How to Install Windows 10 From Scratch

Today, I’m going to show you how to clean install Windows 10 on your computer. Whether you’re upgrading from a previous version or using the reboot menu, I’ll guide you through the process step by step.

Before we begin, there are a few things you need to do. First and foremost, it’s crucial to back up all your important data. This is a standard practice whenever you perform a clean install, as it will erase everything on your hard drive. So, make sure you’ve saved everything you want to keep.

Now, there are two ways you can install Windows 10:

• If you have a genuine Windows 10 CD or a previous version of Windows already installed on your PC with a Windows 10 upgrade disk, you can use that.
• In either case, you’ll need a software key to activate Windows 10 during the installation process. This key may be included with your CD or sent to you via email after registration. Once you have the key, visit the official Microsoft upgrade page and download their Media Creation Tool. Once the download is complete, launch the tool.
• On the Media Creation Tool, select the option ‘Create installation media for another PC,’ even if you’re using the same computer for the download. Then, click Next to proceed.

When it comes to choosing the right edition and language for Windows, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. If you purchased Windows 10, you can find the edition either on the box it came in or in the email you received. However, if you upgraded from Windows 7 or 8.1, you’ll need to take a different route to find out. Simply go to your Control Panel, then click on System and Security, and finally select System. There you will be able to see which edition you are currently using.

Next, I’ll guide you in choosing the media you want to use for creating your Windows 10 installation. It’s generally recommended to use a USB flash drive for this task.

The Media Creation Tool, which you downloaded and installed earlier, will download and burn the installation files onto your chosen media. Once it’s completed, you’ll need to restart your computer while keeping your flash drive plugged in.

To boot from the flash drive, you usually need to press F12 or a similar key during startup, depending on your PC manufacturer. From the list of boot devices, choose the flash drive option. If you can’t find it, you’ll need to change the first boot drive to the flash drive before proceeding.

After this step, a Windows 10 installer will appear on your screen. Follow through with all the initial prompts and select “Custom: Install Windows Only” when given the option.

Next, choose the hard drive where you want to install Windows 10. It’s best to select the largest drive in terms of partition space for the installation. If you’re unsure which drive to choose, look for one named “Primary.”

Proceed to click the Format button (you can also click on “Delete” and then “New” if the Format button is grayed out).

Now, allow the installation wizard to guide you through the rest of the process and start grabbing your apps from the store.

Some users may have already upgraded to Windows 10 but still need a fresh install. For them, there’s a simplified process using the Reset feature. However, this method is not suitable for everyone. Users who received Windows 10 pre-installed on their PCs from manufacturers may also have bloatware. A more convenient method would be to go to Settings, then select Update & security, followed by Recovery, and finally click on Reset this PC and Get started. This will help resolve any system corruption issues.