How To Get Windows 10 Product Key For Clean Install

A clean installation of Windows ten is the process of erasing the hardware and setting up a new fresh copy of the platform when a computer has a problem. For example, you can resolve operation, retentiveness, startup, shut down, and apps bug using this method. Also, it'south peradventure the best approach to remove viruses and other types of malware, and it tin aid to improve battery life.

In addition, it's an excellent solution to remove preloaded bloatware (unnecessary preloaded software) from Windows 10. You tin can use this method to decommission a figurer without giving away your information. Or you lot tin can set up a new installation subsequently replacing the hard drive.

Furthermore, if you lot had the same setup for some time, a make clean installation is the recommended option to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10 or upgrade from an older version (such as Windows 7 and Windows 8.i), minimizing the risks of problems during and after the process.

In this Windows 10 guide, nosotros will walk y'all through the consummate process to perform a clean installation.

How to prepare computer for clean install of Windows 10
How to create USB bootable media for clean install of Windows 10
How to perform clean install of Windows x
How to complete setup after make clean install of Windows x

How to prepare computer for clean install of Windows x

As you prepare to go along with a make clean installation of Windows 10, information technology'due south recommended to complete some essential tasks to minimize issues and potential information loss.

If you already have a backup of the computer and files. You have an activation product primal. The device tin can commencement from a USB wink bulldoze, and non-essential peripherals are asunder, and so you lot can skip this office and jump to the bootable media creation and a clean install process.

Create backup

The install process of Windows 10 deletes everything on the bulldoze, which means that backing up the entire device (or at least your files) is a crucial step unless you don't have anything important y'all want to proceed.

Back upward unabridged organisation

You should create a temporary backup to revert the settings or recover files if something goes wrong during the installation.

You can cull many different solutions, but the easiest way to create a total fill-in is to use the legacy Organization Image Backup tool available on Windows 10. Information technology'southward a deprecated characteristic, but it continues to work. The tool is also available for Windows 8.one and Windows 7.

Support files to OneDrive

If y'all need to support your documents, pictures, and other of import files, you can upload the information to OneDrive or another cloud storage service.

In case y'all use OneDrive, you can as well apply the backup settings folio to sync your profile folders, including Documents, Pictures, and Desktop, to the cloud automatically.

To configure OneDrive backup on Windows 10, utilize these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Backup.
Under the "Back up files to OneDrive" section, click the Back up files option.

Source: Windows Primal
(Optional) Click to articulate the folder you don't desire to back upwards in the cloud.
Click the Start backup push.

Source: Windows Primal

One time yous complete the steps, OneDrive will back up the files on the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures user folders in the cloud.

Back up files to external storage

If you have a lot of data, syncing the files to the cloud can be expensive and accept a long fourth dimension, and the available space may non even be enough. If this is the case, possibly the best option would be to copy the files to an external USB hard bulldoze.

To create a file backup manually, connect an external drive with enough storage infinite to your Windows 10 computer, and use these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Blazon the following path in the accost bar and press Enter:

%HOMEPATH%

Source: Windows Central
Click the Select all button from the "Dwelling" tab.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Copy to button from the "Domicile" tab.
Select the Cull location selection.
Select the destination location.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Copy button.

Later you complete the steps, repeat the instructions to back upwards the remaining accounts (every bit necessary). In addition to copying your files, it's too a expert idea to create a list of the installed programs with their respective product keys (if applicable) to know the apps to reinstall later the installation.

If you usually don't sync passwords and bookmarks with an online service, at present's a good time to export your browser credentials and links equally you'll need them later to admission your online services.

In case you don't have an external hard drive or one without enough infinite, we recommend the Western Digital Elements Desktop Difficult Drive because of its portability, chapters, and price.

Check Windows ten activation

Although after activating Windows 10, y'all no longer take to provide a product central for reinstallation in the same computer. In one case the new installation completes, the organisation volition automatically reactivate when it connects to the internet.

To confirm whether Windows 10 is properly activated, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
Nether the "Windows" section, confirm the activation. If the computer has been properly activated, you'll see i of these messages:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, simply it isn't linked to your Microsoft business relationship.
- Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft business relationship: The installation has been activated, and the license is linked to your Microsoft business relationship.
Source: Windows Key

Later on you complete the steps, Windows x should automatically reactivate later the make clean installation if your current setup is activated.

Obtain Windows 10 genuine key

If you have to set an installation on a computer that never had an activated version of Windows 10, or you plan to upgrade from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, you will take to purchase a valid license from the Microsoft Store, Amazon, or another retailer.

Download essential drivers

Windows 10 tin discover and install about drivers automatically. Still, it'due south usually recommended to download at least the essential drivers before the procedure (such as for the network adapter and graphics card), as a precaution, in example the setup fails to add these drivers correctly, especially on custom reckoner builds.

You can use our guide to install device drivers on Windows x.

Hither's a listing of the about popular manufacturers to download the latest device drivers:

Dell
HP
Lenovo
ASUS
Acer
Samsung
MSI

Confirm Windows 10 requirements

If the device already has Windows 10, the following major update virtually likely will see the minimum hardware requirements. However, if you're well-nigh to upgrade a figurer running Windows 7 or Windows eight.1, you want to check that the device meets the minimum requirements.

Hither are the minimum requirements to install the Windows 10 November 2022 Update (and higher):

Processor: 1GHz or System on a Chip (SoC).
Memory: 1GB for 32-bit or 2GB for 64-bit.
Storage: 32GB for 64-bit or 32-chip.
Graphics card: DirectX ix or subsequently with WDDM ane.0 driver.
Display: 800x600.

Y'all can utilize these instructions to check the device technical specifications to confirm y'all can do a clean install of Windows x.

Alter boot order on firmware

It's also important to brand sure that the calculator can kicking from a USB flash bulldoze. If this is not the case, you'll need to alter the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) on the motherboard.

Alter boot gild using UEFI

On computers already running Windows 10 or 8.1, y'all tin can access the settings to alter the boot order within the desktop interface.

UEFI settings on Windows 10

To change the UEFI settings on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Recovery.
Under the "Advanced startup" department, click the Restart now push.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Troubleshoot button.

Source: Windows Central
Click on Advanced options.

Source: Windows Key
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings option.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Restart button.

Source: Windows Key
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Boot page.
Set up the boot order to start from the USB wink bulldoze with the Windows 10 installation files.

Source: Windows Central
Save the changes.

Subsequently you lot consummate the steps, the estimator should now be able to start from a USB bootable media.

UEFI settings on Windows 8.1

To change the UEFI settings on Windows 8.i, utilize these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update and recovery.
Click on Recovery.
Under the "Advanced Startup" section, click the Restart now button.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Troubleshoot option.

Source: Windows Central
Click on Advanced options.

Source: Windows Central
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Restart button.

Source: Windows Central
Within the motherboard firmware settings, open up the Boot folio.
Set the boot lodge to offset from the USB media with the Windows 10 installation files.

Source: Windows Central
Save the changes.

One time you complete the steps, the device will starting time from a USB flash drive to proceed with the installation process.

UEFI settings on Windows seven

To change the UEFI settings on Windows vii, utilise these steps:

Start the PC.
As soon equally it starts, press the F1, F2, F3, F10, F12, Esc, or Delete key to access the firmware.

Quick tip: You may demand to check your manufacturer support website for more specific steps to access the firmware settings.
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open up the Boot page.
Set the boot order to outset with the Windows ten installation files from the USB media.

After you lot complete the steps, yous should be able to offset the device using a bootable media.

Configure kick guild using BIOS

If you accept a legacy BIOS firmware, you can modify the kick order with these steps:

Kickoff the PC.
Equally soon as the computer starts booting up, printing one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), Esc, or Delete key.
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Kicking page.
Gear up the boot order to start with the Windows 10 installation files from the USB media.

Source: Windows Central
Save the changes.

Once you complete the steps, the computer can now offset from the USB flash bulldoze to upgrade to Windows 10.

Disconnect non-essential peripherals

Typically, peripherals are among the most common reason for bug during a Windows 10 installation. If you have non-essential peripherals connected to the computer (such as removable storage and other USB and Bluetooth devices, printers, scanners, cameras, and others), it'southward recommended to disconnect them.

Yous merely demand a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and internet connectedness. Later the setup, you can reconnect the peripherals (one at a time) to ensure they don't cause whatsoever issues.

How to create USB for clean install of Windows 10

You will need a USB bootable media to perform a make clean installation of Windows 10. You can easily create 1 using many tools, including the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and Rufus.

Create Windows 10 USB with Media Creation Tool

To create an installation media using the Media Creation Tool, connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of space, and utilize these steps:

Open the Windows 10 download page.
Nether the "Create Windows x installation media" section, click the Download tool now button to relieve the file on the computer.
Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Accept button to concur to the Microsoft terms.
Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for some other PC option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next button.
(Optional) Clear the Use the recommended options for this PC option.
Select the correct language, architecture, and edition of Windows ten.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Adjacent button.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Adjacent push button.

Source: Windows Central
Select the USB flash drive (or click the "Refresh drive list" pick to make information technology available).

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Finish button.

One time you complete the steps, the tool volition download the files and create an installer with the latest installation files, which you lot can then use to kickoff the device and configure a fresh copy of Windows 10.

Create Windows x USB with Rufus

Alternatively, the Rufus tool can help you lot create an installation media for computers with UEFI or BIOS firmware.

Rufus is a gratuitous tool with many options to help y'all create a bootable media of Windows 10 faster. However, it's important to remember that it's a third-political party option, which Microsoft does not back up. As a effect, employ it at your own risk.

To create a Windows 10 USB installer with Rufus, connect a USB wink bulldoze of at least 8GB of space, so use these steps:

Open up the Rufus download page.
Nether the "Download" section, click the link to save the latest release on the computer.

Source: Windows Primal
Double-click the Rufus-x.20.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Settings button (tertiary button from the left) at the bottom of the page.

Source: Windows Central
Under the "Settings" department, use the Check for updates drop-down menu and select the Daily option.

Source: Windows Primal

Quick tip: These steps are necessary to enable the option to use the tool to download the ISO file of Windows ten.
Click the Shut button.
Close the Rufus tool.
Relaunch the Rufus tool.
Under the "Device" section, use the drib-down carte du jour to select the USB flash drive.
Under the "Boot selection" section, click the down pointer button on the right and select the Download choice.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you lot already accept an ISO file, click the Select push button, cull the Windows 10 ISO file, and continue with pace 24.
Click the Download push button.
Use the "Version" driblet-down carte and select the Windows ten selection.
Click the Continue push button.
Select the 21H2 (Build 19044.xxx - xxxx.xx) option to download the Windows 10 November 2022 Update.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Continue button.
Use the "Edition" driblet-down bill of fare and select the Windows 10 Home/Pro option.
Click the Go on button.
Use the "Language" drop-downwardly menu and select the installation linguistic communication.

Quick tip: In the United States, choose the "English language" option, non "English International."
Click the Go on button.
Apply the "Architecture" drop-down carte and select the 32-scrap or 64-scrap (recommended).
Click the Download button.
Select the location to download the ISO file.
Click the Save button.
Employ the "Prototype option" drop-downwards menu to select the Standard Windows installation option.
Utilise the "Partitioning scheme" drib-downwards menu to select the GPT option.
Use the "Target organization" drop-down card to select the UEFI (non CSM) option.

Source: Windows Fundamental

Quick note: If the computer includes a legacy BIOS, select the MBR pick for partitioning scheme and BIOS (or UEFI-CSM) option target system.
Under the "Bear witness Advanced bulldoze properties" department, don't change the default settings.
(Optional) Under the "Book label" field, enter a descriptive proper noun for the drive — for example, "win10_usb."
Nether the "File system" and "Cluster size" sections, don't change the default settings.
Click the Show avant-garde format options button.
Select the Quick format and Create extended characterization and icon files options.
Click the Start button.
Click the OK button to ostend.
Click the Close push.

After you complete the steps, Rufus will download the ISO file from the Microsoft servers, and it'll create the bootable media to perform a clean install of Windows 10.

How to perform make clean install of Windows 10

The installation process of Windows ten has ii main parts, including the setup and out-of-box feel (OOBE). In the setup procedure, that'due south where you will select some of the basic settings, and you'll discover the options to erase the hard drive, configure the partitions, and make clean install Windows x. The out-of-box experience happens after the setup is complete, and it's the stage where y'all'll configure your settings, such as region, network, account, privacy, and other settings.

Windows 10 clean install process

After the preparation, you can go along with the make clean installation of Windows x.

Warning: This is some other friendly reminder that this process will erase everything on the computer. Before proceeding, it'southward always recommended to make a temporary full backup of your PC.

To practice a clean installation of Windows 10, use these steps:

Beginning the PC with Windows x USB media.
On prompt, press whatever key to boot from the USB flash drive.
On the "Windows Setup," click the Next push.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If your language, time and currency, and keyboard are dissimilar from the default selections, make sure to select the correct settings.
Click the Install now push button.

Source: Windows Central
On a reinstallation, click the I don't accept a production key option to continue (bold that your device was already activated). Otherwise, if this is your first time installing Windows 10, enter the production primal.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Adjacent button.
Select the edition of Windows ten (If applicative).

Source: Windows Central

Quick note: The selection has to match the edition of your product fundamental. If you don't select the right edition, Windows ten won't activate, and you'll have to redo the unabridged process.
Click the Next button.
Select the I have the license terms selection to go on.
Click the Next push button.
Click the Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced) option to continue with a clean installation.

Source: Windows Central
Select the partition with the electric current installation (usually "Bulldoze 0") and click the Delete push button.

Quick tip: If "Drive 0" has multiple partitions, you accept to select and delete each partition to allow the setup to use the entire hard drive for the new clean installation. The setup will create the required partitions automatically during the process. Likewise, it's not necessary to delete the partitions on secondary drives.
Click the Yes button.

Source: Windows Central
Select the empty bulldoze (Drive 0 Unallocated Infinite).

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the Next button.

In one case y'all complete the steps, the setup will install a fresh re-create of Windows 10 on the device.

If you plan to decommission the reckoner, you practise non demand to go on with the out-of-box feel. If this is an upgrade, keep with the instructions below.

Windows x out-of-box experience

Later the setup, y'all have to continue with the out-of-box feel to configure your preferences and create a new business relationship.

To complete the OOBE on Windows x, use these steps:

Select your Region option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Yep button.
Select your keyboard layout pick.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button (unless y'all demand to add a 2d keyboard layout).

Quick note: If you don't have a wired network connection, you'll have to sign into the wireless network.
Select the Set up for personal use option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Side by side push.
Confirm your Microsoft account data to create an account.

Source: Windows Central

Quick note: The recommended process is to use a Microsoft account. Nonetheless, if you want to use a traditional local account, y'all'll need to click the Offline account pick from the bottom-left corner and go along with the on-screen directions.
Click the Next push button.
Ostend your account countersign.
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Create PIN push button.

Source: Windows Central
Create a 4-digit Windows Howdy PIN.

Source: Windows Cardinal

Quick tip: If y'all want to proceed using a traditional password, click the Cancel button to skip the process.
Select the privacy settings for the device (and don't forget to scroll down the folio to review all the available settings).
Click the Accept button.

Source: Windows Central
(Optional) Click the Skip button, or select how you will exist using the device to receive targeted ads, tips, and other recommendations and click the Accept button.

Source: Windows Key
(Optional) Click the No, thanks button to skip the telephone link process.

Source: Windows Cardinal
(Optional) Click the Next button to allow OneDrive to back up the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to the cloud. If you lot employ another cloud service or prefer not to upload files to the cloud, click the Just save files to this PC option in the screen's bottom-left corner.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Reject button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup (as necessary).

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you lot have an Function product key, you can click the I have a product key option, and and so the apps volition install automatically.
(Optional) Click the Non now push to go on without setting up Cortana.

Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, the settings will utilize to the clean installation of Windows 10, and you should be able to see the default desktop feel.

How to complete setup after installation of Windows 10

Once the installation is complete, information technology'due south also good to check that Windows 10 isn't missing any disquisitional updates or drivers and is properly activated.

Install updates

To download and install the latest updates, utilize these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Check for updates button.

Source: Windows Central

One time you complete the steps, whatsoever bachelor updates will automatically download and install. Also, a restart may be required to complete the update process.

Check missing drivers

To decide whether drivers are missing on Windows x, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.
Confirm that none of the devices has a yellow or ruby-red marker, and brand certain nothing is listed as unknown.

Source: Windows Central

If some hardware has issues, you may need to manually install the latest drivers from your calculator manufacturer's support website. You can use this guide to install device drivers on Windows ten.

Install missing drivers

On Windows x, drivers tin also exist function of the optional updates. If the calculator doesn't take all the required drivers, you lot may be able to download them from Windows Update.

To download missing drivers on Windows x, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the View optional updates option. If the option isn't available, it ways that Windows Update doesn't have any driver updates for the computer.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Driver updates section.
Select the missing driver.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Download and install button.

After you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and install the missing drivers automatically.

Confirm activation

To confirm Windows ten was activated correctly, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
If Windows 10 is activated successfully, you lot will see one of these messages:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, simply it isn't linked to your Microsoft account.
- Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft business relationship: The installation has been activated, and the license is linked to your Microsoft account.
Source: Windows Cardinal

In instance Windows ten didn't activate, the device will endeavour to reactivate at a later on time. If y'all're withal having issues after a couple of days, you can use the Activation Troubleshooter to activate.

Reinstall apps

It'due south at present time to reinstall the apps, including your preferred web browser, such every bit Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera to scan the web.

If you lot utilise Spotify or iTunes to heed to tunes while working or surfing the net, yous can download these apps and others from the Microsoft Store.

Also, it's now a good time to download and install the Microsoft Office apps to get-go working with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and managing your emails with Outlook.

Restore files from backup

The concluding thing left to do is to restore your documents from backup. If you previously configured file fill-in with OneDrive, the data should already exist available within the OneDrive folder, but if the app didn't configure automatically, yous can utilise this guide.

If you have a backup of your files on an external drive, reconnect the storage to restore the data into the default folders (Documents, Downloads, Pictures, etc.).

To restore files from backup on Windows 10, employ these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Under the This PC section in the left pane, select the external bulldoze with the file fill-in.
Select the folders with the file to restore.
Click the Re-create to menu from the "Home" tab.

Source: Windows Central
Select the Choose location option.
Select the destination to restore the files — for example, the Documents folder.
Click the Copy button.

Later you lot consummate the steps, the files will restore to the new location.

Although you can start a clean installation using the Media Cosmos Tool without a USB media and fifty-fifty the "Reset this PC" option from the recovery settings, these methods have their limitations and do not e'er work as expected. The bootable media is the culling if yous want the best possible clean installation method.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions well-nigh Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resource:

Windows 11 on Windows Fundamental — All you need to know
Windows 11 help, tips, and tricks
Windows x on Windows Central — All yous need to know

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