How to Reinstall Windows 10

How to Reinstall Windows 10

/ Shayne Sherman

Why Would I Need to Reinstall Windows 10?

We all know that with time, our operating systems need to be cleaned up and reinstalled to work faster and smoother. Windows is no exception to this rule, and many users need to reinstall Windows 10 from time to time. But why is this the case?

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Somebody might need to reinstall Windows 10 on their operating system for a few reasons.

  • One reason might be that the system has become bogged down with unnecessary files and programs and needs a fresh start.
  • If your computer is experiencing errors or is not running as quickly as it used to, a reinstall could help clear up these issues.
  • Upgrading to a new version of Windows 10 will likely need reinstalling the old version to ensure everything transfers over correctly.

No matter why you decide to reinstall Windows 10, you must back up your data first. This way, you won’t lose any important files or documents. Once you’ve backed everything up, you can follow these steps to reinstall Windows 10:

Reinstall windows 10

Due to severe system or software-linked errors in the device, sometimes, the only life-saving option left for you is to reinstall windows 10. Reinstalling windows means cleaning the device and getting a new operating system version free from all errors. In this context, all personal files and important data are backed up in external USB devices or hard drives or saved as system image backups created via a third-party application. Once data is removed from the device, the next step is installing Windows 10 from scratch. Here is how you can do it.

Step 1: Start the process by downloading windows 10 from an authorized Microsoft support website. Browse Microsoft support, select windows 10, and select the option of download tool now.

windows installation media download

Step 2: Click open the download link and accept all the permissions to continue.

Step 3: In the following dialogue, click the option of create installation media for another PC and select next to continue.

Step 4: Choose the ISO file and click next to proceed.

select iso file

Step 5: End the wizard action by clicking finish to continue the installation procedure.

Step 6: Open the downloaded windows ISO file and click on the setup option. Click Next to continue.

Step 7: In the following dialogue box, click accept and wait for the installation process to complete, as it may take a bit of a while.

language architecture edition selection

Step 8: As the setup completes, click install and wait for the system files and folders to install.

install now windows 10

Step 9: As soon as the installation completes, your device will restart, and you will be done with the installation of windows 10 from scratch. Once installed, the next step is to restore apps, settings, and files on the device.

(i) Restore Apps

After reinstallation of windows 10, you need all your devices’ working apps. So here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: In the browser, launch the Microsoft store and add your credentials to get into your account.

windows store apps

Step 2: In the account settings menu, select my library option followed by the option of show all.

filter apps list

Step 3: In the next window, a list of all previously used apps will display with a download button in front of each app. Click on download for every app and let it install on the device.

(ii) Restore Files and Folders

Once all apps are restored, it’s time to get all data back to your device after reinstalling windows 10. It could be done via the file history feature of windows 10. Attach the backup device to your current device and follow the steps to restore backed-up files and folders.

Step 1: Attach the backup device to your device.

Step 2: Launch settings by right-clicking the windows icon and selecting the option of settings from the list.

Step 3: Click the update and security option in the settings menu.

windows update and security

Step 4: Select the backup option from the left pane in the next window. Now add the backup device to the list and select it.

more options in backup

Step 5: Click the device to select more options, followed by selecting the option of restoring files from a current backup.

recover data after reinstalling windows

Reinstall Windows 10 While Keeping Files

If you are trying to reinstall windows 10 without any key or crack model, then windows 10 comes with a feature of reset this PC. This feature will help you back up your data and allow the device to install windows. Here is how you can act.

Step 1: Launch settings with shortcut keys, i.e., windows key+ I. In the settings menu, select the option of update and security.

Step 2: Select the recovery option from the left pane in the next window.

get started option

Step 3: In the recovery section, under the option of resetting this PC, click the option of get started.

Step 4: In the next step, choose the option keep my files followed by clicking next in the wizard.

keep my files

Step 5: Under the section ready to reset this PC, click reset to complete the action.

confirm pc reset

Reinstall Windows 10 without CD or USB: Directly from ISO File

Windows 10 can be installed without using any CD or USB drive. ISO file is the tool that can be utilized for installing windows 10 on the device. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: From the official site of Microsoft, download the media creation tool. Once downloaded, select the option of Create installation media for another PC.

create installation media

Step 2: In the following wizard, select the preferred language, edition of windows, and architecture. Now mount the ISO file.

Step 3: Locate the ISO file and right-click it to select properties from the context menu. In the properties window, navigate to the general tab and click the change option.

Step 4: In the next step, click the option of windows explorer to launch the ISO file and click ok to continue.

Step 5: Right-click the ISO file to select the mount option from the context menu. In the next step, click on the option of setup.exe, which will start the windows setup. Click accept to continue the wizard.

keep personal files

Step 6: Once given all permissions, click on the option of Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings. Click install to complete the action.

Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Data

There are a few ways to reinstall Windows 10 without losing data. One way is to create a recovery drive or USB drive with the Windows 10 installation files. Then, you can use that drive to reinstall Windows 10.

You can also create a system image of your current Windows 10 installation. This will create a backup of your entire system that you can use to restore your computer if something goes wrong. You can also use a third-party software program like Clonezilla to clone your current hard drive to another hard drive. This will copy your data and settings to the new hard drive.

What does Windows 10 Offer?

Windows 10 comes packed with many new features, including the return of the Start Menu, a new web browser called Microsoft Edge, improved security, and the ability to run Windows 10 on devices with as little as 512MB of RAM.

The Start Menu has been redesigned and now includes live tiles that update in real-time with information from your apps. You can also resize the Start Menu, pin your favorite apps, and create groups of related apps.

Microsoft Edge is a new web browser that replaces Internet Explorer. It’s faster, more secure, and supports extensions. Extensions are like small programs that add extra functionality to Microsoft Edge. For example, you can install an extension to save articles for offline reading or block website ads.

Windows 10 is also more secure than previous versions of Windows. It includes features like Windows Hello, which lets you sign in to your PC using a fingerprint or facial recognition, and Device Guard, which helps protect your PC from malware and other attacks.

Also, Windows 10 can now be run on devices with as little as 512MB of RAM. This makes it an excellent choice for low-cost laptops and tablets.

Keep Your Operating System and Windows Updated

always update windows os

The importance of keeping your operating system and Windows updated regularly is crucial. Updates usually contain bug fixes and security patches to help prevent problems and protect your computer from unauthorized access. Second, installing the latest updates will make the process much easier and faster if you have to reinstall your operating system or Windows.

Reinstalling your operating system or Windows can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. Updating your software regularly can help to minimize the chances of having to do this in the future. Ensuring that your software is up-to-date can avoid many common problems and keep your computer running smoothly.

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Frequently Asked Questions About How to Reinstall Windows 10

How do I Use a USB Flash Drive to Reinstall Windows 10?

A USB flash drive is a small storage device plugged into your computer’s USB port. To use a USB flash drive to reinstall Windows 10, you’ll need to create a bootable USB flash drive. The USB flash drive will contain all the necessary files to install Windows 10 on your computer.

How do I Re-access My Microsoft Account?

You must use your email address and password to re-access your Microsoft account. If you have forgotten your password, you can use the “Forgot Password?” link on the login page to reset it.

Will I Lose Previously Installed Apps if I Reinstall Windows 10?

If you reinstall Windows 10, you will not lose any previously installed apps. However, any files stored in the C:\Program Files (x86) or C:\Program Files folders will be deleted.

What does a Windows Media Creation Tool do?

Windows Media Creation Tool can create a bootable USB drive or DVD from an ISO file of the Windows 10 operating system. The tool can also be used to upgrade an existing installation of Windows 10 to a newer version of the operating system.

Am I Losing Data Files if I Reinstall Windows 10?

If you reinstall Windows 10, you will not lose your data files. However, if you upgrade to Windows 10 from a previous version of Windows, you may lose your data files.

How do I Perform a Clean Install for Reinstalling Windows 10?

You will need to create installation media to perform a clean install for reinstalling Windows 10. This can be done by downloading Microsoft’s Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. Once you have the tool, open it and select the option to create installation media for another PC. Select the language, edition, and architecture of Windows 10 that you want, then click Next. On the next screen, select USB flash drive as your media type and click Next. The tool will download the necessary files and create a bootable USB flash drive.

Why Should I Restore Windows 10?

The main benefits of restoring Windows 10 are that you would return all your previous files and folders and any programs installed. Your computer’s settings and preferences will be restored to how they were before the restore. You would also get a fresh start with a new installation of Windows 10, which could potentially improve your computer’s performance.

What is a Windows Recovery Environment?

A Windows Recovery Environment is used for system restoration and repairing corrupted files, and it can also be used to reinstall the operating system.

How Much Storage Space do I Need to Install Windows 10?

A Windows Recovery Environment is used for system restoration and repairing corrupted files, and it can also be used to reinstall the operating system.

How do I Use a Recovery Drive for Reinstalling Windows 10?

A recovery drive can be used to reinstall Windows 10. To do this, you must create the recovery drive on a separate computer and then copy it to the computer you want to reinstall Windows 10.

What is an Installation CD?

An installation disk is a disk that helps you install a program or operating system on your computer. It contains all the files needed to install the software and walks you through the process.

How Long Does a Windows Installation Take?

The time it takes to install Windows depends on several factors, including the performance of your computer and the speed of your Internet connection. The installation process will generally take about 30 minutes, but it could be longer or shorter, depending on your system.

Shayne Sherman
Meet the author

Shayne is an expert on all things Microsoft Windows and computer security. As a Windows user of over 30 years, he has been featured on Business Insider, Yahoo, Tech Republic, Hacker Noon, Techopedia, and many other publications. Aside from entertaining at his home theater, he enjoys spending time with his family, including his English bulldog, Fergie.