Best way to fresh install Windows; Factory reset or clean install?

[Astro22]

tl;dr: What is the best way to have a fresh windows install; build-in factory reset option or clean install with media creation tool?

My PC always has had some weird software quirks but nothing too alarming.

I recently upgraded to Windows 11 (I know... probably should have waited) and my gaming performance has dropped considerably.

I do not have a Ryzen CPU but an i5-9500K (full specs below). When I try searching for performance differences between Windows 10 and 11 there shouldn't be too much difference, at least for me.

 

I decided to wipe my system to remove any potential software issues. What is the safest and best way to do it? I'm thinking that a factory reset is less thorough than a clean install off of a USB stick.

 

Specs:

• GPU: GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 2070 Super WINDFORCE OC 8G
• CPU: i5-9600k
• RAM: 16GB 2666
• C-drive: Samsung 970 EVO plus, 250GB M.2 SSD
• Power Supply: GIGABYTE B700H
• Motherboard: AsRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 4
• Case: Sharkoon VG6-W Red

[da na]

IMO clean install is the way to go. Back up any data if needed then do a clean install. 

[GuiltySpark_]

Without question, making an install USB using the official media creation tool and wiping the drive with a fresh install.

[Astro22]

Just now, Mel0nMan said:

IMO clean install is the way to go. Back up any data if needed then do a clean install. 

Thought so too, just needed some confirmation. Thank you!

[jaslion]

12 minutes ago, Astro22 said:

Thought so too, just needed some confirmation. Thank you!

Clean install all the way.

 

It's quite simple why. A factory reset will just try to load everything from existing files back to default. But if some of the files are damaged, missing, altered,... you won't end up fixing the problem as not even all gets put back to factory default.

 

Hence why standard is always the best.