Windows 10 Fresh Install--What do I Need To know?

[violetspectrum]

Hello!

 

I'm looking to do a fresh install from Windows 7 to Windows 10, meaning no more apps, drivers, files, etc. Clean! I've heard a mix of what to do while upgrading to achieve this. Do I perform the upgrade, then while in the new Windows 10, use the program again as this article* is suggesting (albeit very vaguely?)

 

 

* http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/31/9077997/microsoft-windows-10-clean-install-how-to-guide

[Emanuel_M]

when you upgrade choose to not bring any files.

[JefferyD90]

You need to do a "Upgrade" install first... this will get your Windows 7 activation to register as a Windows 10 activation (it will be attached to your Microsoft account).

 

Once you have done the upgrade install, THEN, you can do a clean install and get Windows 10 activated.

 

Follow my guide in my signature if you need help.  It is based around Windows 8.1, but it will mostly apply to Windows 10 as well.

[JefferyD90]

when you upgrade choose to not bring any files.

Still not a clean install.

[violetspectrum]

when you upgrade choose to not bring any files.

 

What if I don't get that option, as is what happened to my friend?

[Emanuel_M]

What if I don't get that option, as is what happened to my friend?

 

before you upgrade, there will be a choice to change options, and you can pick to not bring any files over.

[DEDRICK]

before you upgrade, there will be a choice to change options, and you can pick to not bring any files over.

 

Not clean enough.

 

Upgrade, make sure you have activated, then reformat.  You don't need a CD key, you just press skip...obviously you will need a USB or DVD installer from the Microsoft website though

[violetspectrum]

You need to do a "Upgrade" install first... this will get your Windows 7 activation to register as a Windows 10 activation (it will be attached to your Microsoft account).

 

Once you have done the upgrade install, THEN, you can do a clean install and get Windows 10 activated.

 

Follow my guide in my signature if you need help.  It is based around Windows 8.1, but it will mostly apply to Windows 10 as well.

 

But where do you even get the Windows 10 ISO? I already know how to do a clean install of Windows 7. How are these going to help when upgrading and desiring a fresh Windows 10 install?

[violetspectrum]

Not clean enough.

 

Upgrade, make sure you have activated, then reformat.  You don't need a CD key, you just press skip...obviously you will need a USB or DVD installer from the Microsoft website though

 

What if the program to get the Windows 10 ISO doesn't work? Apparently this is happening to my friend right now and they can't solve this problem. The Windows Updating program ceases to work and never gets to the second half of the Windows 10 clean install. They have Windows 10, but it isn't a fresh install. I do NOT want to run into the same problem.

[hiddenjumprope]

To explain my problem better that Violet is trying to explain:

Last night I used this: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO to try to get a bootable flash drive.

 

First time I tried to get it on my flash drive, it told me that "error occurred". Every time after that (tried two different 8gb flash drives), even when just trying to save the ISO (to burn onto a dvd later), it shows a little loading screen then the program crashes/kills itself, without writing anything.

I have deleted and re-downloaded the .exe

[violetspectrum]

As it stands, it is still very unclear how to achieve a true fresh install when upgrading to Windows 10, or, how to reformat once upgraded to Windows 10 period. For those of us who like a clean slate every now and then, this is a PROBLEM.

[JefferyD90]

But where do you even get the Windows 10 ISO? I already know how to do a clean install of Windows 7. How are these going to help when upgrading and desiring a fresh Windows 10 install?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

 

Follow these tools.

[violetspectrum]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

 

Follow these tools.

 

This tells me nothing about how to avoid any hiccups creating a clean install without messing something up.

[JefferyD90]

This tells me nothing about how to avoid any hiccups creating a clean install without messing something up.

Well, follow my guide in my signature.

[violetspectrum]

Well, follow my guide in my signature.

 

Have you tried this guide on Windows 10 yet? How can I be sure it will work always?

[JefferyD90]

Have you tried this guide on Windows 10 yet? How can I be sure it will work always?

Sir, I can only give you so much help before you're going to have to just do it yourself.  Follow the guide.

[mstef]

Have you tried this guide on Windows 10 yet? How can I be sure it will work always?

This guide works perfect on Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 & 10. And before asking again- YES, I DID try it for a clean install of Win 10... In fact, the important parts of this guide are only 2:

1- To choose "Custom" installation.

2- To delete old partitions and create them again... 

[hiddenjumprope]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

 

Follow these tools.

I've tried this many times, program closes out before writing any information. I have no idea why. See my post above for more info.

[PoLoMoTo]

AMD's windows 10 drivers are shit right now, they cause a thirty second black screen before login

[PoLoMoTo]

Have you tried this guide on Windows 10 yet? How can I be sure it will work always?

I have done a clean install of windows 10 about six times on my computer without issue. The simple truth here is that nothing is guarranteed when it comes to installing windows, try it or don't try it but don't say it doesn't work if you haven't.