Can I do a clean install after format?

[mckevstah]

I had windows 8 (purchased from the website) and upgraded to windows 10 since launch.
Recently i've been having bad performance, probably linked to me having 3 hard drives all with different versions of windows installed on each one (win7 and a broken version of win 10) and then programs installed on different drives etc etc. It's a real mess.

I've spent a few days now backing up my files and removing unnecessary files and programs. I want to completely format all 3 of my drives and have a completely clean install of windows 10.

Here's my question. Can I do that? I can reinstall windows 8 from the website since I purchased that, but how do I get back to windows 10 now that the free promotion is over? I think I read that I can do it in the windows 10 reset settings, but I want to format my SSD.

 

[Herc08]

Well, you should grab your key before you re-install. Once you do that, just format and install as normal. Thing is, the key is tied to your Microsoft account and should allow you to install with no issues. Make a USB from the Windows Media Creation Tool.

If you want to securely erase everything, I would use DBAN (www.dban.org) to completely wipe everything. But that could take a while with three drives. Also when installing windows from a USB stick, you can format the drives during the installation.

 

[Colif]

1. The key isn't needed anymore, its become a digital entitlement to windows 10 and PC will always let you reinstall Win 10 ona PC its been on before

2. download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB and use it
change bios boot order so USB first, ssd second
You don't need to format drive before you do a clean install, its part of the process. Follow this guide: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

when you get to part asking for a licence, click "I don't have a key" and win 10 will auto activate on install.

Note: When you install win 10 on ssd, remove the other drives or win 10 may put its boot sector on one of them and it will potentially cause pain if that other drive dies later and then you can't boot ssd

I would run dban on the other two drives at some stage.

 

[mckevstah]

Thank you guys