I want to do a clean reinstall of Windows 10 on my nearly new computer (I think I have some malware on it). What is the best/easiest way to do that? And no I do not have a recovery disk yet (was just about to do that when things went south). I do have a Windows 10 disk that I got when I bought the computer and my data is backed up.
Hi,
What is this almost new computer is it the one in your system spec's = desktop/ home made ?
If not let us know brand/ model/.....
I'm sure a spastic key board combination can be use to activate the manufactures system restore process or simply use F8..... or similar at start up and boot to it's listing ?
You have two basic options assuming you don't want to do a Windows reset - safest if you have bad malware.
a. Restore it to 'as new' as Thrashzone describes, assuming you have a manufacturer's recovery partition. That would not need an external disk at all.
b. Do a 'true' clean install- with nothing extra from your supplier. (New PCs usually come with trialware and various manufacturer supplied utilities.
If you wish to truly eliminate any root kits etc, format your disk before installing Windows. (You may wish to keep your recovery partition).
Clean Install Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials
You can freely download Win 10 iso's and create a bootable DVD or USB disk (supported by tutorials if required)
If you choose (b) you should still be able to download any utilities you want from the manufacturer's site.
Activation after reinstallation should be automatic - no key needed.
I don't know what the disk may be that you were supplied with. I'd guess it's not a 'clean' copy of Win 10 as from MS.
Note: using disk imaging routinely, as we repeatedly recommend, can often save you from disaster and from having to do a clean install. E.g. Macrium Reflect (free).
In addition to above. Before re-install,
- Download a portable Double Driver 4.1 Download - TechSpot , run and save all drivers to a USB/HD. After install re-run the program and restore all drivers. This will save time.
- Disconnect the internet (install faster). Re-connect after install.
My "almost" new computer is a CyberPower PC gaming system desktop. Nice system when I don't click on stuff I shouldn't (my BAD). The disk supplied with my system is only Win10 64 bit and is labeled it is only for backup and recovery so I should be OK (no backup partition on my HD that I can find). Thanks all for your help.
You are talking about this ?: Dism /Online /Export-Driver /Destination:C:\Drivers
but it is portable and more convenient which you can select what to save and what to restore !!!.
BTW, All drivers are stored in: C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository
so you don't even have to use any DISM command. Just copy and paste.
Last edited by topgundcp; 15 Nov 2017 at 16:32.
I would strongly suggest that you use Dism to backup your drivers, preferably to a USB stick. Dism is your best friend, and a very powerful one at that. Instead of downloading a plethora of third-party software to do various tasks, and dramatically increasing the chances of re-infecting your system, learn to harness and utilize the power of Dism
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