{"id":237820,"date":"2025-06-03T16:40:41","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T16:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/?p=237820"},"modified":"2025-06-03T16:40:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T16:40:43","slug":"how-to-clean-install-windows-10-a-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-install-windows-10-a-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Clean Install Windows 10: A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clean install refers to the process of installing Windows in a clean, blank state. This means removing all of the previous data and installed apps, and starting over with the new Windows operating system. Clean installation is different from a system upgrade where you can still retain your data in the new operating system version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are some cases where you need to do a clean installation, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>System performance issues that can\u2019t be fixed with regular methods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your computer system is under attack by computer viruses and malware<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You\u2019re selling your computer and you need to <a href=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/feature_file_wiper\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wipe out<\/a> all of your data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bear in mind that clean install Windows 10 is a last resort and you can&#8217;t opt to save some of the data in your computer. If you want to fix system issues on your computer, while still having the option to retain your data, you should consider doing <a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/reset-your-pc-0ef73740-b927-549b-b7c9-e6f2b48d275e\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/reset-your-pc-0ef73740-b927-549b-b7c9-e6f2b48d275e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Reset your PC<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we&#8217;ll discuss a preparation checklist, a guide on how to perform a clean install on Windows 10, and what to do after a clean installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#what-to-do-before-clean-installing-windows-10\">What to do before clean installing Windows 10<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#pre-clean-install-to-do-list\">Pre-clean install to-do list<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#create-windows-10-media-creation-tool\">Create Windows 10 Media Creation Tool<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-to-do-clean-install-windows-10\">How to do Clean Install Windows 10<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-to-do-after-clean-install-windows-10\">What to do after clean install Windows 10<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-to-do-before-clean-installing-windows-10\">What to do before clean installing Windows 10<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pre-clean-install-to-do-list\">Pre-clean install to-do list<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before doing a clean install of Windows 11, you need to make sure the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensure that your computer meets the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/windows-10-specifications#areaheading-uid09f4\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/windows-10-specifications#areaheading-uid09f4\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">minimum standard requirements to run Windows 10<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Backup your important data, preferably using a 3-2-1 backup strategy. This basically means that you need to create three data copies on two types of storage (such as using a USB flash drive and cloud storage service) in at least one off-site location.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a stable internet connection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have admin access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a bootable USB drive that contains a <a href=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-windows-media-creation-tool\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-windows-media-creation-tool\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Windows media creation tool<\/a>. The USB drive should have at least 8GB of storage and is preferably a blank USB drive because any data that remains in the drive will be deleted during the creation process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure that you select the same language you chose for your current system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take note of the current Windows 10 installed on your computer. You can do this by going to the Settings menu > select System > select About. You should find your Windows 10 edition under the Windows specifications menu. Once you find it, make sure that the Windows edition you\u2019re going to clean install matches your old edition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"create-windows-10-media-creation-tool\">Create Windows 10 Media Creation Tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creating an installation media using the Windows Media Creation tool is an important step in the clean installation process. Here\u2019s how you can do it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Download the Windows 10 media creation tool from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/software-download\/windows10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">its official website<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Once it\u2019s done, you can run the Media Creation Tool file.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read through the Microsoft Software License Terms and if it looks good for you, click the \u201cAccept\u201d button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"474\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Accept-License-Agreement.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237821\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Accept-License-Agreement.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Accept-License-Agreement-300x237.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the new screen, select &#8220;Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC > click &#8220;Next&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"474\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Create-installation-media.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Create-installation-media.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Create-installation-media-300x237.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select the language and edition of Windows 10 > click the \u201cNext\u201d button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"474\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-language-and-edition.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-language-and-edition.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-language-and-edition-300x237.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select which external drive you want to choose as an installation media. You can use a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB storage or an ISO file (you\u2019ll need to burn the ISO file to a DVD later) > click the \u201cNext\u201d button. Bear in mind that if you opt for a blank USB flash drive, the device will be formatted and all of the data inside will be deleted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"474\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Choose-media-to-use.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237824\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Choose-media-to-use.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Choose-media-to-use-300x237.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose the target drive from the list and click the \u201cNext\u201d button. Then wait for the media creation download process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"474\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-USB-Flash-Drive.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237825\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-USB-Flash-Drive.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-USB-Flash-Drive-300x237.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Once it\u2019s done, click the \u201cFinish\u201d button. Now you have a bootable installation media.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-do-clean-install-windows-10\">How to do Clean Install Windows 10<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how you can do a clean install of Windows 10:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Plug in the external drive where you saved the Media Creation Tool. This could be a bootable USB drive from the previous step, for example.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Restart your computer. Your computer should automatically boot the USB drive, if this isn&#8217;t the case, please <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/software-download\/windows10\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/software-download\/windows10\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">consult this page for troubleshooting info<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You\u2019ll be redirected to the Windows Setup page where you can choose the language, time and currency format, and keyboard settings. Once you\u2019re done, click the \u201cNext\u201d button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"446\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-language-time-currency-and-keyboard-settings.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237826\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-language-time-currency-and-keyboard-settings.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-language-time-currency-and-keyboard-settings-300x223.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the new screen, click the &#8220;Install now&#8221; button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"447\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-Install-now.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237827\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-Install-now.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-Install-now-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you\u2019re reinstalling the same edition of Windows, select the \u201cI don\u2019t have a product key\u201d option. This will automatically activate the copy of your Windows once you reconnect your Microsoft account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-I-dont-have-a-product-key.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237828\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-I-dont-have-a-product-key.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-I-dont-have-a-product-key-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose the Windows edition you got from the previous pre-install checklist > click the \u201cNext\u201d button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"449\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-Windows-edition.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237829\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-Windows-edition.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-Windows-edition-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Read through the Microsoft Software License Terms and if it looks good for you, tick the &#8220;I accept the license terms&#8221; box and click &#8220;Next&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Agree-to-license-terms.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237830\" style=\"width:600px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Agree-to-license-terms.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Agree-to-license-terms-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You&#8217;ll be asked about the type of installation you want to do. Select the &#8220;Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)&#8221; option to proceed with the clean installation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-custom-install.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237831\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-custom-install.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-custom-install-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose the partition drive where you want to clean install Windows 10 then select the \u201cNext\u201d button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"449\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-partition-drive.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237832\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-partition-drive.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-partition-drive-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wait for the clean install process to complete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"451\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Wait-for-the-installation-process.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237833\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Wait-for-the-installation-process.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Wait-for-the-installation-process-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When the Windows installation process is done, your computer will restart. Wait until it fully boots.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After reboot, a new screen will appear. Select the region and click &#8220;Yes&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-region.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-region.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-region-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select your keyboard layout and click &#8220;Yes&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-keyboard-layout.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237835\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-keyboard-layout.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-keyboard-layout-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Add a second keyboard layout if needed in the next step, otherwise, you can click &#8220;Skip&#8221;.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose how you want to set up your computer and then click the &#8220;Next&#8221; button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-the-set-up.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-the-set-up.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-the-set-up-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sign in to your Microsoft account and then click &#8220;Next&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"446\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sign-in-to-Microsoft-account.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sign-in-to-Microsoft-account.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sign-in-to-Microsoft-account-300x223.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create a PIN by clicking the \u201cCreate PIN\u201d button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"447\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Create-PIN.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Create-PIN.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Create-PIN-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether you want to import your browsing history from Microsoft Edge. Once you select an option, click the &#8220;Next&#8221; button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"447\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-browser-history-import.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237839\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-browser-history-import.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-browser-history-import-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether you want to allow Microsoft to access your location or not, then click &#8220;Accept&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"447\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-Microsofts-access-to-location.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237840\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-Microsofts-access-to-location.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-Microsofts-access-to-location-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether you want to activate the &#8220;Find my device&#8221; feature, and then click &#8220;Accept&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-find-my-device-activation.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237841\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-find-my-device-activation.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-find-my-device-activation-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether you want to send diagnostic data to Microsoft and then click the &#8220;Accept&#8221; button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-send-diagnostic-data.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237842\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-send-diagnostic-data.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-send-diagnostic-data-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether you want to send optional inking and typing diagnostic data to Microsoft, then click &#8220;Accept&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-inking-and-typing-diagnostic.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-inking-and-typing-diagnostic.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-inking-and-typing-diagnostic-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether you want to have tailored experiences with diagnostic data, then click &#8220;Accept&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Choose-tailored-experiences.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Choose-tailored-experiences.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Choose-tailored-experiences-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether you want to let apps use advertising ID then click &#8220;Accept&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"447\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Choose-advertising-ID-usage.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237845\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Choose-advertising-ID-usage.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Choose-advertising-ID-usage-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether you want Microsoft to customize your experience. You can either hit the &#8220;Skip&#8221; button or choose one option and then click &#8220;Accept&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-customize-your-experience.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237846\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-customize-your-experience.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-customize-your-experience-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether you want to link your mobile device with your computer. If you do, click the \u201cRemind me later\u201d button, otherwise select \u201cNo, thanks\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"446\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-connect-Android-phone-to-Windows.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237847\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-connect-Android-phone-to-Windows.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-connect-Android-phone-to-Windows-300x223.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether you want to back up your files on OneDrive and then hit &#8220;Next&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"447\" data-lity src=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-back-up-your-files-in-OneDrive.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-back-up-your-files-in-OneDrive.png 600w, https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Select-back-up-your-files-in-OneDrive-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lastly, you\u2019ll be given information about Microsoft 365. You can accept the offer or ignore the message.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your computer will wrap up the clean reinstall process, wait until it&#8217;s finished.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-to-do-after-clean-install-windows-10\">What to do after clean install Windows 10<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After clean installation, you need to do the following to ensure your system runs in peak conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Run initial system updates and then regularly check for new updates by accessing the \u201cWindows Update\u201d menu from settings. You can also adjust how and when you want to install updates under the \u2018Advanced options\u2019 menu in Windows Update.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure that you have the latest driver updates. You can do this by <a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/automatically-get-recommended-and-updated-hardware-drivers-0549a8d9-4842-8acb-75fa-a6faadb62507\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">following the instructions in this help article<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure that Windows Security is activated. You can check this by accessing the Settings menu > Windows Security > Virus &amp; Threat Protection. You can check for current threats by clicking the \u201cQuick scan\u201d button in the virus &amp; threat protection menu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clean Install Windows 10 is an alternative you can try if you want to fix performance issues, or when you want to run Windows 10 in a fresh state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can easily perform a clean installation using a bootable USB drive which contains Windows Media Creation and the steps to do it are quite straightforward as described above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, you need to do some preparation before clean installation and perform some extra steps after installation to make sure your system runs smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you find this article useful, please consider sharing this on your social media and browse through our <a href=\"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/tag\/tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tips &amp; Tricks<\/a> section for more information to make your Windows experience better.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Clean install refers to the process of installing Windows in a clean, blank state. This means removing all of the previous data and installed apps, and starting over with the new Windows operating system. Clean installation is different from a system upgrade where you can still retain your data in the new operating system version. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":237849,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[5],"class_list":["post-237820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237820","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=237820"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237820\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":237850,"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237820\/revisions\/237850"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/237849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=237820"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=237820"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jv16powertools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=237820"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}