign your browser credentials and links every bit you'll need them later to admission your online services.

In instance you don't have an external hard drive or i without enough space, nosotros recommend the Western Digital Elements Desktop Hard Drive because of its portability, capacity, and price.

Cheque Windows 10 activation

Although after activating Windows 10, yous no longer have to provide a product fundamental for reinstallation in the same computer. One time the new installation completes, the system will automatically reactivate when information technology connects to the internet.

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

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
Under the "Windows" section, ostend the activation. If the computer has been properly activated, you'll see i of these messages:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, but 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 business relationship.
Source: Windows Fundamental

After you 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 upwardly an installation on a estimator that never had an activated version of Windows ten, or you plan to upgrade from Windows viii.1 or Windows 7, you will take to purchase a valid license from the Microsoft Store, Amazon, or another retailer.

Download essential drivers

Windows 10 can find and install virtually drivers automatically. Even so, it'southward unremarkably recommended to download at least the essential drivers earlier the procedure (such as for the network adapter and graphics carte du jour), as a precaution, in case the setup fails to add together these drivers correctly, particularly on custom reckoner builds.

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

Hither'south a list of the most popular manufacturers to download the latest device drivers:

Dell
HP
Lenovo
ASUS
Acer
Samsung
MSI

Confirm Windows ten requirements

If the device already has Windows ten, the following major update most likely volition run into the minimum hardware requirements. However, if y'all're about to upgrade a computer running Windows seven or Windows viii.ane, you want to check that the device meets the minimum requirements.

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

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

You tin use these instructions to bank check the device technical specifications to confirm you can do a clean install of Windows 10.

Change boot order on firmware

It's also important to brand certain that the figurer tin can boot from a USB flash bulldoze. If this is not the instance, you'll need to change the Basic Input/Output Organisation (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) on the motherboard.

Change boot guild using UEFI

On computers already running Windows 10 or 8.one, you tin can access the settings to change the boot order within the desktop interface.

UEFI settings on Windows 10

To modify the UEFI settings on Windows ten, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Recovery.
Under the "Avant-garde startup" department, click the Restart now button.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Troubleshoot button.

Source: Windows Key
Click on Advanced options.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Restart button.

Source: Windows Primal
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Kick page.
Fix the kick order to outset from the USB flash drive with the Windows 10 installation files.

Source: Windows Central
Save the changes.

Later on y'all complete the steps, the calculator should now be able to beginning from a USB bootable media.

UEFI settings on Windows 8.i

To change the UEFI settings on Windows 8.i, use these steps:

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

Source: Windows Central
Click the Troubleshoot selection.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click on Avant-garde options.

Source: Windows Cardinal
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 up the boot society to start from the USB media with the Windows 10 installation files.

Source: Windows Central
Save the changes.

Once you 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:

Start the PC.
Equally presently equally it starts, press the F1, F2, F3, F10, F12, Esc, or Delete fundamental to access the firmware.

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

Afterward you complete the steps, you lot should exist able to outset the device using a bootable media.

Configure boot order using BIOS

If y'all have a legacy BIOS firmware, you lot can change the boot social club with these steps:

Kickoff the PC.
Equally before long equally the computer starts booting up, printing one of the office keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), Esc, or Delete key.
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Kicking page.
Fix the boot society to kickoff with the Windows x installation files from the USB media.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Save the changes.

One time y'all consummate the steps, the computer tin now commencement from the USB flash drive to upgrade to Windows 10.

Disconnect non-essential peripherals

Typically, peripherals are among the most common reason for problems during a Windows x installation. If you have non-essential peripherals continued to the computer (such every bit removable storage and other USB and Bluetooth devices, printers, scanners, cameras, and others), it's recommended to disconnect them.

You only need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and internet connection. Subsequently the setup, you can reconnect the peripherals (one at a fourth dimension) to ensure they don't cause any issues.

How to create USB for make clean install of Windows 10

You volition need a USB bootable media to perform a clean installation of Windows 10. You can 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 10 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 wink drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC choice.

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

Source: Windows Central
Click the Side by side button.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the Next push button.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Select the USB flash drive (or click the "Refresh drive listing" option to make it available).

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

In one case y'all complete the steps, the tool volition download the files and create an installer with the latest installation files, which you can and then use to starting time the device and configure a fresh copy of Windows 10.

Create Windows x 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 10 faster. Still, it'due south of import to remember that it's a third-party option, which Microsoft does not support. As a result, utilize it at your own adventure.

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

Open up 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-10.20.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Settings push button (third push button from the left) at the bottom of the folio.

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

Source: Windows Central

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, apply the drib-downward carte du jour to select the USB flash drive.
Under the "Boot selection" section, click the downwardly arrow button on the right and select the Download option.

Source: Windows Key

Quick tip: If you already have an ISO file, click the Select push button, choose the Windows 10 ISO file, and continue with step 24.
Click the Download button.
Use the "Version" drib-downwardly carte and select the Windows x option.
Click the Continue button.
Select the 21H2 (Build 19044.thirty - xxxx.xx) option to download the Windows 10 November 2021 Update.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Continue push button.
Use the "Edition" drib-down carte du jour and select the Windows ten Home/Pro option.
Click the Go along button.
Use the "Language" driblet-downward carte du jour and select the installation language.

Quick tip: In the United States, cull the "English language" option, non "English International."
Click the Continue button.
Apply the "Architecture" drib-downward carte and select the 32-bit or 64-bit (recommended).
Click the Download push.
Select the location to download the ISO file.
Click the Save button.
Use the "Epitome option" drop-downwardly menu to select the Standard Windows installation option.
Use the "Partition scheme" drop-downwardly menu to select the GPT option.
Apply the "Target system" drop-downward carte du jour to select the UEFI (non CSM) selection.

Source: Windows Key

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

Later you 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 ten has two principal parts, including the setup and out-of-box experience (OOBE). In the setup process, that'south where you will select some of the bones settings, and you'll find the options to erase the difficult bulldoze, configure the partitions, and make clean install Windows ten. The out-of-box experience happens subsequently the setup is complete, and it's the stage where you'll configure your settings, such as region, network, account, privacy, and other settings.

Windows 10 clean install procedure

After the preparation, y'all tin proceed with the clean installation of Windows 10.

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

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

Offset the PC with Windows x USB media.
On prompt, press whatever key to boot from the USB wink drive.
On the "Windows Setup," click the Next button.

Source: Windows Central

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

Source: Windows Fundamental
On a reinstallation, click the I don't take a product key pick to continue (assuming that your device was already activated). Otherwise, if this is your first time installing Windows x, enter the production key.

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

Source: Windows Central

Quick note: The selection has to lucifer the edition of your product cardinal. If you don't select the correct edition, Windows 10 won't activate, and you'll have to redo the entire process.
Click the Next push button.
Select the I accept the license terms selection to continue.
Click the Side by side button.
Click the Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced) pick to proceed with a clean installation.

Source: Windows Central
Select the partitioning with the current installation (usually "Bulldoze 0") and click the Delete button.

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

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

Source: Windows Central
Click the Side by side push.

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

If you programme to decommission the computer, you practise not demand to continue with the out-of-box experience. If this is an upgrade, go on with the instructions beneath.

Windows ten out-of-box experience

After 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 ten, use these steps:

Select your Region selection.

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

Source: Windows Central
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip push (unless you need to add a 2d keyboard layout).

Quick note: If you don't accept a wired network connexion, yous'll take to sign into the wireless network.
Select the Ready for personal employ choice.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account information to create an account.

Source: Windows Fundamental

Quick note: The recommended process is to use a Microsoft account. Yet, if you desire to use a traditional local business relationship, you'll need to click the Offline business relationship option from the bottom-left corner and continue with the on-screen directions.
Click the Next push button.
Confirm your account countersign.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create Pivot button.

Source: Windows Central
Create a four-digit Windows Howdy PIN.

Source: Windows Central

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

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

Source: Windows Central
(Optional) Click the No, thanks push to skip the telephone link procedure.

Source: Windows Central
(Optional) Click the Adjacent button to allow OneDrive to back up the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to the cloud. If y'all utilize another cloud service or adopt not to upload files to the cloud, click the Only salvage 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 (every bit necessary).

Source: Windows Primal

Quick tip: If you have an Office production key, you can click the I accept a product primal choice, and and so the apps will install automatically.
(Optional) Click the Non now push button to go along without setting up Cortana.

Source: Windows Central

After you consummate the steps, the settings will utilize to the make clean installation of Windows 10, and you should be able to see the default desktop experience.

How to complete setup later installation of Windows 10

Once the installation is consummate, information technology's also good to bank check that Windows 10 isn't missing any disquisitional 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 Cheque for updates push button.

Source: Windows Cardinal

One time yous consummate the steps, whatever available updates will automatically download and install. Also, a restart may exist required to complete the update process.

Cheque missing drivers

To decide whether drivers are missing on Windows ten, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Device Managing director and click the peak result to open the app.
Ostend that none of the devices has a yellow or red marker, and brand sure null is listed as unknown.

Source: Windows Central

If some hardware has problems, you may need to manually install the latest drivers from your calculator manufacturer'south support website. You can use this guide to install device drivers on Windows 10.

Install missing drivers

On Windows 10, drivers can too be part of the optional updates. If the reckoner doesn't have all the required drivers, yous may exist able to download them from Windows Update.

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

Open 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 driver updates for the reckoner.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the Commuter updates department.
Select the missing driver.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Download and install push.

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

Ostend activation

To confirm Windows 10 was activated correctly, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
If Windows x is activated successfully, you will see one of these letters:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, but 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 Central

In case Windows 10 didn't actuate, the device will try to reactivate at a after time. If you're still having issues after a couple of days, you tin can utilize 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 web.

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

Besides, it's now a adept time 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 last matter left to practice is to restore your documents from backup. If y'all previously configured file backup with OneDrive, the data should already be bachelor within the OneDrive folder, but if the app didn't configure automatically, you lot tin 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 10, employ these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Under the This PC section 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.

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

Although you tin start a clean installation using the Media Creation Tool without a USB media and even the "Reset this PC" pick from the recovery settings, these methods take their limitations and practice non always work as expected. The bootable media is the alternative if you lot want the best possible clean installation method.

More Windows resources

For more helpful manufactures, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows x and Windows eleven, visit the following resources:

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

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