How to do a Clean Install of Windows 10

How to do a Clean Install of Windows 10 is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

Releasing the free Windows 10 upgrade to millions of PCs around the world is no small task. Microsoft’s engineers and planners have crafted as system that has done well with the sheer volume of users all trying to perform the Windows 10 upgrade at the same time. Users have been able to reserve a copy of Windows 10 for weeks now. Microsoft is rolling out those upgrades in stages, starting with the PCs that are least likely to have trouble.

The Windows 10 upgrade process should work flawlessly for most people. Their files will remain in the same place. Their programs will remain installed too – provided they don’t have any conflicting issues with Windows 10. There are some people who don’t want their data. These people want Windows 10, but they want to use the new operating system as an opportunity to clear out everything on their PC and start a new. What these people need is a clean install of Windows 10, but still take advantage of he free Windows 10 upgrade offer Microsoft has going.

Here’s how to do a clean install of Windows 10.

Before we begin, you should absolutely be careful with this process. The word “clean” isn’t a euphemism. You’re actually going to delete everything on your Windows PC and install a fresh copy of Windows 10. All of your software, photos, pictures, games, music and movies will be gone forever. Back up your media now, then proceed with the installation process. Also, take note of our Windows 10 Review. Browse it to see if you might like Windows 10 before you start the process. It won’t be easy to go back if you successfully do a clean install of Windows 10.

Lets start by creating the installation media to successfully pull of your clean Windows 10 Install. You need a USB flash drive or a blank DVD and DVD burner in your PC. If you plan on taking the flash drive option, it’ll need at least 4GB of storage. You will also need your current Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 product key. Most PCs have the product key listed as a sticker on their device. Look for that sticker if you’re running Windows 7 or an early Windows 8 device. Microsoft has details about products keys here.

Click here and download the Windows 10 Download Tool from Microsoft’s website. The tool comes in to flavors and you’ll need to decide which your PC needs. Modern PCs are all 64-bit, but other PCs can be either or. Go to My Computer and click on System Properties to see which version your PC needs. We’re downloading the 64-bit version.

Select the version you need by clicking on it.

 

Now click on Run.

Select Create Installation Media and hit Next.

Select the language you need, version you need and architecture you need. Windows 10 Home is for people with Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 with Bing installed. Windows 10 Pro is for anyone with Windows 7 Professional Window 7 Ultimate, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Professional with Media Center. Don’t take this decision lightly, if you download the wrong version you will need to start the process over again. We’re choosing English, Windows 10 Pro.

Now choose which install method you’d like to go with. We’re going with a flash drive. If you are too, select that flash drive from the list of available drives.

Now it’ll start to download the your copy of Windows 10. Note that this can take a long time depending on how fast your internet connection is. If you plan on doing the install with a DVD, you’ll need to burn the file to a DVD drive after the download has finished.

Either way, you’ll need to turn off your computer then turn it back on. As it’s coming on you need to have it boot from that flash drive or DVD drive that you created. Unfortunately, there’s no universal way to do his. Some devices require that you hit F12 or F2.If you’re running Windows 8.1 Microsoft recommends selecting Advanced Start Up from the Settings app under System.

When successfully rebooting into your PC click on Install Windows.

Now type in that old Windows key from before.

Accept Microsoft’s terms.

Then select Custom. You’ll then be sked where you want the installation to go. The partition you chose will be reformatted and all of your information will be deleted. Keep that in mind.

Good luck with your clean Windows 10 install.

How to do a Clean Install of Windows 10 is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

How to do a Clean Install of Windows 10