How to Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 10

Preparing for a Clean Installation of Windows 10

Before starting a clean installation of Windows 10, make sure to back up all important data from your computer, as the installation process will erase everything on the selected drive. You will need a bootable USB drive or DVD with the Windows 10 installation files.

Step 1: Creating a Bootable USB Drive

To install Windows 10, start by creating a bootable USB drive. Download the Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft website and follow these instructions:

  • Run the Media Creation Tool.
  • Select "Create installation media for another PC."
  • Choose the language, edition, and architecture (32 or 64-bit).
  • Select "USB flash drive" and insert a flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage.
  • Complete the media creation process.

Step 2: Configuring BIOS to Boot from USB

Next, set up your computer’s BIOS to boot from the USB device:

  • Restart your computer and enter BIOS by pressing a key (usually F2, F10, or Del).
  • Go to the “Boot” section and set the USB drive as the primary boot device.
  • Save the changes and restart your computer.

Installing Windows 10

Step 3: Starting the Windows 10 Installation

After rebooting, your computer should start booting from the USB drive. The Windows setup screen will appear. Select your language, time, and keyboard layout, then click “Next” and “Install Now.”

Step 4: Entering the Product Key

If you have a Windows 10 product key, enter it at this stage. If not, select “I don’t have a product key” (this will install a trial version, which you can activate later).

Step 5: Choosing Installation Type

Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).” This option performs a clean installation, removing all data from the drive.

Step 6: Selecting the Installation Drive

Now, choose the drive where you want to install Windows. Select the drive and click “Format” to erase all data. Then, click “Next” to proceed with the installation on the selected partition.

Step 7: Waiting for Installation to Complete

The installation process will start, and your computer may restart several times. Wait for it to finish—this might take some time depending on the speed of your device.

Setting Up Windows 10

Step 8: Initial System Configuration

Once installed, Windows 10 will guide you through initial setup: create a user account, connect to Wi-Fi, choose privacy settings, and configure other system options.

Step 9: Activating Windows

If you didn’t enter a product key during installation, activate Windows through "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Activation" using your license key.