HOW TO INSTALL WINDOWS 10: Clean install or Upgrade

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HOW TO INSTALL WINDOWS 10: Clean install or Upgrade

Basically, there are two options available for you to install Windows 10. The first option is through Windows Update or by downloading the ISO file and installing Windows 10 manually. The second option is through clean installing Windows 10 and starting afresh, either on a new hard drive or an old one.
Upgrading is different from a clean install i.e. upgrading keeps all you files, documents, settings and most of the apps from your previous version of Windows. On the other hand, clean install start afresh with Windows 10 that transfer your document and files from back, and install apps manually.

1^st Option: Upgrade

You can simply upgrade your PC through Windows Update. Or, you can download Windows 10 manually by using Microsoft’s Media Creation tool. The Windows Update process is somewhat similar to the regular Windows Update.You won’t have to do much in the process except allow the upgrade to take place. To do so, you need to go to the Control Panel and open Windows Updates. Since even Windows 7 drivers are compatible with the new OS, your docs and settings will be preserved and everything should work fine.

While upgrading the OS, the wizard will check to make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements. If it does, then it will show ‘Ready to install’ screen. In case it does not meet the requirements, you may see a ‘What needs your attention’ screen that explains the reason why Windows 10 can’t be installed and what needs to be done.

When the new OS is installed through Windows Update, you may find Windows.old folder containing your old OS. You can remove this (if you want) with the help of Windows Cleanup tool. The tool will automatically remove the old OS after a month.

Note:- Do not turn off your PC until the process is complete.

2^nd Option: Clean Install

This option is for those who prefer to start fresh and ditch years of unwanted files and documents that has accumulated on their PC or laptop. You can download Microsoft’s Media Creation tool that will create a bootable USB flash drive with Windows 10 on it. You can hold onto this in case you may require reinstalling again.

Restart your computer with the USB drive or DVD inserted and then boot from that device. The process may require you to change a setting in the BIOS. Access a boot menu or use the ‘Use a device’ option in the advanced startup options on a modern Windows 8 or 10 device that has UEFI firmware (instead of the traditional BIOS). Once the Windows installer starts, select ‘Install Now’.

In the next step, you’ll see the activation screen. It will depend on your situation: if you have never installed and activated Windows 10 on your PC before, then you’ll see the activation screen. Here you need to enter your Windows 10 key (If you don’t have one, you can enter your valid 7, 8 or 8.1 key instead). And if you have installed and activate Windows 10 on your PC before then you simply have to click ‘I don’t have a product key’. This will automatically activate Windows once it’s installed.

Follow the steps carefully from the below steps.

Normally, go through the setup process until ‘Which type of installation do you want?’ screen pops up. Select the ‘Custom’ option to make sure you are performing a clean install and not an upgrade install.

You can partition your system drive as per your preference.

Click on “Format” to erase all the previous data in your drive. Click on “Next” to proceed.

Now your windows will start to install files. It will take few minutes to install. Do not plug in or off your device during the process to avoid losing data and may also lead you to begin the process all over again.

After this process, your PC will restart and user information will be asked in further process. Give PC name and set recommended settings. After these process windows 10 be installed.

To ensure that it has activated correctly, open the Start menu and click on settings and then click the Update & Security button. Go to the ‘Activation’ tab. Verify that you see ‘Windows is activated’ here.