Microsoft might have described Windows 10 as 'the final version of Windows' when it first launched, only that'south not turned out to be the example.

After plans for a spin-off in Windows 10X were cancelled, Microsoft decided that 2021 was the time for a truthful successor. Predictably, it's known equally Windows 11, although the changes introduced certainly aren't for anybody. The redesigned taskbar and Showtime menu take proven controversial, while new multitasking functionality and Widgets console take some getting used to.

But under the surface, not a huge amount has changed. Unless you value native Android app support via the Amazon Appstore, you may have decided to stick with Windows x. After all, information technology will continue to be supported until October 2025.

Yet, these are your only two realistic choices in 2022. Windows 8 doesn't technically reached terminate of life in January 2023, just we wouldn't recommend anyone uses the outdated Os. The same tin can be said of Windows 7, which has been officially unsafe to utilize for more two years.

At this point, most people will be taking advantage of the free upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Installing it is a relatively simple process, but so is reinstalling Windows 10. That's the focus of this article, every bit Microsoft has provided several different methods.

What to know earlier you start

There'southward even one which can install the operating system fresh, without tampering with your files or some settings preferences. It as well means you'll automatically be updated to the latest version of Windows x, which is good news if yous're a bit backside on software updates.

Every bit with then many installation tutorials, the speed of this process will depend on the hardware you're working with. An SSD will be much faster than a mechanical hard drive for reinstalling Windows 10. Considering yous'll be downloading new software, it will also take a long time if you're net connection is deadening. Read our tips on how to speed up your internet if you think this might be an consequence.

Merely don't expect to utilize the device for a while later on the reinstall procedure begins - your PC is likely to be out of action for up to 2 hours.

Alarm: Before you reinstall Windows using the procedure below, you should also back up all your files, music, photos, videos, save games and web bookmarks. Although these will all be kept, information technology's too nifty a risk not to make a backup of any documents that you cannot replace.

You may already have a backup of those, simply since all your apps will be removed, you should as well:

  • Deregister any apps which volition need to exist activated again afterward you reinstall them (such equally older versions of Photoshop)
  • Research how to back up progress in your games then you don't accept to start fresh
  • Salvage web bookmarks (or sign into Chrome or Firefox and so they are saved to the cloud)
  • Look for any activation keys you might demand to reinstall apps once Windows is reinstalled
  • Download and salvage drivers for your network adapter (either Ethernet or Wi-Fi) to ensure you lot can get reconnected to the internet

Link your Windows x product key with your Microsoft business relationship

In that location'due south one more task before y'all start. If you haven't done and then already, yous should link your Windows 10 product key with your Microsoft account. If yous don't do this, Windows ten might not be able to re-actuate afterward you reinstall it. But Windows 10 doesn't necessarily have a production fundamental and if you previously upgraded from Windows 7 or 8, you certainly won't have one.

Whether you have a Windows x product key or not, head 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 set that, go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info. Click "Sign in with a Microsoft account" and follow the prompts. Once done, yous tin can check under Activation and you should now run across that the message reads"Windows is activated with a digital licence associated with your Microsoft account".

However, this only applies to personal accounts - yous may all the same see the "Windows is activated with a digital licence" bulletin if your employer manages your PC. Don't worry, you'll notwithstanding be able to activate Windows 10 again afterward y'all reinstall.

How to reinstall Windows 10

Provided your computer can boot into Windows 10, open up the Settings app (the cog icon towards the bottom-left of the Commencement menu), then click on Update & Security. Click on Recovery, then 'Become started' under 'Reset this PC'.

Reinstall Windows 10

From the pop-up that appears, click 'Go along my files'.

Reinstall Windows 10

On the next screen, cull whether you'd like to download and re-install Windows ten from the deject, or based on existing files from your device. The old will consume a lot more information, merely local installs typically accept longer.

Reinstall Windows 10

From the following screen, select 'Change settings'.

Reinstall Windows 10

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

Reinstall Windows 10

You'll at present be returned to the previous screen, just this time the kickoff bullet point volition read 'Practice non restore apps and settings that came with this PC'. If that's the case, click 'Adjacent'.

Reinstall Windows 10

Afterward a few seconds, you'll see a summary of the reset you lot're about to perform. If you're happy with this, click 'Reset' to brainstorm the process.

Reinstall Windows 10

After 20-twoscore minutes, Windows will be reinstalled and yous'll run across the login screen. Over again, follow the prompts every bit for a new PC to choose your region, linguistic communication, keyboard layout, password and the other data that Windows 10 needs before y'all are taken to your fresh desktop.

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

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

How to reinstall Windows

If there are no Wi-Fi networks in the list and a bulletin saying in that location are no connections bachelor, either wait and see if Windows manages to install network drivers automatically, or install them manually (provided you downloaded them as advised earlier).

One time you lot have a working internet connection, go out Windows to do its thing for at least half an hour. Then check Device Manager (right-click the Windows icon at the bottom-left of the desktop to see information technology in the card). If all is well, in that location will be no yellow exclamation marks side by side to any devices. Here, y'all can encounter 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 upward the backdrop. Click Update Commuter in the window that opens and direct it to the drivers you downloaded earlier - you may accept to unzip the files if the download had a .goose egg file extension. And to do that just double-click on the downloaded file and choose where to extract the contents.

What if I can't admission Settings?

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

First, turn on your computer and look for any messages which appear before the Windows logo. Some laptops and PCs come up with a 'hidden' hard bulldoze on which is a full backup of Windows. Typically at that place will be a message such as "Press F10 for restore options". Each PC is unlike, only you may find an pick to reset the PC to manufacturing plant settings. What this does is to delete everything on the hard drive and copy the hidden version of Windows back on to the hard drive and then your computer volition be exactly the aforementioned as the twenty-four hours it left the mill.

You can also attempt pressing the F8 key to access the advanced boot options bill of fare, which should include a 'Repair Your Computer' selection.

If none of that works, effort these steps:

1. Download Microsoft'south Media Creation tool which volition create a bootable USB flash drive with Windows 10 on it. You may need to use a working computer to practice this if yours won't boot into Windows. Proceed this drive prophylactic for future reinstalls, too. Yous can also utilize the drive for upgrading an existing Windows installation but by running Setup.exe from the drive when running Windows seven or eight.

2. Boot the non-working PC from your USB flash drive. But earlier you lot exercise, ensure you've backed up everything, as the process will wipe your C: bulldoze. If y'all haven't backed upward any files, you may have to remove the difficult drive and connect it to a working PC in guild to copy them off.

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

four. When the PC has successfully booted from your USB wink drive, you'll encounter a Windows logo and and so a screen like the one below where y'all choose your linguistic communication. Simply follow the instructions and but make sure y'all choose the right hard drive and partition on which to install Windows. If it's a new bulldoze, it volition be blank, so you cull the but option bachelor: the large unallocated space.

How to reinstall Windows 10

four. Once the installation starts, your PC will reboot. Yous'll see a Windows logo and a large circular progress indicator. Keep an eye on the install every bit it will reboot your computer several times and may enquire y'all to remove the DVD or wink drive.

How to reinstall Windows 10