Nosotros're all thankful that it's no longer the days where it seemed like y'all had to re-install Windows every half-dozen months. There are however times, though, where we must go to the last resort. Sometimes, you just have to scrap it all and starting time all over once more.

When Should I Re-install Windows?

There are several things you can do to ready minor and major Windows problems. The Check Disk (CHKDSK) utility is great for fixing issues with the file system due to bad sectors on difficult drives. We can show you how to gear up file organisation 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 organization files in Windows, whereas DISM tin exercise a more thorough check and repair Windows using resources from Microsoft's Windows Update service. Nosotros have a whole commodity on how to use SFC and DISM. Attempt these things outset.

If that doesn't do it, and y'all're certain that the upshot isn't a hardware issue, so it might be time to start once again. WARNING: nosotros're talking about wiping away all your files and programs and starting again. Make certain to support your files to an external drive or to a cloud storage service.

Three Ways to Do a Make clean Reinstall of Windows

At that place are three ways you can exercise a clean reinstall of Windows. We'll exist focusing on Windows 10. If you're using Windows viii.ane or earlier, the offset two are for y'all.

  1. Perform a Reset from Windows Settings.
  2. Reinstall by rebooting with installation media similar a DVD or bootable USB drive.
  3. Reinstall from within of Windows with installation media.

Reset this PC for a Clean Install

This should be your outset pick when trying to completely wipe your reckoner and re-install Windows 10. Information technology's uncomplicated, doesn't crave a DVD or USB bulldoze, and doesn't even require yous to enter your Windows license key.

In the Type here to search bar, start typing Settings. When the Settings utility is shown, click on that to start information technology.

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

In the Update & Settings window, on the left-side, click on Recovery. In one case it'southward in the Recovery window, click on the Get Started push button.

To wipe everything from your computer, click on the Remove everything selection.

It may have a few minutes to get things fix. Then, it will tell you that the current setting is to Just remove your files. This is quicker simply less secure. Nosotros're going for a complete wipe, and then this isn't enough. Click on Modify settings.

In this window, click on the Off push button to get to the data erasure option. Click Confirm.

Subsequently a few seconds, you'll see the Ready to reset this PC window. If you're sure yous want to do this, click on Reset.

It volition prepare to exercise the reset. This part can take several minutes. During our examination, it took about 15 minutes. Then the reckoner restarts.

When the computer restarts, you'll see the Windows logo and Delight look. Then the screen may go black for a few minutes. Be patient.

The Windows logo volition come up back and nether information technology will read Resetting 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 consummate, you lot can begin your Windows set up once again.

Reinstall Windows from DVD or Bootable USB Drive

You'll demand to accept either the Windows DVD that came with your calculator or y'all bought on its own, or a bootable USB drive with Windows on it. Many laptop and estimator makers have utilities congenital into their Windows installs to help you create these recovery drives.

If yous 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 volition have all the hardware drivers specific to the make and model of your computer.

If that's not an option, you lot can download an official ISO of Windows 10 using the Windows Media Creation Tool or just your web browser. We tin likewise show you where to get Windows 8.1 or vii ISOs. You'll need to discover your Windows Product Key.

The Windows Media Creation tool will guide yous through the cosmos of a bootable USB bulldoze or DVD. It's surprisingly simple, simply it tin can have a while.

Next, you'll need to boot your reckoner from the DVD or USB drive. You may need to access your calculator'southward BIOS and modify the boot order. Information technology'due south likely set to boot from your hard drive first. Reboot your PC and follow the steps below.

When your computer starts, y'all'll be presented with the Windows installation wizard, which volition walk you through the process.

To do this in a fashion that wipes the bulldoze, go until yous get to the indicate where yous'll be asked, Which type of installation do yous desire? At this point choose Custom: Install Windows simply (advanced).

You may be asked where you would like to install Windows. Typically, it will exist the Main drive. Select that and click Adjacent.

The installation will keep. Offset, y'all'll run across a screen similar the 1 below for several minutes. Then your computer will restart, and you'll encounter a black screen with a blue Windows icon. It will go through several stages not requiring whatever input from yous.

Somewhen, you'll meet the blue install screen with a rotating circle and the words Just a moment… Y'all're well-nigh there. This volition take several minutes and get through some more than text.

Now, y'all'll be at the Windows set stage. Keep through this to go Windows ready and you're ready to go.

Reinstall Windows from Your Install Media, from Inside of Windows

This method is a last resort. The Reset this PC method is easier and quicker. That might not be an option for yous, so allow's get over how-to re-install Windows from inside of your current Windows installation. The one upside to this method is that you should non have to enter your Windows product key for it to piece of work.

Insert your Windows installation media. Navigate to it in File Explorer and open it. Then look for your Windows installation media. Open it and expect for the setup application and double-click on it.

The User Account Control (UAC) window will open asking if you want to all this app to make changes to this device. Click Yes.

A small window will open showing the Windows logo and will go on to say that it is preparing. Information technology volition count percentage of readiness.

Next, the Windows 10 Setup window will open. It reads Install Windows 10 and that it will become online to get updates. If you wanted, you lot could click on Change how Windows Setup downloads updates. For our purposes, click on the Adjacent push.

It may quickly go through a few screens, similar Getting updates, Restarting Windows 10 Setup, Checking your PC, We're getting a few things ready, and then finish on the Applicable notices and license terms screen. Feel gratis to read it and click on Accept.

It may quickly get through a few more screens such as Choose what to keep, Making sure you're ready to install, and so it will stay on Getting updates for several minutes counting the percentage done. This can take a while.

It will then commencement Making sure your PC has enough space, then arrive at the Ready to install screen. It may say that it will Keep personal files and apps. But click on Change what to go on under that.

There will be three choices: Continue personal files and apps, Keep personal files just, and Goose egg. If y'all desire a clean wipe, click on Nothing then click Adjacent.

It volition so quickly get through some of the screens like earlier, and and then you'll see the big bluish Installing Windows 10 screen. It warns that your PC will restart several times and that it volition take a while. Afterward some time, your figurer will restart.

You'll encounter your login screen and the bulletin Getting Windows ready. Don't plough off your computer. That will proceed for several minutes. Your screen may get black. Be patient.

Eventually, y'all'll get to a total blue screen reading Installing Windows 0% Don't turn off your PC. This will take a while. Your PC will restart several times. Aye, it does take a while. Our test run took well over an hr.

Finally, the estimator volition restart, and you should be at your login window again. Log in and go along to gear up Windows.

Welcome to Your Fresh Windows Install

Those are the iii ways that you can install Windows in a way that completely wipes out everything on your computer. This is a new get-go. Just remember, if yous wanted to access whatever of your former files yous better have them backed up to a cloud service or on an external difficult drive. Savour your fresh install of Windows.