Clean install Windows 10 in 2025 (USB, ISO, Reset this PC, and more)

To clean install Windows 10, boot your PC from a USB installation drive, select “Custom install,” choose and wipe the target drive, and then complete the Out-of-Box Experience.
Alternatively, use the Media Creation Tool, Reset this PC, WinRE, or mount a Windows 10 ISO and select “Nothing” in the “Change what to keep” step for a fresh setup.

UPDATED 7/22/2025: A clean install of Windows 10 continues to be the best method for setting up a new computer, fixing performance issues, or upgrading to the latest version (such as 22H2). This process removes everything on the hard drive and installs a fresh copy of the operating system without custom settings, drivers, apps, or files that may interfere with the upgrade process.

However, it’s important to understand that Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After that date, systems will stop receiving security updates and feature improvements.

If your device is compatible, it’s highly recommended to perform a clean install of Windows 11 instead to stay protected and supported.

If you must continue using Windows 10, consider enrolling the device in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to keep receiving monthly security patches for an additional year.

Personally, I perform a clean installation every year to refresh my setup and resolve issues such as slow startup times, memory leaks, and application crashes. It’s also the best approach for upgrading from Windows 7 or 8.1, or even downgrading from Windows 11 if needed. You can also use this option to debloat the system that may have come preinstalled with the manufacturer’s image on a new computer.

Microsoft offers several methods for performing a clean install of Windows 10, including using a USB flash drive to set up the installation on an SSD (Solid-State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). You can use the Media Creation Tool to do a fresh install on a device already running Windows 10. It’s also possible to use the “Reset this PC” feature to quickly wipe out the hard drive and reinstall the operating system without additional tools. Alternatively, if the computer fails to start, you can use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) or mount the ISO file in File Explorer to perform a clean installation.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the available methods to clean install Windows 10, whether you’re reinstalling the same version, moving to a newer release, such as version 22H2, setting up a new custom-built PC, or replacing a hard drive. (These instructions also apply to older versions like 21H2, 21H1, 20H2, 1909, 1903, and the others.)

Clean install Windows 10 from USB
Clean install Windows 10 from Media Creation Tool
Clean install Windows 10 from Reset this PC (local)
Clean install Windows 10 from Reset this PC (cloud)
Clean install Windows 10 from WinRE
Clean install Windows 10 from ISO file

Important: This process will erase everything on your computer. It’s recommended that you make a full backup of your computer before proceeding. You’ve been warned.

Clean install Windows 10 from USB

The best way to complete a fresh installation of Windows 10 is to use a USB flash drive, which you must first create using the Media Creation Tool, Command Prompt, or third-party tools like Rufus. Also, you must confirm that your computer meets the minimum system requirements and ensure it can start from USB by adjusting the boot order in the motherboard’s firmware, which may require changing the BIOS or UEFI settings. However, since most devices have different settings, you must check your manufacturer’s support website for more specific details.

To clean install Windows 10 from USB, follow these steps:

Start the PC with the Windows 10 USB bootable media.
Press any key to continue with the installation setup.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install now button.
If you are reinstalling, click the “I don’t have a product key” option. If Windows 10 was already activated after the installation, reactivation will happen automatically.
Select the edition of “Windows 10” your license key activates (if applicable).
Check the “I accept the license terms” option.
Click the Next button.
Select the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option to perform a clean install.
Select each partition on the hard drive where you want to install Windows 10 and click the Delete button. (Usually, “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)

Warning: Deleting a partition also deletes all data on the drive. Also, it is not necessary to delete the partitions from a secondary hard drive.
Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows 10.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout for your installation.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually (a Wi-Fi password may be required).
Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 10 Pro. (The “Home” edition does not have this option.)
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email to create an account.

Quick tip: You can set up Windows 10 without a Microsoft account with these instructions.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your account password. (You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator app to sign in.)
Click the Next button.
Click the “Create a PIN” button.
Create a new PIN password for the account.
Click the OK button.
Click the “Now now” button to skip importing your browsing data from other browsers to Microsoft Edge.
Turn the toggle switch on or off for each option to confirm the privacy settings that best suit your preferences.
Click the Accept button.
(Optional) On the “Customize your device” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to enable the setup to suggest customized tools and services during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the “No, thanks” option from the bottom-left corner to skip linking your phone to your computer.
Click the “Not now” button to disable Cortana since it’s no longer a feature in the operating system.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will apply the settings and finish the setup.

Clean install Windows 10 from Media Creation Tool

You can also perform a clean installation using the Media Creation Tool with the option to keep nothing. This option is available for devices already running Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, and it provides the ability to roll back to the previous installation.

To clean install Windows 10 with the Media Creation Tool, follow these steps:

Open the Microsoft support website.
Click the “Download tool now” button under the “Create Windows 10 installation media” section.
Save the installer to the device.
Double-click the MediaCreationToolXXXX.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Accept button.
Select the “Upgrade this PC now” option.
Click the Accept button again.
Click the “Change what to keep” option.
Select the Nothing option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install button.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually.
Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 10 Pro. (The “Home” edition does not have this option.)
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your account password. (You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator app to sign in.)
Click the Next button.
Click the “Create a PIN” button.
Create a new PIN password for your account.
Click the OK button.
Click the “Now now” button to skip importing your browsing data from other browsers to Microsoft Edge.
Turn on or off the toggle switch for each option to confirm the privacy settings that best suit your needs.
Click the Accept button.
(Optional) On the “Customize your device” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the “No, thanks” option from the bottom-left corner to skip linking your phone to your computer.
Click the “Not now” button to disable Cortana since it’s no longer a feature in the operating system.

After completing the steps, the setup will proceed with a fresh installation of the operating system.

This video tutorial will walk you through every step to successfully install the operating system on your computer.

Clean install Windows 10 from Reset this PC (local)

Using the local image, you can also use the recovery settings to start fresh with a clean copy of Windows 10. However, unlike the USB, Media Creation Tool, and ISO file methods, this option can only be used to reinstall the same version of the operating system that is already installed on the computer. If you want to upgrade to a newer version, you will need to use one of the other alternative methods.

To clean install Windows 10 with the “Reset this PC” feature using the local image, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Recovery.
Click the “Get started” button under the “Reset this PC” section.
Click the “Remove everything” option to perform a fresh install of Windows 10.
Click the “Local reinstall” option.
(Optional) Click the Change settings option.
Configure the reinstallation options:
- Clean data: If this option is set to “No” (recommended), the setup will only quickly delete files, apps, and settings. If the option is set to “Yes,” the setup will securely clean the drive before installing the operating system, but it will take longer.
- Delete files from all drives: If the option is set to “No” (recommended), only the installation drive will be erased. Otherwise, if this option is set to “Yes,” all the drives on the device will be deleted.
- Download Windows: If this option is set to “No” (recommended), the local image will be used for installation. If the option is set to “Yes,” the “Cloud download” option will be activated.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Next button.
Click the Reset button.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually.
Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 10 Pro. (The “Home” edition does not have this option.)
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your account password. (You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator app to sign in.)
Click the Next button.
Click the “Create a PIN” button.
Create a new PIN password for your account.
Click the OK button.
Click the “Now now” button to skip importing your browsing data from other browsers to Microsoft Edge.
Turn the toggle switch on or off for each option to confirm the privacy settings that best suit your needs.
Click the Accept button.
(Optional) On the “Customize your device” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the “No, thanks” option from the bottom-left corner to skip linking your phone to your computer.
Click the “Not now” button to disable Cortana since it’s no longer a feature in the operating system.

Once you complete the steps, a clean installation will be performed using the local image. If this is a branded computer, the setup will restore all the original settings previously available with the device. This means manufacturer-specific settings, drivers, applications, and tools. If you don’t want to reinstall the custom image provided by the manufacturer, use the “Cloud Download” option (see steps below).

Clean install Windows 10 from Reset this PC (cloud)

Windows 10 also includes the “Cloud Download” option in the “Reset this PC” feature, which allows you to reset the device with a clean installation, removing apps, files, and settings like the local image option. However, the difference is that when you select this option, the setup will download a fresh installation image from the Microsoft server.

This option has been designed to reinstall Windows 10 when the recovery feature is not working with the local image or when a branded computer with a custom image is used. If you choose this option, the setup will download the same version already installed on the device, which means you cannot use this method to upgrade the computer to a newer version. Also, if the device has a custom image from the manufacturer, this option will replace it with the one from Microsoft with all the standard settings and without custom drivers or trial software and tools.

To reinstall Windows 10 with the “Reset this PC” using the “Cloud Download” option, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Recovery.
Click the “Get started” button under the “Reset this PC” section.
Click the “Remove everything” option.
Click the “Cloud Download” option.
(Optional) Click the Change settings option.
Configure the reinstallation options:
- Clean data: If this option is set to “No” (recommended), the setup will only quickly delete files, apps, and settings. If the option is set to “Yes,” the setup will securely clean the drive before installing the operating system, but it will take longer.
- Delete files from all drives: If the option is set to “No” (recommended), only the installation drive will be erased. Otherwise, if this option is set to “Yes,” all the drives on the device will be deleted.
- Download Windows: If the option is set to “Yes” (recommended), the “Cloud download” option will be activated. If this option is set to “No,” then the local image will be used for installation.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Next button.
Click the Reset button.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually.
Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 10 Pro. (The “Home” edition does not have this option.)
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your account password. (You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator app to sign in.)
Click the Next button.
Click the “Create a PIN” button.
Create a new PIN password.
Click the OK button.
Click the “Now now” button to skip importing your browsing data from other browsers to Microsoft Edge.
Turn on or off the toggle switch for each option to confirm the privacy settings that best suit your needs.
Click the Accept button.
(Optional) On the “Customize your device” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the “No, thanks” option from the bottom-left corner to skip linking your phone to your computer.
Click the “Not now” button to disable Cortana since it’s no longer a feature in the operating system.

Once you complete the steps, the system will reset your device to the default settings by erasing and reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows 10 downloaded from the cloud.

Clean install Windows 10 from WinRE

If the computer does not start correctly and you want to reinstall Windows 10 to resolve the issue, the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) includes an option to perform a clean installation using either a local or cloud image.

These are usually the same options available through the “Reset this PC” settings. However, you can also access the feature through WinRE (most commonly known as “Advanced startup”), making it ideal for performing a clean installation of Windows 10 when the computer has problems or when you cannot boot the system to access the Settings app.

Again, this option can only be used to reinstall the same operating system version already installed on the computer. If you also want to upgrade to the latest version, use the Media Creation Tool, ISO file, or USB options.

To clean install Windows 10 from the Windows Recovery Environment, follow these steps:

Start the device by pressing the power button.
Immediately after the Power-On Self-Test (POST), press the Power button again to shut down.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 twice, and in the third restart, the operating system should enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

Quick note: Windows 10 has multiple ways to open the Advanced startup settings. You can use these other options if you cannot access the recovery environment.
Click the Advanced options button.
Click on Troubleshoot.
Click on the “Reset this PC” option.
Select the “Remove everything” option.
Click the Cloud download or Local reinstall option. The “Cloud download” option downloads a fresh image from the Microsoft servers and performs a fresh installation. The “Local reinstall” uses the locally available image to install a clean copy of Windows 10.
Select the “Only the drive where Windows is installed” option. (The “All drives” option will delete the data on all drives. This option is usually recommended only when you want to decommission the computer.)
Select the “Just remove my files” option to quickly delete the drive contents or the “Full clean the drive” option to delete everything using secure erase, which takes several hours. This option is suitable when preparing to give away the device.
Click the Reset button.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually.
Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 10 Pro. (The “Home” edition does not have this option.)
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your account password. (You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator app to sign in.)
Click the Next button.
Click the “Create a PIN” button.
Create a new PIN password for your account.
Click the OK button.
Click the “Now now” button to skip importing your browsing data from other browsers to Microsoft Edge.
Turn the toggle switch on or off for each option to confirm the privacy settings that best suit your needs.
Click the Accept button.
(Optional) On the “Customize your device” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the “No, thanks” option from the bottom-left corner to skip linking your phone to your computer.
Click the “Not now” button to disable Cortana since it’s no longer a feature in the operating system.

Once you complete the steps, the process will reset your computer to the default settings by erasing and reinstalling a clean copy of Windows 10. The completion time will depend on your computer hardware configuration and selected reset configuration.

Clean install Windows 10 from ISO file

If you only have a Windows 10 ISO file, you can mount it in File Explorer to perform a clean install or an in-place upgrade on a device with the operating system already installed.

To clean install Windows 10 from an ISO file, follow these steps:

Download the Windows 10 ISO without using the Media Creation Tool.
Right-click the ISO file and select the Mount option.
Select the virtual drive from the left navigation pane.
Double-click the Setup.exe file to begin the Windows 10 installation.
(Optional) Click the “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” option.
Select the “Not right now” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button to confirm your agreement to the terms.
Click the “Change what to keep” option.
Select the Nothing option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install button.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually.
Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 10 Pro. (The “Home” edition does not have this option.)
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your account password. (You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator app to sign in.)
Click the Next button.
Click the “Create a PIN” button.
Create a new PIN password for your account.
Click the OK button.
Click the “Now now” button to skip importing your browsing data from other browsers to Microsoft Edge.
Turn the toggle switch on or off for each option to confirm the privacy settings that best suit your needs.
Click the Accept button.
(Optional) On the “Customize your device” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the “No, thanks” option from the bottom-left corner to skip linking your phone to your computer.
Click the “Not now” button to disable Cortana since it’s no longer a feature in the operating system.

Once you complete the steps, the clean installation process will begin, like using the Media Creation Tools or USB flash drive to upgrade the system.

FAQs about the clean installation process on Windows 10

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about performing a clean installation of Windows 10.

What should I do if my computer doesn’t boot from the USB drive?

If your device doesn’t start from the USB bootable media, you’ll need to access the UEFI or BIOS firmware settings and change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive. On many systems, you can also use a temporary boot menu (usually accessible by pressing one of the function keys or the ESC key immediately after turning on the device) to select the USB drive manually.

If the system is already set to boot from USB but the Windows Setup doesn’t load, the USB flash drive may be corrupted or not created properly. In that case, recreate the bootable media and try again with a different USB flash drive if possible.

How can I ensure all data is completely erased before installing Windows 10?

To completely wipe the drive before installing Windows 10, you can delete all partitions during the installation process using the setup wizard and then format the primary partition. You don’t need any third-party tools.

Alternatively, if you’re resetting from within the operating system using Reset this PC, you can select “Remove everything” and then turn on “Clean data” to securely erase your files from the change settings page. However, this method is available only if you’re starting from an existing Windows installation.

Are there any risks associated with doing a clean install of Windows 10?

Yes. A clean installation will erase everything on the hard drive, including your apps, files, and settings. Once you start the installation, it cannot be undone. If you didn’t back up your files beforehand, you won’t be able to recover them unless you’ve stored them in the cloud or created a full system backup.

To prevent data loss, ensure that you back up your personal files, make notes of your settings, and download the device drivers before proceeding.

Will I lose my license key during the install process?

No, Windows 10 reactivates automatically after online. However, if the computer doesn’t reactivate, and it’s been more than a day or two, you can use the activation troubleshooter to resolve the issue.

Can I keep my files during the clean installation?

No, you can only keep your files using an in-place upgrade. A clean install always erases data.

What method are you using? Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments.

Update July 22, 2025: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.