How to Format and Clean Install Windows 10 [Tutorial]

Format and clean install windows 10 in this step by step tutorial.

The Windows 10 upgrade process drags old files, settings, and programs from your previous Windows system to your new one. If you want a completely fresh system, though, you have a couple options.

This is particularly useful if you’ve purchased a new Windows 10 PC and it includes manufacturer-installed bloatware you don’t want. Or, you may need to perform a clean install on a computer without an existing Windows system after installing a new hard drive. Of course, you’ll miss out on the good pre-installed apps, like the free DVD player program that comes with many PCs.

Previously, Microsoft forced users to upgrade to Windows 10 before they could start fresh and do a clean install–which was annoyingly complicated and time-consuming. Now, things are much easier, since you can activate Windows 10 with a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 key.

The classic method of performing a clean install is still our go-to option with Windows 10. You just need to download and create installation media, either on a DVD or a flash drive, and install it from there.

Download the Windows 10 media creation tool from Microsoft. This tool will download the correct Windows 10 installation files for your system, and help you create an installation DVD or flash drive. Start it up and select the “Create installation media for another PC” option to create installation media.

Be sure to select the correct type of installation media for the copy of Windows 10 that’s licensed for your PC — Windows 10 Home or Professional. (If “Windows 10” is the only option, you can safely use that and it will detect what version you want.) You should also choose your language and select whether you want the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows here. Most people will want the 64-bit version, but you can create installation media that includes both, and the installer will automatically select the most appropriate one when you use it to install Windows on a computer.

Install Windows 10 from the installation media like you would any other operating system. Restart your computer with the USB drive or DVD inserted, and boot from that device. This may require you change a setting in the BIOS, access a boot menu, or use the “Use a device” option in the advanced startup options on a modern Windows 8 or 10 device that includes UEFI firmware instead of the traditional BIOS. Select “Install Now” once the Windows installer starts.

Next, you’ll see the activation screen. What you do here depends on your situation:

If you’ve never installed and activated Windows 10 on this computer before, you’ll see the activation screen. Enter your Windows 10 key here. If you don’t have one, but you have a valid 7, 8, or 8.1 key, enter it here instead.

If you’ve ever installed and activated Windows 10 on this computer before, click “I don’t have a product key”. Windows will automatically activate once it’s installed.

The second situation works because of how Windows 10 activates PCs. When you install and activate Windows 10 on a system for the first time, the installer confirms that you have a “genuine Windows” system installed and registers your hardware with Microsoft’s servers. After that, you shouldn’t have to enter that key again on the same PC–Microsoft will recognize your hardware the next time you install Windows 10 on that machine, confirm it’s registered, and automatically activate itself.

Go through the setup process normally until you see the “Which type of installation do you want?” screen. Select the “Custom” option to ensure you’re performing a clean install and not an upgrade install.

Partition your system drive however you like. If you just have a single Windows partition, you can tell the installer to overwrite it. If you have many partitions, you could delete them all and tell Windows 10 to install itself in the unallocated space.

After you log into your new, cleanly installed Windows 10 system, it should automatically activate itself after you connect to the Internet.

To ensure it activated correctly, open the Start menu and click on Settings. click the Update & Security button, and go to the “Activation” tab.

This tutorial will apply for computers, laptops, desktops,and tablets running the Windows 10 operating system (Home, Professional, Enterprise, Education) from all supported hardware manufactures, like Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba,Lenovo, and Samsung).

[sagiv]

I honestly didn't know it was that easy.
From childhood I had that mindset that formatting is a foggy area for me and didn't really wanna meddle with it, but wow you just broke a mindset of 10 years.
Nice.

[ryanbeatbox]

This is YOUR daily dose of formatting and cleaning Windows 10

[henryjako]

Thanks for this tutorial. I saw many other videos and this was really normal and good. Thanks again.

[chrisgoyeah]

Hello! I have a question. Currently as of today, I am having a rough time trying to update my Windows 10 but to no avail. And also my OS Win 10 is currently installed in my SSD and not on my other Hard Disk Drive. Now my question is - if I am going to reformat my SSD where my OS is installed, will the reformatting process interfere with my Hard Disk Drive as well, like would it delete files in my Hard Disk? I will await for your response and thank you!

[maryjanedumale]

I'm only a beginner, but I want to learn how to reformat and clean my drive. Thank you so much

[almamehceesay]

My pc turn off after few minutes so I want reset it, in the process of resetting... it use to shut down I tried but I fail to reset it several times

[JepandJapan]

Hello MDTechVideos! Does this work if my disk is not the original disk already? I changed my HDD into SSD already and it was working properly for 2 years. However, I need to clean format it. If I use this method, will my Windows still be genuine? (I don't have activation keys btw) Thanks in advance!

[reyhowski]

I have a problem. If i am at the last step (OneDrive shit) nothing happens. I go on next and it does nothing. Can i fix this somehow pls?

[josephy]

Kept saying I need to restore something wouldn't let me get to the checking files part

[weknowna]

with this process do microsoft office will remove? thank you advance for respond. :)

[levvi]

He's replying and heart-ing comments. That's admirable.

[baddriving]

Is shutting automatically part of the process?

Edit: nevermind i moved the cursor and it just shut down the monitor it's going fine

[jarekzgo]

if i choose the second option which is remove everything does it mean i have to activate the windows again?

p.s idont know my license since it was given to me.

[thor__]

hello MDtech . how i can format windows and keep my other partitions i mean format just partition c pls answer me

[jh]

The format did not take on a HP notebook, black screen now. All I can do now is get to the start up menu. Any advice on what I can do next. I pressed enter to cotinue start up but it goes back to a black screen.should I try F11 system recovery?

[GUYBITTON]

After not resetting it formatting my laptop for over 5 years
Does this method really clean it
Like brand new, bugs viruses, spam, unwanted software, etc??
Thanks

[ManaaAlmarzoqi]

To be honest all we need on YouTube is get Straight forward to the point.

[WolfMimirMori]

So I literally just press a button. Good to know!

[saud]

Hi there, do I need a usb with windows 10 on it to reinstall windows? Or does it do it automatically? And also I just bought a pc and it has a few games and other stuff that I want to remove. So will this remove viruses as well as other junk and reinstall a fresh copy of windows just like when it was brand new? Please let me know.

Thanks

[JamesSmith-cvdi]

Hey, semi quick question. I'm on Win 10 version 1803, have been trying to update for a year now, but every time the update fails. I've gone through most all of the troubleshooting tips out there and nothing works. Will this POSSIBLY help resolve my issue and allow me to update to a newer version?