Laptop + Windows 10 Fresh Install + Partitions

I have suspicions of issues on my daughters ASUS laptop. It has had some viruses recently and tbh I am just not comfortable with her using it now until I can wipe it and start it all afresh.

I upgraded (the free update) from windows 8 to windows 10.

Just so everything is put back in order I wanted to do an ASUS factory reset but it keeps coming back with an issue saying that there is a missing partition.

From memory I think there were 7 partitions (I will post a screen dump when I get a chance).

In the recent past I did the windows 10 boot via the USB formatting the 2 large partitions and putting it in one of them which seems to work ok but I am just worried about anything in the partitions being compromised so to be on the safe sound would prefer just to wipe the slate clean and start again. Soooooo

1 - Is there a way to sort the built in “Factory Reset” and is it 100% that everything will be clean.

Or

2 - Is there an alternative way to 1. of getting a comprehensive clean install of windows 10. I am conscious that I might need to start hunting around for drivers etc as I assume that’s the reason for the OEM and Recovery partitions etc.

Cheers

Kyhi said:

Asus BackTracker = oem program to restore asus factory recovery after windows 10 upgrade

Thanks for the quick response. I used that already and all it does is ultimately take you down the same path and error message.

Is this safe to do?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0iEDk6n23k

I think it might not be picking up the partition correctly ???

http://www.asus.com/uk/support/FAQ/1013001/

Do that and then it comes up that same message.

TechTit said:

From memory I think there were 7 partitions

Absolutely not. You are inflating the number. With an EFI system you will have (maximum) 4. EFI, Microsoft reserved partition, C drive and recovery. Actually you only need 2 - EFI and C drive. When you do a clean install they will be created for you - you need not concern yourself with that.

TechTit said:

I am conscious that I might need to start hunting around for drivers etc as I assume that’s the reason for the OEM and Recovery partitions etc.

In my experience no, probably not. Windows is pretty good and finding drivers as long as you have internet. I only have Wi-Fi so I must make sure I can install that driver so Windows update can find the rest.

What you could do is export all your current drivers to USB stick, do a clean install (wiping the disk in the process) and then re-install them all after.

How to restore drivers backed up via Dism /Online /Export-Driver - Windows 10 Forums
Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

After that run Windows update a few times and you'll be fine. Obviously backup any documents you want to keep first...

I find EaseUS a freebie quite good at looking and managing partitions. Much better than the Win 10 partition manager. Download and install it, and then run, you will see the full monty. It is quite a shock to find how much garbage the PC vendor puts in there.

As for drivers give it an hour so so, Win10 is very good at finding and installing them. Only printer drivers are not automatically found and installed.

lx07 said:

Absolutely not. You are inflating the number. With an EFI system you will have (maximum) 4. EFI, Microsoft reserved partition, C drive and recovery. Actually you only need 2 - EFI and C drive. When you do a clean install they will be created for you - you need not concern yourself with that.

In my experience no, probably not. Windows is pretty good and finding drivers as long as you have internet. I only have Wi-Fi so I must make sure I can install that driver so Windows update can find the rest.

What you could do is export all your current drivers to USB stick, do a clean install (wiping the disk in the process) and then re-install them all after.

How to restore drivers backed up via Dism /Online /Export-Driver - Windows 10 Forums
Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

After that run Windows update a few times and you'll be fine. Obviously backup any documents you want to keep first...

Thanks for the input all.

I updated when it first became available.

I am a techtit so not savy enough to know how many partitions I should have vs how it looks .... I assume the previous upgrade has left these and perhaps is the reason the factory reset doesn't work ?

Anyway I think I will just bite the bullet and take things back to a clean slate doing a full wipe and reinstall.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1...n-install.html

When get to step 12/13 which path do I take ? .... does it matter as theoretically I will be deleting all the partitions anyway ? BTW deleting all these will not affect my ability to install windows 10 back on will it i.e. I haven't lost some kind of electronic stamp in the partitions ?

On partitions what's the benefit .... I am not a 100% on this. Is it to ensure process is run smoothly in one partition while another is sat at the back for storage ? If that is the case after deleting them should I perhaps create 2; one for the OS and the other for storage?