2 Ways to Reinstall Windows 10 [Full Guide]

Windows is notorious for crashing, slowing down, getting malware, and a host of other issues. You can eliminate these problems simply by reinstalling the operating system.

Would you like to know all the details on how to reinstall Windows 10? Keep reading this article, as we've covered everything you need to know about reinstalling Windows 10.

A Dell laptop sitting on a desk

Reasons You Might Need to Reinstall Windows

There are many instances where you will need to reinstall Windows on your computer. If you already did not know, Windows corrupts a lot, and the only solution can sometimes be to reinstall Windows altogether.

There are even more cases where reinstalling Windows helps, such as:

• Junk
• Malware
• OS Crash
• System Failure
• Virus Infection
• Performance Issues
• Accidentally Deleting Important Files

Let's look briefly at each of them.

?Read More: How to Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Programs [Easy]

Performance Issues

Typically, when your PC begins to exhibit performance issues like slowing down or freezing, you should first attempt other remedies such as deleting junk files, freeing up disk space, and so on. However, if it continues to perform poorly, crash, or freeze, reinstalling Windows 10 on your computer will resolve the problem.

Malware is a term used to refer to malicious software, which includes viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, adware, and other types of harmful programs designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems and networks.

If your computer was infected with malware, a virus, or adware, reinstalling Windows on your PC wipes it off your computer. This is another reason why you should consider reinstalling Windows 10 on your PC.

For a reliable antivirus or malware cleaner, you can give TotalAV a try. It offers real-time protection against viruses, malware, and online threats.

Junk Files

When you download an application, the application files are stored in the "Program Files" or "Windows" folder. If you uninstall the application or delete it, the residual files are not entirely removed. These files accumulate over time and can eventually cause your computer to run slower.

You can delete junk files by clicking the Start button and then searching for the %temp% folder, but many junk files are still scattered across your boot drive.

By reinstalling Windows 10, you remove all the junk files from your PC.

Accidentally Deleting Important Windows Files

If you accidentally delete important Windows files or a registry entry, your system won't function correctly. Reinstalling Windows can recover all these files and get your PC working as it should.

How to Reinstall Windows 10

So before you reinstall Windows 10 on your PC, there's one crucial thing you should do – create a backup of your computer. You can click here to check the items to back up before reinstalling Windows.

You can create a backup using Windows' built-in backup solution, but you'll need a USB drive for that. Alternatively, you can use specialized backup software to back up your computer and store the backups on the cloud or another USB drive.

Our favorite backup tool is Todo Backup, which can back up your computer and upload it directly to the cloud, sparing you the need to purchase a USB drive and store your data on it.

Now that you know what you need to do before reinstalling Windows 10 on your PC, here's what you need to do next:

Method 1: Reinstall Windows using the Windows Media Creation Tool

Here's a step-by-step guide to reinstalling Windows 10 on your PC.

Step 1. Download the Windows Media Creation Tool and use it to create an installation ISO file.

Select the option **Create installation media**. 

Step 2. Double-click on the "Setup" file to open it.

Step 3. Choose "Download and install updates (recommended)."

Step 4. Choose the "Change what to keep" option under "What needs your attention."

Choosing what to keep before reinstalling Windows

Step 5. You'll be asked whether you want to keep your apps and files or remove everything. If you've created a backup, choose "Nothing." Otherwise, select "Keep personal files only" or "Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings."

Step 6. Click "Next," follow the prompts, and allow a few minutes for the installation to finish.

Method 2: Reset PC Using Settings

In previous versions of Windows, resetting your PC was quite difficult, but Microsoft has made it easier with Windows 10.

Step 1. Click on the "Start" button and search for "Settings."

Step 2. Open "Settings" and then navigate to "Update & Security."

Opening "Update & Security" in Settings

Step 3. Next, choose "Recovery" and then click on "Get started" under "Reset this PC."

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Closing Thoughts

That's how you reinstall Windows 10. There are plenty of other reasons that might force you to reinstall the Windows OS on your computer, and the great thing about Windows PCs is that you can also repair them without deleting your files and apps.

And compared to other operating systems, Windows is largely flexible and cost-efficient. You only need to spend money on your Windows PC when a component breaks; otherwise, a simple reinstall of Windows solves many issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Reinstalling Windows 10

1. Can I reinstall Windows 10 for free? Yes, you can reinstall Windows 10 for free if you have a genuine copy of the operating system. Microsoft allows users to download the Windows 10 installation media from their official website using the Media Creation Tool. To do this: 1. Visit the official Microsoft Windows 10 download page: 2. Click on the "Download tool now" button to download the Media Creation Tool. 3. Run the tool and select "Create installation media for another PC." 4. Follow the on-screen instructions, choosing your language, edition, and whether you want a 32-bit or 64-bit version. 5. Select "USB flash drive" or "ISO file," depending on your preference. 6. If you choose an ISO file, burn it to a DVD or use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive. 7. Boot your computer from the installation media and proceed with the installation process. Keep in mind that you'll need your Windows 10 product key if you've previously activated it. If you haven't activated it or don't have the key, you may need to purchase one to fully activate the OS after reinstalling.

Yes, you can download and reinstall Windows 10 for free, but make sure you have your Windows product key first. If you don't and you reinstall the operating system, you'll see a watermark prompting you to activate Windows, and you won't be able to use certain features until you activate it.

< b > 2. Does reinstalling Windows delete everything? < /b > Reinstalling Windows typically involves wiping the system drive and starting from scratch, which means it will delete most of the data, applications, and settings on your computer. However, it's possible to perform a clean install without losing personal files by backing them up beforehand. It's crucial to remember that different installation methods may have varying impacts on your data, so always ensure you have backups before proceeding with a reinstall.

The answer is both yes and no. When reinstalling Windows, the system will prompt you with options: whether to erase everything, keep your files, or retain all your files and applications. If you have a backup of your files, you can proceed with a clean reinstall. If not, you can opt to preserve your files and apps or just your files.

3. Should I reset Windows or reinstall it?

Both have their use cases, but to put it bluntly, if you're dealing with an issue that a Windows reset didn't fix, you should consider a clean install of Windows.