Microsoft might accept described Windows 10 as 'the terminal version of Windows' when it starting time launched, only that's not turned out to be the case.

After plans for a spin-off in Windows 10X were cancelled, Microsoft decided that 2021 was the time for a true successor. Predictably, it'south known as Windows 11, although the changes introduced certainly aren't for everyone. The redesigned taskbar and Start carte have proven controversial, while new multitasking functionality and Widgets panel take some getting used to.

Only nether the surface, not a huge amount has changed. Unless you value native Android app support via the Amazon Appstore, y'all may have decided to stick with Windows x. After all, it will go along to exist supported until October 2025.

Nevertheless, these are your simply two realistic choices in 2022. Windows 8 doesn't technically reached finish of life in January 2023, only we wouldn't recommend anyone uses the outdated Os. The aforementioned tin can be said of Windows vii, which has been officially dangerous to utilise for more two years.

At this point, most people will exist taking advantage of the free upgrade from Windows x to Windows 11. Installing it is a relatively unproblematic process, but and then is reinstalling Windows 10. That's the focus of this article, as Microsoft has provided several different methods.

What to know earlier yous start

There's even one which tin install the operating system fresh, without tampering with your files or some settings preferences. It too means you lot'll automatically be updated to the latest version of Windows 10, which is adept news if y'all're a bit behind on software updates.

Equally with and then many installation tutorials, the speed of this procedure volition depend on the hardware you're working with. An SSD will be much faster than a mechanical hard drive for reinstalling Windows 10. Because you lot'll be downloading new software, it will also accept a long time if you're internet connection is deadening. Read our tips on how to speed up your internet if you lot call back this might be an upshot.

Just don't await to utilise the device for a while later the reinstall process begins - your PC is likely to be out of action for upward to two hours.

Alarm: Before y'all reinstall Windows using the process below, you should also dorsum up all your files, music, photos, videos, save games and web bookmarks. Although these will all exist kept, it's besides great a risk not to make a backup of any documents that y'all cannot replace.

Y'all may already take a backup of those, but since all your apps volition be removed, you should also:

  • Deregister whatever apps which volition need to be activated again after you lot reinstall them (such as older versions of Photoshop)
  • Research how to back up progress in your games so yous don't have to outset fresh
  • Salve web bookmarks (or sign into Chrome or Firefox so they are saved to the cloud)
  • Look for any activation keys y'all might need to reinstall apps once Windows is reinstalled
  • Download and save drivers for your network adapter (either Ethernet or Wi-Fi) to ensure you can get reconnected to the internet

Link your Windows x product key with your Microsoft account

There's one more task before y'all first. If you oasis't washed then already, you lot should link your Windows 10 product key with your Microsoft account. If you don't do this, Windows 10 might not be able to re-activate afterward you reinstall it. But Windows 10 doesn't necessarily accept a product key and if you previously upgraded from Windows 7 or viii, you lot certainly won't have i.

Whether you take a Windows ten product key or non, caput to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. If the status says "Windows is activated with a digital licence" but says no more than, then it isn't linked to your Microsoft account.

How to reinstall Windows

To fix that, go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info. Click "Sign in with a Microsoft business relationship" and follow the prompts. Once washed, y'all can cheque nether Activation and you should now see that the message reads"Windows is activated with a digital licence associated with your Microsoft account".

Nonetheless, this merely applies to personal accounts - you may nevertheless run into the "Windows is activated with a digital licence" message if your employer manages your PC. Don't worry, you'll still be able to activate Windows 10 over again subsequently yous reinstall.

How to reinstall Windows 10

Provided your computer can boot into Windows ten, open the Settings app (the cog icon towards the bottom-left of the Outset bill of fare), and so click on Update & Security. Click on Recovery, then 'Become started' under 'Reset this PC'.

Reinstall Windows 10

From the pop-upwardly that appears, click 'Keep my files'.

Reinstall Windows 10

On the next screen, choose whether you'd similar to download and re-install Windows 10 from the deject, or based on existing files from your device. The former will eat a lot more data, but local installs typically take longer.

Reinstall Windows 10

From the post-obit screen, select 'Change settings'.

Reinstall Windows 10

Now, click the toggle nether 'Restore preinstalled apps?' to select No. Click 'Confirm' to salve your changes.

Reinstall Windows 10

You'll now exist returned to the previous screen, simply this fourth dimension the first bullet point volition read 'Practise non restore apps and settings that came with this PC'. If that'south the case, click 'Side by side'.

Reinstall Windows 10

After a few seconds, yous'll encounter a summary of the reset you're about to perform. If y'all're happy with this, click 'Reset' to begin the procedure.

Reinstall Windows 10

Later 20-40 minutes, Windows will be reinstalled and you'll see the login screen. Again, follow the prompts equally for a new PC to choose your region, linguistic communication, keyboard layout, password and the other information that Windows ten needs earlier you are taken to your fresh desktop.

Equally this really is a clean installation, no drivers volition be installed for your hardware. That isn't a problem with Windows 10, as it should be able to automatically install and configure everything automatically - and then long as information technology can connect to the internet.

To check, click the icon to the left of the speaker (volume) icon as shown below. The 1 below will show if you're connected via ethernet, merely Wi-Fi connections will display looking like the icon next to 'ICO Guest WiFi'.

How to reinstall Windows

If in that location are no Wi-Fi networks in the list and a bulletin saying there are no connections available, either look and come across if Windows manages to install network drivers automatically, or install them manually (provided yous downloaded them every bit brash earlier).

Once y'all have a working internet connection, leave Windows to do its thing for at to the lowest degree half an 60 minutes. And so check Device Manager (right-click the Windows icon at the bottom-left of the desktop to meet it in the menu). If all is well, there will be no xanthous assertion marks next to whatever devices. Here, you tin can see that the driver is missing for the network controller.

How to reinstall Windows

If yours is like this, double-click on the name of the network controller to bring up the properties. Click Update Commuter in the window that opens and direct it to the drivers you downloaded earlier - you may have to unzip the files if the download had a .cypher file extension. And to practise that just double-click on the downloaded file and choose where to excerpt the contents.

What if I tin't admission Settings?

If you can't kick into Windows 10 and and so cannot follow the steps above then try the following.

First, turn on your calculator and wait for whatsoever messages which appear before the Windows logo. Some laptops and PCs come with a 'hidden' difficult bulldoze on which is a full backup of Windows. Typically there will be a bulletin such as "Press F10 for restore options". Each PC is unlike, but you may find an pick to reset the PC to manufactory settings. What this does is to delete everything on the hard drive and re-create the hidden version of Windows back on to the hard drive and then your computer will be exactly the same as the day it left the factory.

You lot tin can also endeavor pressing the F8 key to access the avant-garde boot options carte, which should include a 'Repair Your Computer' option.

If none of that works, endeavor these steps:

i. Download Microsoft'south Media Cosmos tool which will create a bootable USB flash drive with Windows x on it. You may demand to use a working computer to do this if yours won't boot into Windows. Keep this drive safe for futurity reinstalls, besides. You can too use the drive for upgrading an existing Windows installation but by running Setup.exe from the drive when running Windows seven or eight.

ii. Boot the not-working PC from your USB flash drive. Merely before you do, ensure you've backed up everything, equally the process will wipe your C: drive. If you haven't backed up any files, you may have to remove the hard bulldoze and connect it to a working PC in order to copy them off.

3. If the PC won't boot from the USB drive, enter the BIOS by pressing Delete, F2 (or the key shown on the kick-upward screen) and then look for 'kick' or 'startup' options where you tin can select a removable USB drive every bit the first kicking device.

four. When the PC has successfully booted from your USB flash drive, you'll see a Windows logo and then a screen like the one below where you cull your language. But follow the instructions and but brand sure you lot choose the correct hard drive and partition on which to install Windows. If it's a new drive, it will exist blank, so you choose the only option available: the large unallocated space.

How to reinstall Windows 10

4. Once the installation starts, your PC will reboot. You lot'll encounter a Windows logo and a large circular progress indicator. Proceed an eye on the install equally it will reboot your calculator several times and may inquire you lot to remove the DVD or flash drive.

How to reinstall Windows 10