Reformatting Windows 10

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  1. Posts : 300
    Windows 10
       #1

    Reformatting Windows 10


    Hey guys, i tried googling this but couldn't find any solid answers.

    I want to reformat my computer, usually i do the old school boot from windows 10 through cd or usb, format the hardrives and reinstall windows that way.

    I discovered however Windows 10 has a reset/format option of its own in settings > recovery.

    Does this do the same thing or rather have the same desired effect, cleaning my computer so that it has absolutely nothing and installs a fresh Windows 10, whilst still keeping my windows activation?

    Thanks =)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #2

    Yes.
    Settings > Update & Security > left side, Recovery > right side, under Reset this PC > Get Started........
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 300
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    davidhk said:
    Yes.
    Settings > Update & Security > left side, Recovery > right side, under Reset this PC > Get Started........
    Does it work if i'm also offline?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #4

    Vellaura said:
    Does it work if i'm also offline?
    Yes but (not certain) it might not activate until you go online.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #5

    Vellaura said:
    Does it work if i'm also offline?
    Yes, because you are "resetting" the OS (Windows 10) which is already in the system.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 300
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Confirmation on whether activation works offline?

    edit: oh until i go online, i hate when widows installs drivers on its own, which is why i wana do offline, put my drivers in then go online.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #7

    I still use and prefer the clean format install from a usb stick.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 300
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    swarfega said:
    I still use and prefer the clean format install from a usb stick.
    Don't you lose your activation key that way?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #9

    swarfega said:
    I still use and prefer the clean format install from a usb stick.
    Same here, simply because resetting Windows 10 can (and will) take an hour or more whereas a clean install takes 15 minutes or so. The result is the same, a clean Windows 10.

    Kari
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #10

    No, if you use skip activation, Windows will automatically re-activate on connection to the internet.
      My Computers


 

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