Clean install

[marcg868]

Wondering if it's a good idea to do a clean install of windows 10.
I got my PC in 2016 and it had a fx6300 onboard. I then replaced it with a i5 7600k and new motherboard.
Now I thought I'd got rid of the drivers for all the old equipment but I'm not so sure.
Just wondering would wiping everything and installing windows 10 be a good idea?

And can I just download the drivers for my Rx480 from the web once I've got it going?
Plus I fancy starting a fresh, as if I've got a new system.

 

[Jamin280672]

Wondering if it's a good idea to do a clean install of windows 10.
I got my PC in 2016 and it had a fx6300 onboard. I then replaced it with a i5 7600k and new motherboard.
Now I thought I'd got rid of the drivers for all the old equipment but I'm not so sure.
Just wondering would wiping everything and installing windows 10 be a good idea?

And can I just download the drivers for my Rx480 from the web once I've got it going?
Plus I fancy starting a fresh, as if I've got a new system.

I would always do a clean install when upgrading a major part like a motherboard, wouldnt bother with just a CPU change, but motherboard is a big yes, even when going Intel to Intel.Windows 10 does have a factory reset option built into it which is the same as a fresh start, which I think its actually called lol, it will remove everything and just set Windows up from the beginning itself, its in settings - update and security - recovery - reset this PC or more recovery options - learn how to start a afresh with a clean install of windows - fresh start - get started.

 

[marcg868]

I would always do a clean install when upgrading a major part like a motherboard, wouldnt bother with just a CPU change, but motherboard is a big yes, even when going Intel to Intel.Windows 10 does have a factory reset option built into it which is the same as a fresh start, which I think its actually called lol, it will remove everything and just set Windows up from the beginning itself, its in settings - update and security - recovery - reset this PC or more recovery options - learn how to start a afresh with a clean install of windows - fresh start - get started.

Will do that then. Will I need a new windows key? Or will it just wipe everything bar windows?
Very new to this. Just fancy a fresh start and reinstall all my steam games.

 

[Jamin280672]

Will do that then. Will I need a new windows key? Or will it just wipe everything bar windows?
Very new to this. Just fancy a fresh start and reinstall all my steam games.

I think it will just wipe everything bar windows, works a lot like an android phone for instance, resets everything, but the OS remains, just all personal data, settings, apps, drivers etc, anything you added yourself is gone, make sure you backup anything you want to keep.

As for the key, depending on which type of license you have, if its the retail edition, you can use your old key, if its oem, then you will need a new key, however, you'll be able to find out if you have a look n the activation menu now, if it still says windows is activated with a digital license connected to your account, then you are good to go, because the change of motherboard should have triggered that, if its deactivated, then just get an oem key off fleabay, costs about £3.50-£5 for oem key only, instant delivery via messages / email.

 

[marcg868]

I think it will just wipe everything bar windows, works a lot like an android phone for instance, resets everything, but the OS remains, just all personal data, settings, apps, drivers etc, anything you added yourself is gone, make sure you backup anything you want to keep.

As for the key, depending on which type of license you have, if its the retail edition, you can use your old key, if its oem, then you will need a new key, however, you'll be able to find out if you have a look n the activation menu now, if it still says windows is activated with a digital license connected to your account, then you are good to go, because the change of motherboard should have triggered that, if its deactivated, then just get an oem key off fleabay, costs about £3.50-£5 for oem key only, instant delivery via messages / email.

Also last questions. I have a ssd and hdd windows is on the ssd plus I filled it with other crap, I also installed steam on it, plus in the hdd. Will I be ok keeping files on my hdd and then doing the clean install on the ssd or should I just wipe/delete both?

 

[Jamin280672]

Also last questions. I have a ssd and hdd windows is on the ssd plus I filled it with other crap, I also installed steam on it, plus in the hdd. Will I be ok keeping files on my hdd and then doing the clean install on the ssd or should I just wipe/delete both?

I would start fresh on both, I just use you HDD for back-up's then have 2 x m.2 drives, one for windows and programs and the other one contains my steam library and other games only.

you can wipe the HDD inside windows before you do a clean install, but after you have wiped it, unplug it, just the data cable, then sort windows out and plug it back in, otherwise during install, you'll find the windows installation has dumped some files on it.

 

[marcg868]

OK so wipe it inside windows, back up any files. Then format it.
Collect drivers (motherboard, Graphics card)
Turn off PC enter bios, change to boot from USB.
Do clean install
Restart and change boot from ssd (windows installed)
Do I then stick my PC into my router to install windows updates?
Then install all drivers
Then steam etc.

 

[ANDARIAL]

What i would do
Backup ANY files you want to keep to an external hdd or whatever
Download and burn to usb or dvd a W10 iso (same as your existing OS i.e. if pro,home etc)
format hdd then unplug

Turn off PC enter bios, change to boot from USB
make sure you have all drivers you might need(W10 usually has all but just in case)

 

[Jamin280672]

OK so wipe it inside windows, back up any files. Then format it.
Collect drivers (motherboard, Graphics card)
Turn off PC enter bios, change to boot from USB.
Do clean install
Restart and change boot from ssd (windows installed)
Do I then stick my PC into my router to install windows updates?
Then install all drivers
Then steam etc.

Backup first then wipe the HDD, turn off the pc, unplug the HDD data cable, switch on and enter the bios, change to boot from USB, do a clean install.

I never unplug my router, any drivers you install will just overwrite the windows ones anyway.