How To Install Windows 10 From Usb On New Pc

A clean installation of Windows 10 is the procedure of erasing the hardware and setting up a new fresh copy of the platform when a reckoner has a problem. For instance, you tin can resolve operation, memory, startup, shut down, and apps bug using this method. As well, information technology's perhaps the best arroyo to remove viruses and other types of malware, and it tin can aid to improve bombardment life.

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

Furthermore, if yous had the same setup for some time, a clean installation is the recommended option to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10 or upgrade from an older version (such every bit Windows seven and Windows viii.1), minimizing the risks of issues during and after the process.

In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the consummate process to perform a make 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 10
How to consummate setup afterwards make clean install of Windows 10

How to set up calculator for clean install of Windows 10

As you lot gear up to proceed with a make clean installation of Windows 10, it's recommended to complete some essential tasks to minimize issues and potential information loss.

If you already have a backup of the reckoner and files. Yous accept an activation product primal. The device tin can starting time from a USB flash bulldoze, and non-essential peripherals are disconnected, then you can skip this part and jump to the bootable media creation and a clean install process.

Create backup

The install procedure of Windows x deletes everything on the bulldoze, which means that backing up the entire device (or at least your files) is a crucial stride unless yous don't have anything of import you desire to keep.

Support entire organisation

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

Yous can choose many different solutions, just the easiest way to create a full backup is to use the legacy Organisation Image Fill-in tool available on Windows 10. It's a deprecated feature, merely it continues to work. The tool is besides available for Windows 8.1 and Windows seven.

Back up files to OneDrive

If you lot need to back up your documents, pictures, and other important files, you can upload the information to OneDrive or another cloud storage service.

In case you use OneDrive, yous can also use the backup settings page to sync your profile folders, including Documents, Pictures, and Desktop, to the cloud automatically.

To configure OneDrive fill-in on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Fill-in.
Under the "Back up files to OneDrive" section, click the Back up files selection.

Source: Windows Central
(Optional) Click to clear the folder you don't want to back up in the cloud.
Click the Start backup button.

Source: Windows Primal

Once you complete the steps, OneDrive will support 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 deject can be expensive and take a long time, and the available space may non even be enough. If this is the case, perhaps the best choice would be to copy the files to an external USB hard drive.

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.
Type 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 "Habitation" tab.
Select the Choose location option.
Select the destination location.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Copy button.

Subsequently yous complete the steps, repeat the instructions to back up the remaining accounts (as 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 applicative) to know the apps to reinstall after the installation.

If y'all ordinarily don't sync passwords and bookmarks with an online service, now's a good time to consign your browser credentials and links as you'll need them later to access your online services.

In instance you don't have an external hard drive or ane without enough space, we recommend the Western Digital Elements Desktop Hard Bulldoze because of its portability, capacity, and price.

Bank check Windows 10 activation

Although after activating Windows 10, you no longer have to provide a product key for reinstallation in the same figurer. Once the new installation completes, the system volition automatically reactivate when it connects to the internet.

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

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
Under the "Windows" section, confirm the activation. If the figurer has been properly activated, you'll run across one of these letters:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, just 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 business relationship.
Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 should automatically reactivate later on the clean installation if your current setup is activated.

Obtain Windows 10 18-carat central

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

Download essential drivers

Windows x tin can detect and install most drivers automatically. However, it's usually recommended to download at least the essential drivers before the process (such as for the network adapter and graphics card), as a precaution, in example the setup fails to add these drivers correctly, specially on custom estimator builds.

You can apply our guide to install device drivers on Windows 10.

Here'southward a list of the near pop 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 post-obit major update most likely will meet the minimum hardware requirements. However, if you're about to upgrade a computer running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, y'all want to check that the device meets the minimum requirements.

Here are the minimum requirements to install the Windows x November 2021 Update (and higher):

Processor: 1GHz or System on a Scrap (SoC).
Retentiveness: 1GB for 32-flake or 2GB for 64-chip.
Storage: 32GB for 64-bit or 32-fleck.
Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
Display: 800x600.

You can use these instructions to check the device technical specifications to confirm you can exercise a clean install of Windows 10.

Change kicking order on firmware

It'south also important to make certain that the calculator tin can kicking from a USB flash drive. If this is not the case, you'll need to change the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) on the motherboard.

Change boot order using UEFI

On computers already running Windows 10 or viii.ane, yous can access the settings to change the boot order within the desktop interface.

UEFI settings on Windows ten

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

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Recovery.
Nether the "Avant-garde startup" department, click the Restart now button.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Troubleshoot button.

Source: Windows Central
Click on Avant-garde options.

Source: Windows Central
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Restart button.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Within the motherboard firmware settings, open the Kick folio.
Set the boot gild to showtime from the USB flash bulldoze with the Windows 10 installation files.

Source: Windows Central
Salve the changes.

After yous consummate the steps, the estimator should now be able to start from a USB bootable media.

UEFI settings on Windows viii.i

To change the UEFI settings on Windows viii.one, use these steps:

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

Source: Windows Key
Click the Troubleshoot option.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click on Avant-garde options.

Source: Windows Central
Click the UEFI Firmware Settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Restart button.

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

Source: Windows Central
Save the changes.

Once yous complete the steps, the device will start from a USB flash drive to proceed with the installation process.

UEFI settings on Windows 7

To modify the UEFI settings on Windows vii, utilize these steps:

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

Quick tip: You may need to check your manufacturer support website for more specific steps to access the firmware settings.
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Kicking page.
Prepare the boot order to start with the Windows ten installation files from the USB media.

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

Configure kick order using BIOS

If y'all have a legacy BIOS firmware, yous can change the boot guild with these steps:

Get-go the PC.
Every bit soon as the computer starts booting up, press one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), Esc, or Delete key.
Inside the motherboard firmware settings, open the Boot page.
Set the boot order to starting time with the Windows 10 installation files from the USB media.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Save the changes.

In one case yous complete the steps, the computer tin can now start from the USB flash bulldoze to upgrade to Windows 10.

Disconnect non-essential peripherals

Typically, peripherals are amidst the virtually common reason for problems during a Windows 10 installation. If you accept non-essential peripherals connected to the computer (such equally removable storage and other USB and Bluetooth devices, printers, scanners, cameras, and others), it's recommended to disconnect them.

You just need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and internet connection. Afterward the setup, you tin can reconnect the peripherals (one at a time) to ensure they don't cause whatsoever issues.

How to create USB for make clean install of Windows 10

You volition need a USB bootable media to perform a clean installation of Windows x. You tin easily create one using many tools, including the Microsoft Media Cosmos Tool and Rufus.

Create Windows ten USB with Media Creation Tool

To create an installation media using the Media Cosmos Tool, connect a USB wink bulldoze of at least 8GB of space, and use these steps:

Open the Windows 10 download page.
Under the "Create Windows ten installation media" section, click the Download tool now push to salve the file on the calculator.
Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Accept push to agree to the Microsoft terms.
Select the Create installation media (USB flash bulldoze, DVD, or ISO file) for some other PC option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next button.
(Optional) Clear the Employ the recommended options for this PC choice.
Select the right linguistic communication, architecture, and edition of Windows 10.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the Next button.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next button.

Source: Windows Central
Select the USB flash drive (or click the "Refresh drive list" option to go far available).

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Next button.
Click the Finish push.

One time you consummate the steps, the tool will download the files and create an installer with the latest installation files, which yous can and then employ to beginning the device and configure a fresh copy of Windows 10.

Create Windows 10 USB with Rufus

Alternatively, the Rufus tool tin help y'all create an installation media for computers with UEFI or BIOS firmware.

Rufus is a free tool with many options to aid you create a bootable media of Windows 10 faster. Nonetheless, it's important to remember that it's a tertiary-party choice, which Microsoft does non support. Equally a consequence, utilise it at your ain risk.

To create a Windows ten USB installer with Rufus, connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of infinite, and then use these steps:

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

Source: Windows Fundamental
Double-click the Rufus-ten.xx.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Settings button (3rd button from the left) at the lesser of the page.

Source: Windows Central
Nether the "Settings" section, utilize the Bank check for updates driblet-down carte du jour and select the Daily selection.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: These steps are necessary to enable the option to utilise the tool to download the ISO file of Windows x.
Click the Close button.
Close the Rufus tool.
Relaunch the Rufus tool.
Under the "Device" section, utilize the drop-downward carte du jour to select the USB flash drive.
Nether the "Boot pick" section, click the downwardly pointer button on the right and select the Download pick.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you already accept an ISO file, click the Select push, choose the Windows 10 ISO file, and keep with pace 24.
Click the Download push.
Use the "Version" driblet-downwardly menu and select the Windows 10 option.
Click the Proceed button.
Select the 21H2 (Build 19044.30 - xxxx.20) option to download the Windows 10 November 2021 Update.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Go on push button.
Employ the "Edition" driblet-downwardly menu and select the Windows 10 Home/Pro option.
Click the Continue button.
Use the "Language" drop-down menu and select the installation language.

Quick tip: In the Us, choose the "English language" selection, not "English International."
Click the Keep button.
Utilise the "Architecture" driblet-downward carte and select the 32-bit or 64-bit (recommended).
Click the Download push.
Select the location to download the ISO file.
Click the Save button.
Use the "Prototype option" drop-down menu to select the Standard Windows installation option.
Use the "Sectionalisation scheme" drop-down menu to select the GPT option.
Use the "Target system" driblet-downwardly menu to select the UEFI (non CSM) pick.

Source: Windows Fundamental

Quick notation: If the estimator includes a legacy BIOS, select the MBR option for partition scheme and BIOS (or UEFI-CSM) pick target system.
Under the "Evidence Advanced drive properties" section, don't change the default settings.
(Optional) Under the "Volume label" field, enter a descriptive proper name for the bulldoze — for example, "win10_usb."
Under the "File system" and "Cluster size" sections, don't modify the default settings.
Click the Bear witness advanced format options button.
Select the Quick format and Create extended label and icon files options.
Click the Start push.
Click the OK button to confirm.
Click the Shut push button.

After y'all consummate 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 x

The installation procedure of Windows 10 has two chief parts, including the setup and out-of-box experience (OOBE). In the setup process, that's where y'all will select some of the basic settings, and you lot'll detect the options to erase the hard drive, configure the partitions, and clean install Windows x. The out-of-box experience happens later the setup is consummate, and it'southward the stage where you'll configure your settings, such as region, network, account, privacy, and other settings.

Windows 10 make clean install process

After the preparation, you can proceed with the make clean installation of Windows 10.

Alarm: This is another friendly reminder that this process will erase everything on the computer. Before proceeding, information technology's always recommended to make a temporary full backup of your PC.

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

Start the PC with Windows 10 USB media.
On prompt, printing any key to kick from the USB flash drive.
On the "Windows Setup," click the Adjacent push button.

Source: Windows Central

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

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

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next push.
Select the edition of Windows x (If applicable).

Source: Windows Fundamental

Quick notation: The choice has to friction match the edition of your product fundamental. If you don't select the correct edition, Windows x won't activate, and y'all'll have to redo the entire procedure.
Click the Next push button.
Select the I take the license terms option to keep.
Click the Next button.
Click the Custom: Install Windows only (Avant-garde) selection to continue with a clean installation.

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

Quick tip: If "Drive 0" has multiple partitions, you accept to select and delete each division to allow the setup to use the entire hard drive for the new clean installation. The setup volition create the required partitions automatically during the process. Besides, it's non necessary to delete the partitions on secondary drives.
Click the Yes button.

Source: Windows Primal
Select the empty drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space).

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Adjacent push.

One time you complete the steps, the setup will install a fresh copy of Windows 10 on the device.

If you plan to decommission the figurer, you practice non need to go along with the out-of-box experience. If this is an upgrade, proceed with the instructions below.

Windows 10 out-of-box experience

After the setup, you take to keep with the out-of-box experience to configure your preferences and create a new account.

To complete the OOBE on Windows 10, use these steps:

Select your Region pick.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Yes push button.
Select your keyboard layout choice.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Yes push button.
Click the Skip push (unless you need to add a second keyboard layout).

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

Source: Windows Central
Click the Adjacent button.
Confirm your Microsoft account information to create an account.

Source: Windows Primal

Quick notation: The recommended procedure is to use a Microsoft account. Withal, if you desire to use a traditional local account, you'll demand to click the Offline business relationship choice from the bottom-left corner and continue with the on-screen directions.
Click the Side by side push button.
Confirm your account countersign.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create Pivot push button.

Source: Windows Central
Create a iv-digit Windows Hi Pivot.

Source: Windows Central

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

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

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

Source: Windows Central
(Optional) Click the Side by side button to allow OneDrive to dorsum up the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to the cloud. If yous utilize another cloud service or adopt non to upload files to the cloud, click the Just save files to this PC choice in the screen's bottom-left corner.

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

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you have an Office product fundamental, you tin click the I accept a product key choice, and and so the apps will install automatically.
(Optional) Click the Non now button to go on without setting up Cortana.

Source: Windows Central

Later you complete the steps, the settings will apply to the clean installation of Windows 10, and you should exist able to come across the default desktop experience.

How to complete setup after installation of Windows x

Once the installation is complete, it'south also adept to check that Windows 10 isn't missing whatsoever critical updates or drivers and is properly activated.

Install updates

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

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

Source: Windows Central

Once you consummate the steps, whatever available updates will automatically download and install. Also, a restart may be required to consummate the update procedure.

Check missing drivers

To decide whether drivers are missing on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open up Outset.
Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open up the app.
Ostend that none of the devices has a yellow or ruddy marker, and make sure null is listed as unknown.

Source: Windows Central

If some hardware has problems, y'all may need to manually install the latest drivers from your calculator manufacturer's support website. You can employ this guide to install device drivers on Windows 10.

Install missing drivers

On Windows 10, drivers can besides exist part of the optional updates. If the computer doesn't have all the required drivers, you may be able to download them from Windows Update.

To download missing drivers on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the View optional updates option. If the pick isn't available, it ways that Windows Update doesn't have whatever commuter 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 volition download and install the missing drivers automatically.

Confirm activation

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

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Activation.
If Windows ten is activated successfully, yous will see 1 of these letters:
- Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, but information technology isn't linked to your Microsoft account.
- Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account: The installation has been activated, and the license is linked to your Microsoft account.
Source: Windows Central

In instance Windows 10 didn't actuate, the device volition try to reactivate at a later time. If you're still having issues after a couple of days, yous can use the Activation Troubleshooter to activate.

Reinstall apps

Information technology's now time to reinstall the apps, including your preferred web browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera to browse the web.

If you use Spotify or iTunes to listen to tunes while working or surfing the internet, you lot tin can download these apps and others from the Microsoft Store.

Too, it'southward now a good time to download and install the Microsoft Office apps to first working with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and managing your emails with Outlook.

Restore files from backup

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

If yous 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, use these steps:

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

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

After you complete the steps, the files volition restore to the new location.

Although you can start a clean installation using the Media Creation Tool without a USB media and even the "Reset this PC" choice from the recovery settings, these methods have their limitations and do not ever work as expected. The bootable media is the alternative if you want the best possible clean installation method.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions almost Windows ten and Windows xi, visit the post-obit resources:

Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
Windows 11 help, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you demand to know

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