Clean Install Windows 10

Brink · 27 May 2017

Jamesray15hr said:

For step 13, I'm wary of deleting drives on OEM software.

Hello James, :)

Since this is an OEM Windows 10, it may be best to reset Windows 10 instead to avoid wiping all partitions on the disk.

Reset Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

swarfega · 02 Aug 2017

I am not sure that MS should be encouraging "super memorable passwords"! Its not good security sense. One rule I always follow is to never use words or names and get my passwords generated for me.

RickC · 17 Aug 2017

Hi Brink,

Excellent tutorial (as always). :)

Might it be worth adding to the notes (or making it clear) under step 7 that if the device already has a 'digital entitlement' stored with Microsoft and you are carrying out a clean install then you can just use the I don't have a product key link, even if the digital entitlement is not linked to an MS account.

I always use a local account and have never had to enter a product key whilst carrying out a clean install on a device that already has a 'digital entitlement'. Windows has just re-activated automatically the first time it connects to the internet, even after a change from an HDD to an SSD.

Hope this helps...

Rick

Brink · 17 Aug 2017

Hey Rick, :)

Does your PC have an embedded key?

If you don't setup Windows with a MSA, then it won't use the digital license linked to the MSA unless the product key is embedded in the UEFI firmware. Windows would then automatically activate with it if the key is for that edition.

I haven't had a PC automatically activate with a local account and without an embedded key.

RickC · 17 Aug 2017

Hi Brink,

No, none of the previously activated laptops I've clean installed (using a local account) have embedded Windows 10 keys... they're all too old and were initially upgraded from Windows 7 or 8. You've got me doubting myself now. :)

I've just grabbed one - a Dell Latitude E7450 that was originally Win 8 but is now running Win 10 1607 - deleted all partitions and am now clean installing from an MCT USB stick.

UPDATE: Clean-installed with no internet (or any network) connection. Using local account, I went to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and left it on 'Unable to reach Windows activation servers. Attached network cable and connected to local network and thus to the internet. Windows reactivated immediately, I mean within seconds.

This laptop was originally Windows 8 so I assume it does have a Windows 8 product key embedded in the UEFI. Would that have been the reason?

Now I'm really wondering... so have grabbed an HP ProBook 6545b that was originally Windows 7. This will take a bit longer to wipe and clean install.

UPDATE: Hmmm... I'm using the same MCT USB stick as before but this time it asked for a product key (so I chose the 'I don't have a product key' link) and also asked me to choose the edition of Windows 10... so I'm going to put 'Pro' back on again. I don't know why the newer Dell laptop didn't ask these 2 questions... unless it checks the BIOS/UEFI. Anyway, I chose 'custom' again, deleted the partitions and installed.

This time the wi-fi card was recognised so I connected to the internet... and yet again Windows was reactivated within seconds automatically.

Please feel free to duplicate my tests but I'm confident that even using just a local account, Windows 10 re-activates automatically if a 'digital licence' has been stored previously.

Rick

Brink · 17 Aug 2017

It would be interesting to hear the results from the W7 PC that doesn't have an embedded key to rule out a possible free upgrade activation from the embedded W8 key.

RickC · 17 Aug 2017

Hi Brink,

Brink said:

It would be interesting to hear the results from the W7 PC that doesn't have an embedded key to rule out a possible free upgrade activation from the embedded W8 key.

Just this minute finished and edited my earlier post. The HP laptop's older and with HDD, not SSD, so it took a lot longer. Anyway, it worked and reactivated automatically. :)

I'm sat here looking at the 'Activation' screen and notice it says:

Add a Microsoft account
Your Microsoft account unlocks benefits that make your experience with Windows better, including the ability to reactivate Windows 10 on this device.

But I've just proved to myself twice-over that an MSA just isn't necessary. I hope you get the chance to confirm this for yourself.

Rick

Brink · 17 Aug 2017

It'll be interesting to hear what others have experienced on a PC that doesn't have an embedded key and not using a MSA with a digital license linked to it.

daniellouwrens · 27 Nov 2017

Hi

please clarify for me, once I have deleted all the partitions on Drive 0 and begin the install, Windows will create the recovery etc partitions?

Is this so and will there be room on the C: drive for other programs?

Thanks

Daniel

cereberus · 27 Nov 2017

daniellouwrens said:

Hi

please clarify for me, once I have deleted all the partitions on Drive 0 and begin the install, Windows will create the recovery etc partitions?

Is this so and will there be room on the C: drive for other programs?

Thanks

Daniel

Windows 10 recovery partitions are not like classic recovery partition s which take up liots of GBs. They only contain the software to rebuild OS from folders inside C drive and are approx 0.5GB.

The instalker does everything.