[SOLVED] HELP! Windows Reset Question

[types_s]

I am upgrading my entire PC, but keeping my drives. I have an SSD and a HDD I want to do a fresh reinstall of Windows 10.
Should I do the flash drive method, or use the system reset option Windows has built in?
If I do the option windows has built in, do I do it right now before I upgrade or after I've upgraded?

 

[jojesa]

I am upgrading my entire PC, but keeping my drives. I have an SSD and a HDD I want to do a fresh reinstall of Windows 10.
Should I do the flash drive method, or use the system reset option Windows has built in?
If I do the option windows has built in, do I do it right now before I upgrade or after I've upgraded?

If you are changing to a different motherboard you should perform a clean install to avoid issues.
While installing Windows, just connect the disk where Windows is installed. Afterwards you could add the HDD or any other disks.

 

[USAFRet]

Clean install on the drive in the new system. Not "reset".

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[types_s]

If you are changing to a different motherboard you should perform a clean install to avoid issues.

Okay. I am switching motherboards, do you have experience installing from a flash drive? I actually see the thread about how to do it, but does it erase all data on your drive when it reinstalls? (I want it to)

 

[jojesa]

Okay. I am switching motherboards, do you have experience installing from a flash drive? I actually see the thread about how to do it, but does it erase all data on your drive when it reinstalls? (I want it to)

Yes, a clean installation from a flash drive will erase all data on disk.
Follow these steps:

Get a 8GB or larger USB flash drive.
Go to -> https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10
Click the Download tool now under Create Windows 10 installation media app.
Insert USB flash drive.
Run the media creation tool.
Select Create installation media for another PC.
Choose your language, Windows edition and architecture (64-bit) for Windows 10.
Select the USB flash and click Next.
Windows installation media app will download and create the installation disk. Click Finish.

Disconnect all disk and just leave the disk where Windows will be installed.

Boot from the USB installation disk.
On the "Windows Setup," click the Next button.
Click the Install now button.
On the Activation window, click I don't have a product key option click Next (activate Windows 10 when online using the Windows 7 code).
Select the edition of Windows 10 that matches the one on your PC and click the Next button.
Select the I accept the license terms option to continue.
Click on the Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced) option.
Select and delete all partitions on the SSD. Until you are left with Drive 0 Unallocated Space
Select the empty drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) and click the Next button.
The setup will proceed with a fresh installation of Windows 10.

 

[types_s]

Yes, a clean installation from a flash drive will erase all data on disk.
Follow these steps:

Get a 8GB or larger USB flash drive.
Go to -> https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10
Click the Download tool now under Create Windows 10 installation media app.
Insert USB flash drive.
Run the media creation tool.
Select Create installation media for another PC.
Choose your language, Windows edition and architecture (64-bit) for Windows 10.
Select the USB flash and click Next.
Windows installation media app will download and create the installation disk. Click Finish.

Disconnect all disk and just leave the disk where Windows will be installed.

Boot from the USB installation disk.
On the "Windows Setup," click the Next button.
Click the Install now button.
On the Activation window, click I don't have a product key option click Next (activate Windows 10 when online using the Windows 7 code).
Select the edition of Windows 10 that matches the one on your PC and click the Next button.
Select the I accept the license terms option to continue.
Click on the Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced) option.
Select and delete all partitions on the SSD. Until you are left with Drive 0 Unallocated Space
Select the empty drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) and click the Next button.
The setup will proceed with a fresh installation of Windows 10.

Alright, thanks. I understood the first half of your reply beforehand, but I was curious about the second half, the installation process itself but it seems to be easy enough.