What is the best sequence to Reistall Windows 10?

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  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
       #1

    What is the best sequence to Reistall Windows 10?


    Hi there.
    For the last three months I have had Windows 10 problems, principally that I lost the ‘windows’ button and it’s activities, but also file saving problems.
    I had purchased a new PC with Windows10 64 bit Home already installed, assuming that all would be 'hunky dory'.
    However that has not proved to be the case.. . . so . . . .
    I purchased a recovery stick from HP and have tried to re-install twice.

    Neither time has been entirely successful. With different reasons each time.

    Can anyone point me to a primer which can recommend the optimal sequence to reinstall printers, network, Norton, Office 365 etc. ... and perhaps the best times to make a recovery disc etc.
    A bit of a long-shot, asking this, but if anyone could help, that would be great.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #2

    Hi there

    Others are better qualified than me to answer this question - But if you have a WORKING system TAKE A BACKUP BEFORE YOU START (Caps intended).

    There's loads of free backup programs out there so no excuse.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 192
    Windows 10
       #3

    I have read somewhere that an anti virus program could be the culprit corrupting files during installing programs.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    jimbo45 said:
    Hi there

    Others are better qualified than me to answer this question - But if you have a WORKING system TAKE A BACKUP BEFORE YOU START (Caps intended).

    There's loads of free backup programs out there so no excuse.

    Cheers
    jimbo
    Thanks Jimbo. I have put all my files and needed 'stuff' on an external drive .. so I should be OK there.
    I really do want to have a completely clean PC to start off this time.
    A completely reformatted HD would be my ideal.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    Personally, I would not install any extra anti-virus programs beyond Windows Defender. But if you are going to, then that would be the last item I install.

    I go with:

    1. Make a system image backup using Macrium Reflect.
    2. Export device drivers using dism /online /export-driver /destination:E:\DriversW10 (the destination path will be where you store them).
    3. Clean install vanilla Windows 10 - deleting all partitions on the drive that I am installing to and installing Windows to the unallocated space.
    4. Install network drivers if I have to, connect to my home network, connect to the internet, let Windows 10 run all updates.
    5. Look in Device Manager for "unknown devices". First attempt to upgrade drivers by searching for updates, which includes online.
    6. Any devices that don't have drivers online, then use the browse my computer option and point it to the saved drivers from step 2.
    7. Upgrade video and audio card drivers from the manufacturer.
    8. Install major programs.
    9. Install anti-virus (if you want to).
    10. Do system scan with your anti-virus (if you want to).
    11. Minor tweaks.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Johannes said:
    I have read somewhere that an anti virus program could be the culprit corrupting files during installing programs.
    Thanks,
    When I use the HP USB installation drive, it automatically puts in McAfee as a virus protection. Hopefully their USB drive will be able to withstand that.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    NavyLCDR said:
    Personally, I would not install any extra anti-virus programs beyond Windows Defender. But if you are going to, then that would be the last item I install.

    I go with:

    1. Make a system image backup using Macrium Reflect.
    2. Export device drivers using dism /online /export-driver /destination:E:\DriversW10 (the destination path will be where you store them).
    3. Clean install vanilla Windows 10 - deleting all partitions on the drive that I am installing to and installing Windows to the unallocated space.
    4. Install network drivers if I have to, connect to my home network, connect to the internet, let Windows 10 run all updates.
    5. Look in Device Manager for "unknown devices". First attempt to upgrade drivers by searching for updates, which includes online.
    6. Any devices that don't have drivers online, then use the browse my computer option and point it to the saved drivers from step 2.
    7. Upgrade video and audio card drivers from the manufacturer.
    8. Install major programs.
    9. Install anti-virus (if you want to).
    10. Do system scan with your anti-virus (if you want to).
    11. Minor tweaks.
    Hi Navy. Thnaks.
    Just the sort of advice I was looking for.
    Is the free version of Macrium Reflect the version I Need?
    I will need to investigate how to do the dism thing in point 2.! though!

    I really appreciate your assistance.

    I won't mark the thread as closed yet as I will probably need to get back to you to give you effusive thanks.

    EDITED:
    I just looked up dism .... should I run sfc/scannow first!
    Last edited by MrChips; 29 Feb 2016 at 12:47. Reason: Just looked up DISM
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #8

    MrChips said:
    Thanks,
    When I use the HP USB installation drive, it automatically puts in McAfee as a virus protection. Hopefully their USB drive will be able to withstand that.
    If you are going to use the HP recovery media - then the first step that I would do before anything else would be to uninstall McAfee.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    NavyLCDR said:
    If you are going to use the HP recovery media - then the first step that I would do before anything else would be to uninstall McAfee.
    When I run the HP USB reinstall stick .... HP include McAfee in their unstoppable sequence of events. They give me no option to bypass it .. unfortunately.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #10

    MrChips said:
    When I run the HP USB reinstall stick .... HP include McAfee in their unstoppable sequence of events. They give me no option to bypass it .. unfortunately.
    Correct. And after the restore is complete, the first step that I would do is uninstall it.

    But, also, instead of doing a full restore using the HP restore disks, I would do a clean install of vanilla Windows 10 using a Windows 10 install USB or DVD created from the Media Creation Tool.
    Windows 10
      My Computer


 

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