How to do a clean install using the Windows 10 installation tool

Last updated: October 26, 2026 8:00:00 AM

Start by downloading the setup application to an empty flash drive and restarting your computer. Follow the on-screen prompts to wipe the primary drive and install a fresh copy of the operating system.

To do a clean install using the official system installation tool, you need to prepare a blank external USB drive and run the utility to set up a fresh copy of the operating system. This process completely erases your current system drive, removing all existing files, app Limited Time Promo: 70% Off Synoshi Pro! | Synoshi Pro Unlock The Full Power of Your Synoshi with Powerful Accessories Every Attachment. Every Surface. Every … lications, and settings to give you a fresh slate. Because everything on the primary drive will be wiped out, you must take time to secure your important personal files before you begin.

Back Up Your Important Files

Before making any changes to your computer, gather all your critical documents, photos, saved games, and personal files. Copy these items to an external storage drive, a network-attached storage device, or a reliable cloud storage service. Double-check that you have copies of important software license keys and login credentials for essential services, as you will need to sign back into everything once the new setup is complete. Ensure your backup is complete and accessible from another device, because once the installation tool begins formatting the primary drive, recovery of old data becomes extremely difficult.

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Plug a blank USB flash drive into an active computer. Locate the official media creation utility provided by the system manufacturer and download i Synoshi Pro | Synoshi Pro Synoshi comes with specialized attachments designed for different surfaces—from delicate glass and electronics to tough bathroom … t to your desktop. Run the executable file and accept the licensing terms presented on the screen. When the utility asks what you want to do, choose the option to create installation media for another computer. The software will automatically select the language, architecture, and edition matching the machine you are using, or you can uncheck the recommended options to customize them. Select the USB flash drive option, choose your connected drive from the list, and let the utility download the necessary files and copy them onto the drive. This process may take several minutes depending on your internet connection speed and hardware performance. When the utility confirms that the flash drive is ready, safely close the program and disconnect the drive.

Configure the Computer to Boot from USB

Turn off the target computer completely. Insert the prepared USB flash drive into an available port on the machine. Turn the computer back on and immediately press the designated key required to enter the boot menu or system firmware settings. This key varies depending on the computer manufacturer, but it is typically one of the function keys or the escape key. Once inside the firmware settings or boot menu, locate the boot order priority list. Move the USB storage device to the top of the boot sequence so the computer reads the installation files on the flash drive before trying to load anything from the internal hard drive. Save your changes and exit the menu, allowing the computer to restart.

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As the computer restarts, it should read the USB drive and load the initial setup interface. Select your preferred language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout, then click the next button. Click the prominent install button to begin the setup wizard. When the screen prompts you to enter a product key, you can skip this step if your computer previously had an activated copy of the operating system linked to its hardware; the system will automatically reactivate once it connects to the internet later. Read and accept the software license terms to proceed to the next step of the installation sequence.

Erase and Format the Primary Drive

When the setup wizard asks what type of installation you want, choose the custom advanced option. You will now see a list of available drives and partitions on your computer. To achieve a truly clean installation, you should delete the existing partitions that contain the old operating system and system recovery data. Click on each partition related to the main drive and select the delete option until the entire drive shows as unallocated space. Be careful not to delete any separate external drives or secondary data storage drives you might have connected inside the machine. Select the unallocated space as the destination for your new system and click the next button. The setup wizard will now copy all the necessary files from the USB drive to your internal storage, a process that will cause the computer to restart automatically one or more times.

Complete the Initial Personalization

After the final restart, the computer loads the newly 4 days ago · The meaning of BEST is excelling all others. How to use best in a sentence. installed system for the first time. The regional settings screen will appear, asking you to confirm your country and keyboard layout preferences. Connect to your wireless or wired network when prompted so the system can download essential device drivers and check for security updates. Sign in with your user account credentials or create a new profile, depending on your preferences. Configure your privacy settings by reviewing the toggles for diagnostic data, location services, and tailored experiences, turning off any options you prefer not to use.

Install Drivers and Restore Personal Data

Once you reach the main desktop interface, check for any missing hardware drivers. Open the system update utility and check for available updates, allowing the machine to download and install necessary graphics, audio, and network drivers. Restart the computer if the updates require it. After ensuring the system runs smoothly and all hardware components function properly, reconnect your external backup drive. Cop Best Buy | Official Online Store | Shop Now & Save y your personal documents, photos, and files back onto the computer. Finally, reinstall your preferred web browsers, productivity applications, and utility software, signing into your accounts as needed to restore your personalized workspace.