Microsoft might have described Windows ten equally 'the last version of Windows' when information technology outset launched, but that'south not turned out to exist the example.

Afterward plans for a spin-off in Windows 10X were cancelled, Microsoft decided that 2021 was the fourth dimension for a true successor. Predictably, it's known as Windows eleven, although the changes introduced certainly aren't for everyone. The redesigned taskbar and Kickoff menu accept proven controversial, while new multitasking functionality and Widgets panel take some getting used to.

But nether the surface, non a huge amount has changed. Unless you lot value native Android app back up via the Amazon Appstore, you may have decided to stick with Windows 10. After all, it will continue to be supported until October 2025.

However, these are your only 2 realistic choices in 2022. Windows 8 doesn't technically reached end of life in Jan 2023, but nosotros wouldn't recommend anyone uses the outdated Os. The same tin can be said of Windows vii, which has been officially unsafe to use for more than two years.

At this point, most people will be taking advantage of the gratis upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows xi. Installing it is a relatively simple process, but then is reinstalling Windows 10. That's the focus of this article, as Microsoft has provided several dissimilar methods.

What to know before you lot commencement

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

As with and then many installation tutorials, the speed of this process will depend on the hardware you're working with. An SSD volition exist much faster than a mechanical hard bulldoze for reinstalling Windows x. Considering you'll be downloading new software, it volition also take a long time if y'all're internet connexion is slow. Read our tips on how to speed upwards your internet if you think this might be an consequence.

Only don't expect to use the device for a while afterward the reinstall procedure begins - your PC is likely to be out of action for up to ii hours.

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

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

  • Deregister any apps which will need to exist activated again after you lot reinstall them (such every bit older versions of Photoshop)
  • Research how to back upwardly progress in your games and then yous don't have to start fresh
  • Salvage spider web bookmarks (or sign into Chrome or Firefox and so they are saved to the cloud)
  • Look for any activation keys you 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 become reconnected to the net

Link your Windows x production primal with your Microsoft account

There's ane more job before you start. If yous oasis't washed so already, y'all 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-actuate afterward you lot reinstall it. Just Windows x doesn't necessarily take a production cardinal and if yous previously upgraded from Windows 7 or 8, you certainly won't accept ane.

Whether you have a Windows x product cardinal or not, head to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. If the status says "Windows is activated with a digital licence" but says no more, and then it isn't linked to your Microsoft business relationship.

How to reinstall Windows

To ready that, go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info. Click "Sign in with a Microsoft business relationship" and follow the prompts. Once done, you can cheque under Activation and you should at present see that the message reads"Windows is activated with a digital licence associated with your Microsoft account".

All the same, this only applies to personal accounts - you may however see the "Windows is activated with a digital licence" bulletin if your employer manages your PC. Don't worry, you'll still be able to activate Windows 10 again after you lot reinstall.

How to reinstall Windows 10

Provided your figurer can kick into Windows 10, open the Settings app (the cog icon towards the bottom-left of the Start bill of fare), then click on Update & Security. Click on Recovery, then 'Get started' under 'Reset this PC'.

Reinstall Windows 10

From the pop-up 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 cloud, or based on existing files from your device. The former will consume a lot more data, but local installs typically take longer.

Reinstall Windows 10

From the following screen, select 'Modify 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 now be returned to the previous screen, but this time the starting time bullet point will read 'Practise not restore apps and settings that came with this PC'. If that's the example, click 'Side by side'.

Reinstall Windows 10

Later on a few seconds, you'll see a summary of the reset you lot're well-nigh to perform. If y'all're happy with this, click 'Reset' to begin the process.

Reinstall Windows 10

After xx-40 minutes, Windows will be reinstalled and you lot'll run into the login screen. Once more, follow the prompts as for a new PC to cull your region, language, keyboard layout, password and the other information that Windows 10 needs earlier yous are taken to your fresh desktop.

Every bit this really is a make clean installation, no drivers will be installed for your hardware. That isn't a problem with Windows 10, every bit it should be able to automatically install and configure everything automatically - so long as information technology can connect to the net.

To check, click the icon to the left of the speaker (volume) icon as shown below. The 1 below will show if you're continued via ethernet, but 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 listing and a bulletin saying there are no connections available, either wait and see if Windows manages to install network drivers automatically, or install them manually (provided you lot downloaded them equally advised earlier).

Once you have a working internet connection, go out Windows to do its affair for at to the lowest degree half an 60 minutes. And so cheque Device Manager (right-click the Windows icon at the bottom-left of the desktop to see it in the card). If all is well, there will exist no yellow exclamation marks next to any devices. Here, you 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 upward the properties. Click Update Driver in the window that opens and straight information technology to the drivers you downloaded before - you may have to unzip the files if the download had a .zip file extension. And to do that but double-click on the downloaded file and choose where to excerpt the contents.

What if I tin can't access Settings?

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

First, plow on your reckoner and look for any messages which appear before the Windows logo. Some laptops and PCs come with a 'hidden' hard drive on which is a full backup of Windows. Typically there will be a bulletin such as "Press F10 for restore options". Each PC is different, simply you may find an pick to reset the PC to factory settings. What this does is to delete everything on the hard drive and re-create the hidden version of Windows dorsum on to the difficult drive so your figurer will be exactly the same as the day it left the factory.

You can besides try pressing the F8 key to access the advanced kick options menu, which should include a 'Repair Your Computer' option.

If none of that works, endeavour these steps:

1. Download Microsoft's Media Creation tool which will create a bootable USB flash drive with Windows 10 on it. You may need to employ a working reckoner to practise this if yours won't boot into Windows. Keep this drive safe for future reinstalls, too. Y'all tin also employ the drive for upgrading an existing Windows installation just by running Setup.exe from the drive when running Windows seven or 8.

two. Boot the non-working PC from your USB flash drive. Just before you lot do, ensure you've backed up everything, as the process will wipe your C: drive. If you haven't backed upwards any files, you may have to remove the hard drive and connect it to a working PC in club to re-create them off.

3. If the PC won't boot from the USB bulldoze, enter the BIOS by pressing Delete, F2 (or the key shown on the boot-upwardly screen) then look for 'boot' or 'startup' options where yous can select a removable USB drive as the starting time boot device.

iv. When the PC has successfully booted from your USB flash drive, you'll see a Windows logo and so a screen like the one below where you cull your linguistic communication. Simply follow the instructions and but make sure you choose the correct hard drive and sectionalization on which to install Windows. If it's a new drive, it will be bare, so you lot choose the only option available: the large unallocated infinite.

How to reinstall Windows 10

4. Once the installation starts, your PC will reboot. You'll see a Windows logo and a large circular progress indicator. Continue an eye on the install every bit it will reboot your estimator several times and may ask y'all to remove the DVD or wink drive.

How to reinstall Windows 10