Wiping my Windows 10 pro PC.What Method should I use to wipe-Reinstall

Page 3 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

  1. Posts : 314
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1803
    Thread Starter
       #21

    NavyLCDR said:
    If it asks you for a product key, click Skip or Do This Later. As long as you install the same version of Windows 10 the computer had on it before (such as Home or Pro), the first time the computer is connected to the internet it will retrieve the previous activation information from Microsoft activation servers and activate itself.

    The activation information is stored on the Microsoft activation servers using a hardware ID generated by Windows 10 calculating a value based on the installed hardware of the computer (mostly the motherboard) and has nothing to do with anything stored on the hard drive.
    Awesome. Thank you so much for your help. I will keep you and everyone posted when I complete the reboot on what happened. Anything else I should know or be aware of please don't hesitate to let me know. I am grateful for you and your help aswell as everybodies contributions.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 314
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1803
    Thread Starter
       #22

    One more thing NavyLCDR.

    What do you think of these methods and should I consider using?

    Windows 10 Options
    Reset this PC
    Refresh your PC
    Bare metal recovery
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 314
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1803
    Thread Starter
       #23

    Also somebody mentioned that 10586.0 needs to be updated to 10586.14 is that correct? if so, how should I go about doing so?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 314
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1803
    Thread Starter
       #24

    Another Question, The Windows 10 ISO DVD version 1511 or 10586.0 is this a full version or upgrade version or does it even matter when it comes to reinstalling with out any prior version of Windows installed after being completely wiped?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #25

    I would assume bare metal recovery. I would guess that DBAN is going to want to create a bootable CD, DVD or USB to boot from in order to run because it can't erase a hard drive that is in use. Once you boot the DBAN CD, DVD or USB and run the program, you should be left with a "bare metal" hard drive.

    The upgrade from 10586.0 to 10586.14 will come from Windows Update once Windows 10 is installed. You do not have to upgrade or update your Windows 10 DVD for that.

    The Windows 10 DVD can do both clean installs from nothing and upgrades of previous installed operating systems. Boot from the DVD and you get a clean install. Insert the DVD while running Windows 7/8/8.1 and just run setup.exe from the DVD will do an upgrade.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 314
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1803
    Thread Starter
       #26

    NavyLCDR said:
    I would assume bare metal recovery. I would guess that DBAN is going to want to create a bootable CD, DVD or USB to boot from in order to run because it can't erase a hard drive that is in use. Once you boot the DBAN CD, DVD or USB and run the program, you should be left with a "bare metal" hard drive.

    The upgrade from 10586.0 to 10586.14 will come from Windows Update once Windows 10 is installed. You do not have to upgrade or update your Windows 10 DVD for that.

    The Windows 10 DVD can do both clean installs from nothing and upgrades of previous installed operating systems. Boot from the DVD and you get a clean install. Insert the DVD while running Windows 7/8/8.1 and just run setup.exe from the DVD will do an upgrade.
    Thank you again. So, the "Bare Metal" hard drive option, is basically the method I have been doing in the past except now I will be doing it correctly.

    At this point I have no other questions. I am sure some will arise. I am looking forward to testing out this new way. I will update later. Hope your day is going well NavyLCDR and you had a great Thanksgiving.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 314
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1803
    Thread Starter
       #27

    Hey NavyLCDR. Everything worked out as you said. Thank you very much for your help. It feels great that I don't have to do that tedious method I did for so many years. I am so happy that Microsoft listened to the insiders and they changed their process. So much better.

    I had one problem though maybe you can help me figure out so I don't have to deal with it later. I got an error (look at image below) that I wasn't' able to go further with the installation. It got stuck at 67% and then the error would pop up. I had to restart my computer two to three times before it worked. Any ideas why?
    Wiping my Windows 10 pro PC.What Method should I use to wipe-Reinstall-installation-error.png

    Also, is there a limit of how many times you can reboot your computer and activate Windows?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #28

    mrje1 said:
    Any ideas why?
    Were you installing Windows from a DVD? Probably a marginal burn on the DVD, especially if you used high speed burn.

    mrje1 said:
    Also, is there a limit of how many times you can reboot your computer and activate Windows?
    Nope.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 314
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1803
    Thread Starter
       #29

    NavyLCDR said:
    Were you installing Windows from a DVD? Probably a marginal burn on the DVD, especially if you used high speed burn.
    Yes. What do you recommend on burn settings so I wouldn't have the problem in the future?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #30

    Always burn at the minimum speed, 4x, 6x or whatever your burner allows to make sure the disc has the less possible errors (and can be corrected during reading). Prefer known brands, avoid very cheap noname brands. They may cost some cents more, but you are sure that you write something and it will work for years, rather than hours.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:47.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums