Reset Window 10

[JimmyDazzler79]

Hi all,

So I just ordered a new PC. I am looking to give my current one to my son but I would like to make sure its running its best beforehand so I am thinking resetting it, and cleaning it up might be a good idea. Getting rid of all the cr*p I have on it.

Windows 10, bought here about 6 years ago. As far as I remember I don't have a windows key.

This is the machine for anyone interested. Still runs good.

PC Specialist Define X1 Review | bit-tech.net

A GTX 1080, super-fast M.2 SSD, 16GB 3,000MHz RAM and an overclocked Core i7-6700K.

bit-tech.net

What is the best way to go about this reset/clean up?

Thanks in advance
Graeme

 

[SpyderTracks]

Best method is a clean install.

If you were logging in with a Microsoft account, then the license will be tied to that account. If you were just using a local account, the the license is tied to the machine but the key is actually embedded in the BIOS and it will auto register once it's on the Internet, you don't need to worry about inputting a key.

 

[JimmyDazzler79]

I don't log into anything so I assume it's embedded.

Is a reset easy to do?

I am not very confident at doing these things. Will all my drivers just update to latest versions after reset and connected to Internet?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Is a reset easy to do?

A reset isn't the best idea, it will leave behind any flaws that are currently in the system.

A Clean install is the best option, it's very easy, takes about 30 minutes. You can create a bootable USB with the latest windows version direct from microsoft by selecting "create windows 11 media": https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

Then you use windows update to install any updates, and plus use optional updates to install system drivers. Then separately install GPU drivers direct from the manufacturer.

 

[DarkPaladin]

1. Download the Windows Media Creation tool: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
2. Format a USB with minimum 8GB+ of space
3. Install it to the newly formatted USB
4. Restart your PC and enter the BIOS with the USB inserted into the PC
5. Change your boot order to the USB
6. Agree to the Windows 10 ToC and click Install Now
7. Navigate to Custom Install
8. Delete all of the partitions (if you want to remove ALL data from all of your drives)
9. Install Windows 10 to your fastest drive (this will be the 256GB Samsung Drive)
10. Give it a few minutes to install
11. Follow the Windows instructions
12. When you're at the desktop, go to your motherboard vendor's website to download the drivers: https://www.asus.com/uk/supportonly/z170_pro_gaming/helpdesk_download/
13. If you don't have an ethernet cable or Wi-Fi driver, download these drivers and the NVIDIA drivers from step 15 to another USB so you can install them without internet connectivity
14. I would download and install the Chipset, LAN, Realtek, and USB drivers
15. Download the NVIDIA GPU drivers and install them: https://www.nvidia.co.uk/download/driverResults.aspx/210529/en-uk
16. Once these drivers have been installed, navigate to Windows > Update and let Windows update your PC. This may take a while as it'll require multiple restarts
17. Once this has finished, your PC should be cleanly installed. You can then install the various applications and perform Windows optimisations to get the PC at its best performance

 

[SpyderTracks]

I wouldn't worry about going to the vendors sites for drivers other than GPU, these days windows update via optional updates will almost certainly install all required drivers.

But it is worth pre downloading network drivers just in case.

 

[B4zookaw]

I wouldn't worry about going to the vendors sites for drivers other than GPU, these days windows update via optional updates will almost certainly install all required drivers.

But it is worth pre downloading network drivers just in case.

Not always, sometimes WU can fail to detect wifi and bt devices, so you need to use drivers from Asus, etc. Sometimes it's as bad as not installing the correct chipset drivers...

 

[SpyderTracks]

Not always, sometimes WU can fail to detect wifi and bt devices, so you need to use drivers from Asus, etc. Sometimes it's as bad as not installing the correct chipset drivers...

Yep, agreed, why i said it's worth pre downloading network drivers.

 

[ubuysa]

FWIW The problems that you sometimes have with Windows Update not installing drivers is not the fault of WIidows Update, it's the fault of the hardware vendors. Drivers get into Windows update only when the hardware vendors submit them to Microsoft. All drivers submitted must have passed the Microsoft WHQL tests, which the vendors have to do themselves. When the driver is submitted, the vendor marks it as 'automatic' or 'manual'. Drivers marked 'automatic' are installed by Windows Update during normal processing. Drivers marked 'manual' are added to the optional drivers list and must be installed manually.

It's thus up to the hardware vendors to get things right. They first must submit the driver to Microsoft and they must get the automatic/manual selection right - for ALL users. And they have to be proactive and submit drivers for all new products they release. Graphics drivers are a particular problem here, because the Windows Update cycles are often too long to include the very latest graphics driver, that's why you'll find everyone recommending that you get the latest driver from Nvidia/AMD yourself.

The major hardware vendors are very good at this, so if you select components in your build from well-known vendors the chances are very good that Windows Update will find all necessary drivers. You may however need to go into 'View optional updates' sometimes and install drivers from there.

It is, as has been said, extremely wise (and good practice) however, to have chipset drivers, LAN drivers and/or WiFi drivers available on a USB drive just in case.