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Yes, 100% of our licenses are genuine Microsoft products sourced directly from authorized channels. Every license comes with full Microsoft support and lifetime validity.

How fast is the delivery after purchase?

We provide instant digital delivery. Your license key will be delivered to your email within seconds after payment confirmation. No waiting, no shipping delays.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, and cryptocurrency payments. All transactions are secured with SSL encryption.

Do you offer customer support?

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Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied with your purchase or experience any issues with activation, we'll provide a full refund.

Can I use the license on multiple devices?

It depends on the product. Single-device licenses can be used on one PC. We also offer multi-device packs (5 PC) for families and businesses that need multiple installations.

Windows 10 Clean Install: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Fresh start your PC with a clean Windows 10 installation for better performance and reliability

Last updated: December 2024

Quick Summary

Back up all important files before starting – a clean install erases everything
You'll need a USB drive (8GB+) and your Windows 10 product key
The process takes 30-60 minutes depending on your hardware
A clean install can fix performance issues and remove bloatware

What Is a Windows 10 Clean Install?

A clean install completely erases your hard drive and installs a fresh copy of Windows 10. Unlike an upgrade or reset, it removes all previous files, programs, settings, and any malware or bloatware. This gives you a "like new" Windows experience with optimal performance.

When Should You Do a Clean Install?

A clean install is recommended in these situations:

Your PC is running slowly despite troubleshooting efforts
You're experiencing frequent crashes or blue screens
Your system is infected with malware that won't go away
You're selling or giving away your computer
You want to remove pre-installed bloatware
You're upgrading to a new SSD or hard drive
Windows has accumulated too many issues over time

Windows 10 Clean Install: Requirements

Before you begin, make sure you have:

USB flash drive (8GB or larger)

Will be formatted, so back up any data on it

Windows 10 product key

Check your email, PC sticker, or Microsoft account

Internet connection

For downloading Windows and updates

Backup of important files

Documents, photos, bookmarks, etc.

List of software to reinstall

Note down all programs you use regularly

30-60 minutes of time

Installation time varies by hardware speed

Step 1: Back Up Your Important Files

This is the most critical step. A clean install will erase everything on your drive. Back up:

Documents & Files

Documents, Downloads, Desktop, Pictures, Videos, Music folders

Browser Data

Bookmarks, saved passwords (export to file or sync to account)

Application Settings

Game saves, app preferences, license keys

Email

Export emails if using desktop client (Outlook PST files)

Backup Methods:

External hard drive or USB drive – Simple drag and drop
Cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox) – Automatic sync
Windows File History – Built-in backup feature

Step 2: Create Windows 10 Installation USB

Download and create a bootable USB drive using Microsoft's official tool:

1Go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows10
2Click "Download tool now" to get the Media Creation Tool
3Run the tool and accept the license terms
4Select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)"
5Choose your language, edition (Windows 10), and architecture (64-bit recommended)
6Select "USB flash drive" and choose your USB drive
7Wait for the download and creation to complete (may take 30+ minutes)

Step 3: Find Your Windows 10 Product Key

You'll need your product key to activate Windows after installation. Here's where to find it:

Pre-installed Windows

Key is embedded in BIOS – may activate automatically

Microsoft account

Retail purchase

Check your email receipt or product packaging

PC sticker

Look for a Certificate of Authenticity sticker

Command Prompt

Run: wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

Step 4: Boot from USB Drive

Configure your PC to boot from the USB installation drive:

1Insert the Windows 10 USB drive into your PC
2Restart your computer
3Press the boot menu key during startup (usually F12, F2, ESC, or DEL – varies by manufacturer)
4Select your USB drive from the boot menu
5Press any key when prompted to "Press any key to boot from USB"

Common Boot Menu Keys by Manufacturer:

Dell

F12

F9 or ESC

Lenovo

F12

ASUS

F8 or ESC

Acer

F12

MSI

F11

Step 5: Install Windows 10

Follow these steps to complete the clean installation:

1Select your language, time format, and keyboard layout, then click "Next"
2Click "Install now"
3Enter your product key (or click "I don't have a product key" to enter later)
4Select your Windows 10 edition (Home or Pro) – must match your license
5Accept the license terms and click "Next"
6Choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" for a clean install
7Select the drive/partition where you want to install Windows
8Delete existing partitions if you want a completely fresh start (warning: erases all data)
9Select the unallocated space and click "Next"
10Wait for Windows to install and restart (may restart several times)

Step 6: Complete Windows 10 Setup

After installation, complete the initial Windows setup:

1Select your region and keyboard layout
2Connect to your Wi-Fi network (or skip for now)
3Sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account
4Choose your privacy settings (you can customize these)
5Wait for Windows to finish setting up your desktop
6Check for and install Windows Updates (Settings > Update & Security)

Step 7: Activate Windows 10

If Windows didn't activate automatically, follow these steps:

1Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation
2Click "Change product key" and enter your 25-character key
3Click "Activate" and wait for confirmation
4If linked to your Microsoft account, click "Troubleshoot" and select "I changed hardware"

Activation Tips:

Digital licenses linked to your Microsoft account often activate automatically
If you upgraded from Windows 7/8, your digital license should still work
OEM keys (pre-installed) may only work on the original computer
Retail keys can be transferred to a new PC (must deactivate old one first)

Step 8: Post-Installation Setup

After activation, complete these important tasks:

Install Windows Updates

Run Windows Update multiple times until no updates remain

Install drivers

Visit your PC manufacturer's website for latest drivers

Install essential software

Restore your backed-up programs and files

Configure settings

Personalize display, privacy, and power settings

Enable system protection

Create restore points for future recovery

Set up backup

Configure File History or another backup solution

Common Clean Install Issues & Solutions

USB not detected in boot menu

Solution: Try a different USB port (USB 2.0 if available), or disable Secure Boot in BIOS

No drives found during installation

Solution: Load storage drivers from manufacturer's website during setup

Installation stuck at logo

Solution: Wait at least 30 minutes – may be downloading updates

Product key not accepted

Solution: Verify edition matches your key (Home vs Pro)

Activation fails after install

Solution: Connect to internet and wait 24 hours, or use phone activation

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a clean install delete all my files?

Yes, a clean install completely erases everything on the drive where you install Windows. This includes all files, programs, and settings. That's why backing up your important data before starting is absolutely essential.

Do I need a product key for a clean install?

You'll need a product key to activate Windows, but you can skip entering it during installation and activate later. If you have a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, Windows may activate automatically when you sign in.

How long does a Windows 10 clean install take?

The installation itself typically takes 20-45 minutes depending on your hardware. However, including backup, USB creation, and post-installation setup, plan for 2-3 hours total.

Can I do a clean install without a USB drive?

Yes, you can use the "Reset this PC" feature (Settings > Update & Security > Recovery) and select "Remove everything" with the "Clean the drive" option. However, a USB install is cleaner and more reliable for major issues.

Will my Windows 10 license work after a clean install?

Yes, if you're reinstalling on the same PC. Digital licenses are tied to your hardware and Microsoft account. Retail licenses can be transferred to new hardware. OEM licenses (pre-installed) are tied to the original motherboard.

Should I choose 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10?

Choose 64-bit for any modern PC (made after 2010). 64-bit Windows can use more than 4GB of RAM and runs most modern software. Only choose 32-bit for very old computers with limited RAM.

Need a Windows 10 License?

If you need a new product key for your clean install, we offer genuine Windows 10 Pro licenses with instant delivery and lifetime activation support.

Note: With Windows 10 support ending October 14, 2025, consider upgrading to Windows 11 for continued security updates.

View Windows 10 Pro License View Windows 11 Pro

Related Windows 10 Guides

Pro vs Home

Backup & Recovery

Activation Troubleshooting

End of Support

Upgrade to Windows 11

Security Tips

View all Windows 10 guides

Official sources: Microsoft Windows 10 Download