New Win 10 PC - clean install?

Morton54 · 15 Jan 2020

I just purchased a new Win10 desktop. Now, beeing a longtime Win 7 power user I have read numerous advices to do a "Clean re-install" of the OS to get rid of all the crap, bloatware and things I dont need. And f.ex customize privacy and telemetry etc.

But I'm a little confused. What option to use?
1. Make a new install from a media?
2. "Reset this PC" option?
Option 2. seems clearly to be the most convenient, but will all the customize options I get in option 1. also be available here?

swarfega · 15 Jan 2020

Try and see if you can uninstall most of the crap first before you have to consider clean install. All the programs should be listed in uninstall in control panel and all the apps should be listed in apps in settings.

zbook · 15 Jan 2020

If you decide to perform a clean install or reset remove files you can export drivers and restore them.

The "My Computer" section has space for two computers.

System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums
In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

Include PSU. cooler, case, peripherals and anything attached to the computer by wired or wireless (mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, xbox, USB wireless network card, etc.)

dalchina · 15 Jan 2020

Hi, for reference:
Reset Windows 10

-which says:

Keep my files

This is to refresh Windows 10.
Reinstalls Windows 10 and keeps your accounts and personal files.
Removes apps and drivers you installed.
Removes changes you made to settings.
Removes any apps your PC manufacturer installed. (If your PC came with Windows 10, apps from your PC manufacturer will be reinstalled.)

Remove everything

This is to reset Windows 10.
Reinstalls Windows 10 and removes all your accounts and personal files.
Removes apps and drivers you installed.
Removes changes you made to settings.
Removes any apps your PC manufacturer installed. (If your PC came with Windows 10, apps from your PC manufacturer will be reinstalled.)
If you're planning to donate, recycle, or sell your PC, use this option and choose to fully clean the drive. This might take an hour or two, but it makes it harder for other people to recover files you've removed.

Clean Install Windows 10

Please note: if you presently have build 1903 installed, the latest is 1909.
There are problems with file explorer search in 1909 following MS changes which many report here and on the internet generally- MS will fix this at some point, but their record on changing, breaking and fixing things is not the best.

It is possible to get a 1903 iso file and install that should you wish: search for
Heidoc iso downloader.

And f.ex customize privacy and telemetry etc.

Concerns about this are vastly overdone. If you are concerned about this you would never use any form of cloud service or email.

will all the customize options I get in option 1. also be available here?

Windows is Windows given a build and edition.

However if your manufacturer provides support for special features e.g. dedicated keys or update software, and you wish to use that, should you do a clean install, for example, you could still get those utilities from your manufacturer's driver download list.

Morton54 · 15 Jan 2020

Thanks guys.
Well, I haven't powered it up yet so there's no accounts, drivers, apps installed by me. But I remember all the unwanted stuff (cloud services, shops, multimedias, .. you name it ) when I helped my wife setting up her new Win 10 new laptop. So I thought I should do this right from the start.