I want to format my hdd and start fresh - best way?

wez130

wez130

wez130

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Hi, i'm currently on Windows 10 Pro, it was from the free upgrade from windows 8.1, i've just trawled through my emails to find the original key from when i bought 8.1 back in 2014, so, what's the best way, do i just download windows 10 pro, or do i have to find 8.1 then upgrade through that?

I'm sorry, i'm a bit out of the loop these days lol.

Thanks
 
Cheers, so what's the best way of doing it? I've downloaded the ISO to my usb key, do i just go through that, or format the drive and reboot from USB?

Lol, i'm so out of touch these days!
 
Not done this myself, but what about the Windows reset function.

Settings > Update & security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get started > Remove everything.

Remove everything
  • Reinstalls Windows 10 and removes all your personal files.
  • Removes apps and drivers you installed.
  • Removes changes you made to settings.
  • Removes any apps your PC manufacturer installed. (If your PC came with Windows 10, apps from your PC manufacturer will be reinstalled.)
If you're planning to donate, recycle, or sell your PC, use this option and choose to fully clean the drive. This might take an hour or two, but it makes it harder for other people to recover files you've removed.
Click to expand...
 
Personally I prefer a full reinstall, and typically on a mid to high end PC the whole process only take 20mins now.
 
Not that windows 10 gives a lot of driver control, but I would note down principal drivers+versions being used on your existing system,
and probbaly take a mirror off of current disc ? (perhaps the latter was a given, by others who replied)
 
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