This is the first time I've done something like this. Below are the steps I plan to follow. Can anyhow point out something which I have missed? Check the corresponding methods in different scenarios:. If you are trying to reset your PC for re-using, you can take step 1 into account. And if your computer is about to sell or donate, apply step 1 and step 2 before reformatting. The reformat will completely erase your data so that data recovery software unable to do anything for you.
You'd better do a hard disk backup using a USB flash drive or another external hard drive. If selling your PC to other users is down the line, I'm sure you don't want anyone to dig out your private photos and files with data recovery software. To encrypt your SSD is the way to go, which prevents files from being restored. Step 1. Click the Windows icon on the left corner of the screen.
And then go to "Settings". Step 5. If you are trying to sell your computer to get crash, choose to "Remove everything". Before updating, please refer to the Windows release information status for known issues to confirm your device is not impacted. The Update Assistant can help you update to the latest version of Windows To get started, click Update now.
To get started, you will first need to have a licence to install Windows You can then download and run the media creation tool. For more information on how to use the tool, see the instructions below. Note : Before you install Windows 10, check to make sure your PC meets the system requirements for Windows We also recommend going to the PC manufacturer's website for any additional info about updated drivers and hardware compatibility.
Follow these steps to create installation media USB flash drive or DVD you can use to install a new copy of Windows 10, perform a clean installation, or reinstall Windows If you have Office or earlier and choose to perform a clean install of Windows 10, you will need to locate your Office product key.
For tips on locating your product key, check Find your Office product key or Enter the product key for your Office program. Select the language, edition, and architecture bit or bit for Windows After completing the steps to install Windows 10, please check that you have all the necessary device drivers installed. Note: Drivers for Surface devices may be found on the Download drivers and firmware for Surface page. To open a boot menu or change the boot order, you'll typically need to press a key such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc immediately after you turn on your PC.
For instructions on accessing the boot menu or changing the boot order for your PC, check the documentation that came with your PC or go to the manufacturer's website. If changing the boot menu or order doesn't work, and your PC immediately boots into the OS you want to replace, it is possible the PC had not fully shut down. To ensure the PC fully shuts down, select the power button on the sign-in screen or on the Start menu and select Shut down.
If you downloaded an ISO file for Windows 10, the file is saved locally at the location you selected. If you have a third-party DVD burning program installed on your computer that you prefer to use for creating the installation DVD, that program might open by going to the location where the file is saved and double-clicking the ISO file, or right-click the ISO file, select Open with and choose your preferred DVD burning software.
Right-click the ISO file and select Properties. Then right-click the ISO file and select Burn disc image. Back up. Reformat the machine. Reinstall Linux from scratch. Reinstall applications from scratch. Recover your data. It offers the option to delete partitions.
This has the same effect as formatting in that everything is deleted. I have two computers that were originally running Win 7. One was upgraded to Win 8, then 8. It had only one partition with Win 7. I used my Requiem Recovery disk up to the option to delete partitions. Once I deleted the extra partition, I closed the recovery disk.
Win 8 worked without the extra partition, which I learned contained the information to roll back to Win 7. Win 10 also added this partition, which I deleted the same way. So, Win 10 now has the entire drive as one partition. They were wrong. That only applies to the System Reserved partition, not the Recovery partition. When I tried to upgrade the other computer, it would not upgrade for some unknown reason.
I reloaded Win 7 and finally to Win Checking, I found three partitions — two of which I could not delete. Also, the Win 10 installation was not activated. I again used the Requiem Recovery disk to delete all three partitions and started over.
Win 7 installed using only one partition and was properly registered. It gave me the option to re-install Win 10, which I chose. This time Win 10 installed properly and was activated. I used Requiem again to remove the unnecessary recovery partition. Now both computers are running activated Win 10 using only one partition. Of course, once each was set up, I made an image of it before adding anything else — and again after everything was re-installed. Leo, I really appreciate your telling us about Requiem.
I use the Free version, which is pretty straight forward with easy to follow instructions. Leo has little or no control over the ads that appear on Ask Leo!. I just said he was the one that let me know about it. He had an article describing how to use the paid version, which was my guide to the free one.
Later he gave the same information for another backup program. Leo does not make recommendations regarding any particular product — he just lets us know about them.
That is one thing I appreciate and respect. NOTE: I am not recommending it, either. Just providing information on how it can be used to clean a drive. Team Leo: I tried reverting back to Windows 7 from 10 due to some optional hardware that no longer had drivers.
Since I was well past the thirty-day revert option I decided to delete partitions and reinstall Windows 7 from the DVD. So, I deleted the partitions and did a clean install. Windows went through all the steps of selecting a partition, etc. This was originally a Windows 7 computer. Any idea what is going on and how I might fix it? This is a UEFI machine, though I have no knowledge of what that really means or if it would affect my Windows installation … which I assume it would not.
So, I had a thought almost as soon as I posted my above question. For clarification, I should say that the laptop I am using was a work computer for a company that upgraded. I received one of the discards. I am wondering if the issue is the fact that the standard Windows 7 installation program does not have the drivers necessary for this machine, which is prompting it to give me the above message. If so, how do I go about loading in the drivers for a Windows install?
Try booting into command line. Of course, first you would need to download the drivers using another computer. Thank you for your detailed response. I really appreciate the direction you given me. Fingers are crossed! Thank you for your quick response. I now want to build a new machine and donate the old one to my local school if they want it after I DBAN the hard drive of-course.
My question is: Can I transfer the Windows 10 Pro license to the new machine or will I have to buy a new license? Thanks for the advise. Or is there specific language in the EULA that when you upgrade, you choose to give up the portability you were previously entitled to? Or can you simply install the original Windows 7 or 8? OEM licenses as I understand it are not portable to begin with. I lost patience yesterday with Windows 10 when I was told that certain software would not work with the version of Windows.
It was past the thirty days after installing a Windows 10, not an upgrade. I have built computers and always included a Windows disk. I went into recovery in Windows 10 and found the option to go back to the last operating system when available. I inserted the Windows 7 Professional system disk and turned off the computer and restarted and the familiar hit any key on the keyboard came up and the Windows 7 proceeded to install.
I only use or have one partition on my computer. I put anything I want to save on DVD. I was surprised to find out that this was possible, to go back to an earlier version of Windows. For some time I have been googling the problem. It contains this: BIT
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