How to Clean install windows 10 from USB for FREE 2024

This article covers how to clean install Windows 10 in an attempt to address serious problems with your computer.

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A clean installation of Windows 10 is the best option to reinstall, upgrade or set up a new computer. If you experience serious problems with Windows 10, or all other software troubleshooting you have tried has been unsuccessful, A clean install returns your computer to Fresh new. Performing clean install Windows 10 erase the previous installation and setup a new fresh copy of the operating system. This post explores, how to install Windows 10 from USB or Install windows 10 on new Hard drive.

A clean install returns your computer to pretty much the same state it was in the first day you turned it on.

Windows 10 System Requirements

Before Installing windows 10 on new hard drive or performing a clean Install Windows 10 first make sure your computer hardware meets the minimum system requirements.

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Here are the official system requirements for installing Windows 10.

  • Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC.
  • RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit.
  • Hard disk space: Microsoft recommends 32 GB of free space for both 32-bit or 64-bit OS.
  • Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
  • Display: 800×600.

Or you can run Windows 10 update assistant on your computer to check if your device is compatible install windows 10.

Windows 10 update assistant compatibility

Prepare for windows 10 installation

Well, to install Windows 10 from USB or perform clean installation we need installation media such as bootable USB or DVD. If you don’t have here how to create an installation media like DVD or Make your USB bootable.

Also, Make sure to back up all your data or move to a safe location because during installation the system drive data will be erased.

Check you have a 64-bit or 32-bit processor (CPU), To check this on your PC, go to PC info in PC settings or System in Control Panel, and look for a System type.

Windows 10 detects and installs most device drivers automatically. But the safer side we recommend downloading and save the essential drivers for the network adapter and graphics card, in case the setup fails to add these drivers correctly.

Installing Windows 10 from USB

When you are ready to install Windows 10 from USB insert it into your PC. Next step you have to Set your BIOS setting your computer to boot from a DVD or USB Drive.

Access BIOS setup

Restart the system while restart press F2, F12, Or del key (depending on your system manufacturer, Most of the time Del key or F2 key access the BIOS setup.) to enter the Boot Options Setup.

Here you will have to change the boot order.

  • If your device uses Secure Boot/UEFI, you will have to change it to Legacy.
  • Disable Secure Boot, enable the Legacy option and set the Boot List option to Legacy.
  • Use the 4 arrow keys on your keyboard, navigate to the Boot tab and change the settings.
  • Next move set CD/DVD or USB Storage Device to the first position and set it to be the first device to boot from.

BIOS options

After making the changes press the F10 key to make save changes. Once you have done this, with your USB connected or media drive to your laptop/ desktop, restart the System. And press any key to boot from the USB installation media.

Start Windows 10 Installation

  • Now your computer will boot from the installation media and display the following screen.
  • Choose the Language to install, the Time & Currency format, and the Keyboard or Input method, and click on Next.

Select the language screen

  • On the next window click on Install Now.

Install now

  • Now type the product key if this is your first time installing Windows 10.
  • If you’re reinstalling the OS, you can click the I don’t have a product key option to continue.

dont have product key windows 10

  • Next Select the edition of Windows 10, Here make sure to select the edition of your product key activates.

Choose windows edition

  • On the next screen checkmark, I accept the license terms option and click next to continue.

windows 10 setup accept the license terms

  • Now select the type of installation you want. Do you want to upgrade your existing Windows installation and keep the files and settings, or do you want to Custom install Windows?
  • Since we want to go in for a fresh or clean install Windows 10, select Custom Install. Also, you need to select this option if you are installing Windows 10 on new hard drive

windows 10 custom install

  • Next, you will be asked the Partition where you want to install Windows 10.
  • Select your partition carefully and click Next, If you did not create a partition earlier, this setup wizard also lets you create one now.

Create partition

  • After Create partitions select the drive you want to install Windows and click next.
  • Once you complete the steps, the setup will proceed with the fresh installation of Windows 10 on the device.

Installing Windows 10

It will copy setup files, install features, install updates if any, and finally clean up the residual installation files. Once this is done, your PC will restart.

Configure Windows 10 Installation

Then perform getting the device Ready it will take some time to complete 100%. Next Windows 10 will ask you a few basic questions about your preferences. Before completing the installation and taking you to the Windows 10 desktop.

  • Select your Region and then the keyboard layout,
  • Select the option Set up for personal use, 
  • Next, type your Microsoft account information to create an account, Also there is the option “offline account” to create a local user account.

Read the difference between Windows 10 Local user account vs Microsoft account.

Create Windows 10 account at setup

  • Customize and Select your privacy settings Click the Accept button.
  • That’s all the settings you selected will apply to the installation, and the desktop should now appear.
  • Now after installation is complete, we have to Activate the windows to access full features.

Activate Windows 10

If you have upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 or 7 most time this will Activate windows automatically. And for the users who perform a clean installation and purchased a genuine Windows 10 license key, you can use the same to activate Windows 10.

You can simply activate Windows 10 by going to Settings -> Update & Security -> Activation and selecting Change Product Key.  Here enter your product key.

change product key on windows 10

Installing Windows 10 from USB drive is super easy, I hope this helps. The Above steps are also applicable to installing Windows 10 on new hard drive. Have any queries or if anything is missing feel free to comment below.

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Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.

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