[Article] How to: Perform a clean install using Reset this PC in Windows 10

Question

📌 Note: This article was originally created by Andre da Costa on Answers Support Community. It provided meaningful insights and proved helpful to many. We're recreating it here on their behalf to preserve its value and ensure continued access for others.

Technical Level : Basic

Summary

If you have been running Windows 10 for a while and you would like perform clean or you plan to recycle a PC (giveaway to a friend, charity or resell), you should use the Reset this PC function. Previously we looked at using the Recovery Drive function which provides the same functions but it is intended more for situations where your PC might not be functioning or if you want to reinstall Windows 10 on a new hard disk. If your Windows 10 PC is working just fine, the Reset this PC function is all that you need in most cases. In this article we take a look at using it to perform a clean install.

Details

Note: No product key is required when using the Recovery Drive to reinstall Windows 11 or Windows 10. Once the recovery drive is created on a computer that is already activated, everything should be ok.

To find out your Activation Status: Click Start > Settings > Update & security > Activation

In Windows 11, open Settings > System > About > Activation

Reset Windows 11

Click Start > Settings > System > Reset PC

Reset this PC offers users a couple options for performing a clean install. You can save your files or remove everything. Choose the option that most suits you. If you are giving away your PC, it is recommended you choose Remove everything.

Reset this PC offers two reinstall methods. If you would like the latest, most update version of Windows 11, Cloud download will provide that. If you would like to reinstall the version/build of Windows 11 that came with your PC or that is currently installed, then you can choose the Local reinstall option. If bandwidth is an issue, I would also stick with the local install.

Confirm your options selected before beginning the reinstall. When you are ready, click Next to begin.

If you recently upgraded from a previous version of Windows, the option to Rollback will no longer be available.

Click Reset to begin the reinstall process.

This is gonna be your screen for a while.

After restarting, Windows 11 will continue the reset process:

Proceed to sign in

Windows 11 will go through the Out of Box Experience wizard, see steps how to complete that.

After completing Reset this PC, you should now have a clean installation of Windows 11.

Reset Windows 10

Click Start > Settings (or press Windows key + i) > click Update & security

Click Recovery then click Get Started under Reset this PC

Since we are performing a clean install, I will be selecting the option Remove everything, if you don't want to do that, you can click Keep my files

Reset offers two types of clean installs:

Just remove my files - this option is quicker and recommended if you just want a fresh start and you plan to keep the computer.

Remove files and clean the drive - if you plan to giveaway or resell your computer, this option ensures the computer is cleaned properly. Its takes a bit longer, but it is recommended if you plan to no longer use this computer.

Since I will be using this computer, I will choose the first option.

Click Reset to begin

Windows 10 will restart

Preparing to perform a reset

Resetting - this might take some time depending on the amount of data

Windows will check the drive for errors and fix them.

Windows 10 performs a clean install again

Out of Box Experience (OOBE)

The Out of Box Experience assist with personlizing your Windows experience such as creating a user account, connect to a wireless network and adjust privacy settings.

Choose your country, language, keyboard layout and time zone then click Next

Read and accept the End User License Agreement

If you want to customize your privacy settings, you can do so now. Please note, you can always do this after setup (Start > Settings > Privacy). For now, lets use Use Express settings

Wait while Windows 10 restarts

Don't be alarmed, this is just temporary

Setup your username, password and a hint then click Next

This too shall pass

There you have it, a clean installation of Windows