Installing Windows 10 from scratch. How to do it on the Anniversary Update

Experienced PC owners know that a Windows operating system installed from scratch or, in other words, "from scratch" has a number of advantages as opposed to installing on top of an old OS, for example, after an upgrade. Typically, a clean install of Windows 10 ensures that there are no errors carried over from a previously functioning axis and therefore has a better and faster performance. Obviously, power users will always opt for a clean install of Windows 10 if they want to update their computer software.

In the case when you also know, based on many years of experience, that if you do an installation from scratch on a formatted partition of the hard drive, this will eliminate a significant number of problems and the OS after such a procedure always functions more stable and faster, then the step-by-step instructions below are for you.

Application for installing "Tens" from scratch on the official developer resource

Microsoft has created a custom installation utility for installing Windows 10 from scratch. It saves the OS image to a user-selected external medium (DVD or USB). This application is always available to everyone on the page "https://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/software-download/windows10" and is distributed completely free, that is, additional financial costs from the user are not required to use it.

Note: you need to be especially careful when reading the content of the above page, because to install the system from scratch there is a separate link at the bottom of the page. You need to click on "Download the tool now", which will copy the "MediaCreatorTool.exe" application to the computer's memory, which creates a bootable media with a clean Windows 10 image.

The user action algorithm consists of the following sequential steps:

Note: in the case when you need a bootable media with the ability to install Windows 10 on different PCs, then you need to set the third parameter - "Both", but if there is no urgent need for such a disk, it is recommended to specify a specific bit depth, because otherwise the amount of memory of the external media will be required 2 times more (at least 6GB).

After filling in all three fields, you need to click "Next" again;

If you specify USB-flash, the system image will be written directly to this USB flash drive;
When specifying a DVD, the application will ask the user to show the location in the PC memory where you need to first copy the "ISO" from Windows 10. After waiting for the complete process of saving the image in the computer, then you need to burn it to a DVD disc.
Start the PC from the created disk or flash drive;
Specify the desired language, etc. Then click "Next";

Check the box for agreeing to the license;
In the next menu, specify "Custom: Windows installation only ...";
Determine the disk where the system will be installed;
When installing Windows 10 with UEFI, you must first delete all partitions and then click "Create" indicating the location for this.
Next, you need to wait until all the procedures for installing the system are completed, while the PC will sometimes restart on its own;
Then it is recommended to click "Use standard parameters" (the setting will be done later on the operating system, as practice shows, this is the most expedient option);
Further, in the case of using a PC at home, you should indicate "I own this PC", and if you need to connect to a domain network, click on the line "My organization";
Then, at the request of the user, you can create an account in Microsoft or just skip the stage, since this can be done later;
If you need to use "One Drive" - you just need to click "Next", or otherwise, click on the line "By default, save new files only on this computer";
Ready! When the system's workstation appears, the user only needs to specify the PC login mode for the local network;

Activation procedure

In this part of the instruction, you will not find illegal ways to activate the system, since it is assumed that when installing from scratch Windows 10 the user has a license or he has already installed the "Ten" on this PC, for example, through updating earlier versions and the OS already booked for that particular computer (with automatic activation).

The section "Activation" is located in the parameters. Finding it in the new version of the operating system is very easy using the search.

The function " Start over"- one of the significant features of the standard Windows Defender Security Center application, which appeared on board the Windows 10 Creators Update.

This application implements functions that directly or indirectly relate to the security of Windows, as well as decisive issues with its performance. Among the latter is the function "Start over". This feature offers an effective way to solve all possible problems in the form of a simplified procedure for reinstalling Windows while preserving some settings and data.

The Start Over feature is a better alternative to the reset mechanism that has been on board Windows since version 8.

While the latter offers to reinstall the system using the original distribution, the Start Over function will both reinstall and update Windows to its current build. This function is, in fact, a built-in mechanism for reinstalling Windows using the Refresh Windows utility.

Recall that this mechanism appeared along with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update as a solution to the issue of automatic system activation when it is reinstalled on OEM devices.

Since the release of the Anniversary Update, this mechanism has evolved: as part of the Creators Update, it can already transfer region, time zone, security, privacy settings, and even user accounts with their themes to a reinstalled Windows.

But some of the nuances have remained unchanged: in the process of a simplified reinstallation of Windows, you will have to say goodbye to the installed universal applications and desktop programs.

The key features of this simplified system reinstallation method are:

No need to create installation media;

No need to enter the BIOS to change the boot priority, moreover, even know how to do it;

Automatic Windows activation;

Saving the name of the computer, user accounts, their data in the folders of the user profile, individual system parameters;

Installing the system from the freshest distribution kit with all integrated updates.

How do I use the Start Over feature?

Open the Windows Defender Security Center application using the Start menu or the system search engine.

Go to the section of the application "Device health" and in the column "Start over" click "Additional information".

Click the "Get Started" button (administrator rights are required).

At this stage, you need to stop for those who updated the previous build or version of the system to the current Windows 10 and do not exclude the possibility of rolling back to them in the future. After reinstalling the system, you will not be able to roll back to the previous build or version of Windows, and if you decide to keep the rollback option, you will need to back up your system using a third-party program such as AOMEI Backupper before clicking Next again.

Run the reinstallation.

Preparatory work will be carried out, the computer will reboot, and the system reinstallation process will appear on a solid blue screen with a percentage display of progress.

No steps are required to set up the system and create an account. As mentioned, the region, time zone, security and privacy settings that need to be taken into account during a typical Windows installation will be carried over from the old system during a simplified reinstallation with the Start Over feature. As well as the user accounts will be transferred. The reinstallation process will be interrupted except to enter a password for password-protected accounts.

As a result, we will see the desktop of the reinstalled system and an HTML file located on it with a list of remote desktop programs.

The release of Windows 10 is a good opportunity to clean your PC of software waste and digital junk. This is best done with a clean installation of the operating system, which is a fresh copy of Windows.

However, unlike previous versions, with the "ten", the process has become much more complicated, since Microsoft would like users to switch to Windows 10 directly, by updating an already installed system. Some CHIP readers who plan to install Windows 10 via a USB drive or an installation disc, without contacting the update via the Get Windows 10 (GWX) program, have also convinced themselves of this.

But this path turned out to be problematic: until recently, Microsoft did not recognize a clean installation with keys from "old" Windows 7 and 8. In the first builds, only the key provided by the GWX utility turned into a valid license for Windows 10. And finally, the company changed your opinion.

Already the September updates to the "dozen" version 1511 allow you to upgrade computers running Windows 7 and 8.1 that meet the relevant requirements, directly from the installation media. At the same time, using a unique equipment code, it is recognized whether there is a "digital authorization" for an update for a given system.

Conditions for upgrading to Windows 10

In the basic prerequisites for getting a free copy of Windows 10, nothing fundamentally changed: for a free installation of a new system, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows 8.1 must be installed.

Windows RT, RT 8.1, and Enterprise editions are not eligible for a free upgrade. In addition, in the case of installed Windows, we are talking only about the activated options.

To check if your computer meets the requirements, go from Control Panel to System and Security | System". Scroll down to find the corresponding entry. If everything matches, you can start a clean install of Windows 10.

The OS must be original. Only users of the activated original Windows 7 or 8.1 can get the top ten for free. Despite rumors, there are no licenses for the cracked versions - not even for a clean install.

Next, we will show two installation methods, each of which has both advantages and disadvantages. Before installation, you must back up all important data to external media. No data loss was observed during our testing, but we cannot guarantee this.

The new "operating system" called Windows 10, as you know, is available on the official Microsoft resource as a means of updating an existing system to the tenth version. But the so-called "clean" installation with the initial formatting of the partitions is not provided at all. In other words, you won't be able to put the top ten on a computer or laptop just like that. Let's see what a clean install of Windows 10 after the upgrade is like, since it is the system upgrade that is the main condition from scratch.

Windows 10 installation options

Before proceeding with the technical issue of installing this OS, you should consider the installation options. In this case, it is believed that the "top ten" can be installed after updating Windows versions 7 and 8 (meaning the update packages for the systems themselves), you can install the "ten" again after the old system has been updated to version 10 directly in the running system , but you can apply a reinstallation from scratch if, for some reason, Windows 10 does not boot in terms of an incorrect installation process.

Now two second options will be considered, since the installation of the "dozens" does not present any particular difficulties. It is important to remember that in any case you will need a flash drive or disk with the recorded distribution kit!

Why you might need to reinstall Windows 10

Many users may have a natural question: why reinstall the top ten, if it already works? The fact is that with a regular update, Windows 10 inherits all the shortcomings of the previous system, does not fix errors in the system registry, does not remove computer junk, and many programs. For example, programs or device drivers installed for the G8 simply refuse to work, etc.

There are a lot of reasons why the user does not like installing Windows 10 after updating (updating) the "seven" and "eight". In terms of installing a clean system from scratch, Windows 10 itself looks more preferable, however, like any newly installed system. After all, it is clear that immediately after the installation, the system is in complete order, and it, as they say, “flies”. Freezing and slowing down begins much later, after contamination of the "operating system" with unnecessary programs that often run in the background, their incorrect removal, when a heap of garbage remains, when a huge number of duplicate files appears on the hard drive, etc.

Clean install Windows 10 after upgrade: revert to original state

So, to begin with, let's consider the option when the “ten” has already replaced the old system, borrowing all the parameters and settings from it. First, we need to use the computer reset tool.

This can be done in the simplest way in a directly functioning OS. To do this, use the options section located in the Start menu, where the recovery option is selected in the Updates and Security section (on the left in the panel). On the left of the screen there is a line for returning the terminal to its initial state, and below it there is a "Start" button, which must be used.

Further, if we are wondering how to perform a clean installation of Windows 10, note that it is a clean one, in the next window you need to select the complete removal of everything that is on the hard drive, but if you wish, you can save some important information (select the first line). However, in this case, we will proceed from the fact that we do not need files or programs.

A list of programs to be cleared now appears. We press the button "Next", and in the new window - the button "Reset". This is followed by a restart of the computer terminal or laptop, and then the so-called clean installation of Windows 10 after the update is automatically activated. But it is too early to rejoice. It also happens that problems may arise with the return (more on that later), and the question of how to activate Windows 10 after a clean installation deserves special attention. This stage must be approached especially responsibly.

Activation after update

At the end of the installation process, you will need to log into your account (this is natural). Next, we call the computer properties menu (icon on the "Desktop") and look at the description. As you can see, the product is not activated. So a logical question arises: how to activate Windows 10 after a clean installation? But after the update, the system wrote that everything was in order with the activation.

That is why, before re-installing the system, you should first download a small utility called ProduKey before re-installing the system (it has not yet been returned to its original state). When launched, it will show all Microsoft keys, including the Windows activator. It needs to be written down.

Using an old key

Now, in a clean system, in the details window, we are looking for a line with activation, and then click the button for changing the product key.

Enter your key and confirm the activation. But not everything is so simple, when you need to solve the problem, 10 after the update, if the above method did not work, and errors occurred.

If Windows 10 won't boot

As already clear, in some cases the system may issue a warning that some problems have occurred. How do I perform a clean install of Windows 10 in this case?

First, we boot from a disk or flash drive containing the distribution kit written from the image. At the first stage, as usual, a window for configuring the primary parameters (language, date format, money, keyboard layout) appears, after which we proceed directly to the installation, but only here we select system recovery.

Next, from the proposed actions, select diagnostics. Then - returning the computer to its original state, and then - deleting everything that is. Eventually, an OS selection window will appear, listing Windows 10.

At the next step, it is best to select the line to clean only the disk on which the system is installed, and then use a simple file deletion. Now we confirm the start of the refund process.

After rebooting (possibly several times), when the restore process is finished, you will be shown a welcome message, and then you will be prompted to enter your product key. There is one point here. The fact is that the product key, according to Microsoft, is sent to a user who has an "account" who downloaded the system image from the official website. You can also enter it (if available). In this case, a request to enter the key will appear twice. But, in principle, this action can be skipped (postponed) and use the method described above for an already fully installed system. Next, you should agree with the legal issues and use the standard parameters to install and configure. If necessary, to enter the system, you need to enter your username and password, which were registered with Microsoft.

Instead of an afterword

Hopefully, many will now understand what a clean install of Windows 10 is after an upgrade. If you look at it, there is nothing particularly complicated here. True, there may be problems with activation keys, but they can either be obtained from Microsoft officially, as the developers themselves declare, or you can use many keys from the World Wide Web, but no one can guarantee that such a password will work. So it is better to use the official code, especially since it is "tied" not only to the user account, but also to the ID of the computer or laptop. And in the world, if anyone does not know, two identical identifiers (ID) do not exist at all.

In fact, today one of the best of its kind, and all from the fact that with its help you can restore / roll back the system, but not completely, but partially. This function should be used in situations when your operating system no longer has the ability to fully function, but still has the ability to boot more or less normally. In addition, using the "Start Over" function is relevant in situations where you do not have an installation disc or other media on which there is a Windows 10 operating system with which you can perform system recovery.

In fact, using the "Start over" function is a full-fledged opportunity to restore the system at any time and at the same time, at least partially, save all the system settings.

How to use the Start Over feature

To make it clear to you, the "Start over" function is part of the operating system security system and to start it, you need to: open the "Start" menu and from there, go to the "Windows Defender Security Center", and then go to the "Device health" section ", Find the link" Additional information "and click on it, click on the block with the name" Start over "in the" Start over "window, click on the" Get started "button again and follow all the instructions of the installation wizard.

Please note that the installation wizard at every stage of its work will notify you of what exactly is happening at the moment in the system. Each new window is the next action of the "wizard" for working with the OS and it is best to familiarize yourself with it so that there are no surprises in the future.

Almost completely Start Over feature in Windows 10 automated and you only occasionally have to click on certain buttons and only periodically enter account passwords.

As soon as the recovery process is completely completed, you will see a file on your desktop that contains a detailed description of the wizard's action log to remove applications or parts of the operating system.