Windows 10 no longer working properly? Did a Windows 10 repair but nothing changed? Therefore, reinstalling Windows 10 is definitely the ideal solution to get back on track and find a new computer.
If you have problems with your computer or just want to start over, the best way to do this is to restore it to its factory state.
Useful for starting over and regaining a computer as fast as the early days, recovery wipes everything. Consider backing up your important data to an external hard drive or USB flash drive before starting this procedure.
If Windows starts
1. Click on the start menu at the bottom left of your screen.
2. Select Settings and then Update & Security.
3. On this tab, select Recovery and click Get Started under Restore this PC.
4. You will be asked if you want to delete or keep the files; for a full reset you choose to wipe everything.
5. Finally, you will be asked if you want to restore all drives or just the drive where Windows is installed, select all drives.
6. Last request, just delete the files or wipe the disk completely. Select the option to delete files only.
7. Once you're sure you're connected, click Reset.
If Windows does not start
Each manufacturer provides a keyboard shortcut or a dedicated key to start in rescue mode, on HP it is for example the F11 key, on a Lenovo laptop you have to press the OneKey key, etc.
1. Start with this key and once at the rescue screen select Troubleshoot
2. Click Reset this PC
3. There may be two options: Erase everything or Restore factory settings, prefer the second option if available.
4. Then select all drives (if available) and then Just delete files.
5. Once you've made sure you're connected, click Reset.
After the reset is complete, you will be prompted to set up your entire computer again.
Note: If you have upgraded from Windows 7/8.1 to Windows 10 and want to restore your computer to factory settings, the downgrade function will no longer be possible.
Method 2
In this method, we will do a fresh install of Windows 10 using the then "old fashioned" Windows installer!
You will have the option to keep files from your current installation of Windows 10. They will then be stored for 30 days in a C:\Windows.old folder.
Step 1 – Start the Windows 10 installer
First step, start the installer:
1. Create a Windows 10 installation USB drive.
2. Boot your computer from the Windows 10 installation USB to enter the Windows 10 installer.
3. Verify regional and language options.
4. Click the Install Now button.
5. You will be taken to the Windows 10 product key login screen:
If you upgraded from Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10 for free, you don't have a product key, but a digital license for Windows 10. When the installation is complete, Windows is automatically activated by receiving your license from Microsoft's servers.
If you purchased a commercial license for Windows 10, enter the product key. The installer will automatically detect your version of Windows 10 from your product key.
If you have a computer that came with Windows 10 pre-installed, you won't see this screen. Your computer has an OEM license for Windows 10 thanks to an SLP key stored in the motherboard's UEFI firmware, which is automatically read by the Windows 10 installer.
6. If you clicked I don't have a product key, select the version of Windows 10 you want to install. Make sure you select the version of Windows 10 currently installed on your computer. If you need help: Identify the version of Windows 10 installed on your computer.
7. Accept the terms of the license agreement.
8. Click Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
9. The Windows 10 installer shows all partitions on all drives on your computer.
10. Continue according to your preferences:
Option #1: I will reinstall Windows 10 by converging the files from my current Windows installation