I would use a tool that will convert your current Windows disk into virtual disk to be used in virtual machine:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sys...loads/disk2vhd
See also tutorial here or search for more:
How to Convert a Physical Windows or Linux PC to a Virtual Machine
This is my own list before doing clean install:
1. backup bookmarks
2. backup other stuff (documents and anything you care about) to another drive (USB, external HDD)
3. backup program settings (steps for settings into a file, or write some quick tutorials that serve only you for future reference)
4. Download up to date Windows ISO and create bootable USB
5. Since you want current system in future virtual machine, make sure to test virtual disk that you create, ex. make sure it boots up.
6. once your backup is away from computer on another disk including virtual disk of current OS, go ahead and do clean install. (slow disk format is a must to minimize file system and disk errors in fresh system, although most people skip it with default installer setup)
At this point you may want to adjust or revisit BIOS options before installing new system...
ex:
secure boot, VT-X, VT-D etc.. (ex. you need VT-X for virtual machine)
First things you do in fresh system in following order:
1. Fully update Windows
2. download only original drivers from motherboard site and install them in this order:
A) chipset drivers, reboot
B) the rest of drivers, 2nd reboot
3. Adjust Windows settings and do not install anything else, do not transfer anything from your external backup drive.
adjusting settings includes:
A) all settings in Settings app
B) Add remove features in "programs and features"
C) Security options in following locations as wanted:
- Defender app
- GPO
- Advanced system settings dialog (Settings app > System ...)
reboot
4. First setup and test Hyper-V (enabled in step 3-B)
5. if it works, boot your virtual disk that you made in old OS, if it doesn't work you need to disable Hyper-V before installing other virtualization programs.
6. Install only programs that are you really need, less software equals faster system, more you install more possible trouble you introduce.
The rule is simple: If you plan to remove software at some point in the future that you're installing, then don't install it.
7. Change all your online passwords starting with e-mail, make each one unique, change router passwords, do not use same Windows account name/password in new system.
Fresh system is the best time to revisit your passwords.
There is a lot more one can do for fresh start, it looks like a lot but you do this only one or twice a year so it must be perfect!
The rest is best practices to keep your system stable and secure for as long as possible, otherwise a new start is needed...