3 Ways to Wipe & Reinstall Windows 10

Never fun, but at least it’s relatively painless

We’re all thankful that it’s no longer the days where it seemed like you had to re-install Windows every six months. There are still times, though, where we must go to the last resort. Sometimes, you just have to scrap it all and start all over again.

When Should I Re-install Windows?

There are several things you can do to fix minor and major Windows problems. The Check Disk (CHKDSK) utility is great for fixing issues with the file system due to bad sectors on hard drives. We can show you how tofix file system errors in Windows with CHKDSK.

The System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command line tools can find and fix a host of Windows issues.

SFC is great for finding and repairing system files in Windows, whereas DISM can do a more thorough check and repair Windows using resources from Microsoft’s Windows Update service.

If that doesn’t do it, and you’re certain that the issue isn’t a hardware issue, then it might be time to start again. WARNING: we’re talking about wiping away all your files and programs and starting again. Make sure to back up your files to an external drive or to a cloud storage service.

Three Ways to Do a Clean Reinstall of Windows

There are three ways you can do a clean reinstall of Windows. We’ll be focusing on Windows 10. If you’re using Windows 8.1 or earlier, the first two are for you.

Reset this PC for a Clean Install

This should be your first option when trying to completely wipe your computer and re-install Windows 10. It’s simple, doesn’t require a DVD or USB drive, and doesn’t even require you to enter your Windows license key.

In theType here to searchbar, start typingSettings.When the Settings utility is shown, click on that to start it.

In the Settings window, scroll down and click onUpdate & Security.

In the Update & Settings window, on the left-side, click onRecovery. Once it’s in the Recovery window, click on theGet Startedbutton.

To wipe everything from your computer, click on theRemove everythingoption.

It may take a few minutes to get things ready. Then, it will tell you that the current setting is toJust remove your files. This is quicker but less secure. We’re going for a complete wipe, so this isn’t enough. Click onChange settings.

In this window, click on theOffbutton to get to the data erasure option. ClickConfirm.

After a few seconds, you’ll see theReady to reset this PCwindow. If you’re certain you want to do this, click onReset.

It will prepare to do the reset. This part can take several minutes. During our test, it took about 15 minutes. Then the computer restarts.

When the computer restarts, you’ll see the Windows logo andPlease wait. Then the screen may go black for a few minutes. Be patient.

The Windows logo will come back and under it will readResetting this PC. It will start to count in percentage of completion. This can take several minutes to an hour or more depending on your PC. When it is complete, you can begin your Windows set up again.

Reinstall Windows from DVD or Bootable USB Drive

You’ll need to have either the Windows DVD that came with your computer or you bought on its own, or a bootable USB drive with Windows on it. Many laptop and computer makers have utilities built into their Windows installs to help you create these recovery drives.

If you didn’t make one when you got your computer, now’s the time to do that. Using the manufacturer’s official Windows installation is the best way to go, as it will have all the hardware drivers specific to the make and model of your computer.

If that’s not an option, you can download an official ISO of Windows 10 using theWindows Media Creation Toolor just your web browser. You’ll need to find your Windows Product Key.

The Windows Media Creation tool will guide you through the creation of a bootable USB drive or DVD. It’s surprisingly simple, but it can take a while.

Next, you’ll need to boot your computer from the DVD or USB drive. You may need to access your computer’s BIOS and change the boot order. It’s likely set to boot from your hard drive first. Reboot your PC and follow the steps below.

When your computer starts, you’ll be presented with the Windows installation wizard, which will walk you through the process.

To do this in a way that wipes the drive, go until you get to the point where you’ll be asked,Which type of installation do you want?At this point chooseCustom: Install Windows only (advanced).

You may be asked where you would like to install Windows. Typically, it will be the Primary drive. Select that and clickNext.

The installation will continue. First, you’ll see a screen like the one below for several minutes. Then your computer will restart, and you’ll see a black screen with a blue Windows icon. It will go through several stages not requiring any input from you.

Eventually, you’ll see the blue install screen with a rotating circle and the wordsJust a moment…You’re almost there. This will take several minutes and go through some more text.

Now, you’ll be at the Windows set up stage. Continue through this to get Windows set up and you’re ready to go.

Reinstall Windows from Your Install Media, from Inside of Windows

This method is a last resort. TheReset this PCmethod is easier and quicker. That might not be an option for you, so let’s go over how-to re-install Windows from inside of your current Windows installation. The one upside to this method is that you should not have to enter your Windows product key for it to work.

Insert your Windows installation media. Navigate to it inFile Explorerand open it. Then look for your Windows installation media. Open it and look for thesetupapplication and double-click on it.

TheUser Account Control(UAC) window will open asking if you want to all this app to make changes to this device. ClickYes.

A small window will open showing the Windows logo and will proceed to say that it is preparing. It will count percentage of readiness.

Next, theWindows 10 Setupwindow will open. It readsInstall Windows 10and that it will go online to get updates. If you wanted, you could click onChange how Windows Setup downloads updates. For our purposes, click on theNextbutton.

It may quickly go through a few screens, likeGetting updates,Restarting Windows 10 Setup,Checking your PC,We’re getting a few things ready, and then stop on theApplicable notices and license termsscreen. Feel free to read it and click onAccept.

It may quickly go through a few more screens such asChoose what to keep,Making sure you’re ready to install, and then it will stay onGetting updatesfor several minutes counting the percentage done. This can take a while.

It will then startMaking sure your PC has enough space, and then arrive at theReady to installscreen. It may say that it willKeep personal files and apps. Just click onChange what to keepunder that.

There will be three choices: Keep personal files and apps, Keep personal files only, and Nothing. If you want a clean wipe, click onNothingthen clickNext.

It will then quickly go through some of the screens like before, and then you’ll see the big blueInstalling Windows 10screen. It warns that your PC will restart several times and that it will take a while. After some time, your computer will restart.

You’ll see your login screen and the messageGetting Windows ready. Don’t turn off your computer. That will go on for several minutes. Your screen may go black. Be patient.

Eventually, you’ll get to a full blue screen readingInstalling Windows 0% Don’t turn off your PC. This will take a while.Your PC will restart several times. Yes, it does take a while. Our test run took well over an hour.

Finally, the computer will restart, and you should be at your login window again. Log in and proceed to set up Windows.

Welcome to Your Fresh Windows Install

Those are the three ways that you can install Windows in a way that completely wipes out everything on your computer. This is a new start. Just remember, if you wanted to access any of your old files you better have them backed up to a cloud service or on an external hard drive. Enjoy your fresh install of Windows.

Guy has been published online and in print newspapers, nominated for writing awards, and cited in scholarly papers due to his ability to speak tech to anyone, but still prefers analog watches.Read Guy’s Full Bio

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3 Ways to Wipe & Reinstall Windows 10#

When Should I Re-install Windows?#

Three Ways to Do a Clean Reinstall of Windows#

Reset this PC for a Clean Install#

Reinstall Windows from DVD or Bootable USB Drive#

Reinstall Windows from Your Install Media, from Inside of Windows#

Welcome to Your Fresh Windows Install#

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