How to Clean Install Windows 10 and Configure It

This tutorial shows how to install a clean copy of Windows 10 and configure it for first-time use. First of all, you have to download Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft’s website. After that, create bootable installation media.

You can create a bootable DVD or a bootable USB disk depending upon your requirements. Once you have created the installation media, you can continue the installation process. Let’s take a look at the system requirements to install Windows 10.

System Requirements for Windows 10

  • Processor: 1 Gigahertz (GHz) or faster.
  • RAM: 1 Gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit Windows 10
  • Free hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit or 32 GB for 64-bit version.
  • Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver.

We have divided the Windows 10 installation process into two parts – Windows 10 OS installation and Windows 10 Configuration for first-time use. So, let’s start with the first part, i.e. Windows 10 OS installation.

A) Install a Clean Copy of Windows 10 on a New Computer

Step 1: Boot from USB

First of all, download Windows 10 if you haven’t downloaded it already. Next, set up your PC to boot from the desired installation media. Click the links below to see how to setup BIOS:

After setting up BIOS, insert Windows 10 Installation Media into your PC and restart it. Here, we are taking the example of USB. Press any key when you see “Press any key to boot from USB or CD/DVD…“.

Press Any Key To Boot From Usb
Press any key to boot from USB

Windows 10 setup will start loading the necessary files. After that Windows Setup will start. Select Language, Time, and currency format, Keyboard, and click Next.

Windows 10 Setup Select Language Keyboard And Click Next
Select Language, Keyboard, and click Next

Next, click on Install Now to install a clean copy of Windows 10.

Click Install Now To Start Installing Windows 10
Click Install Now to start installing Windows 10

Step 2: Enter the Product Key and Select Windows 10 Version

You will be prompted to enter your Windows 10 product key. If you have the key, type it in the space provided. And if you want to do it later, click on “I don’t have a product key“.

NOTE: If your computer has a built-in digital license for Windows 10, you might not see this screen.

Provide Windows 10 License Key Or Click I Dont Have A Product Key
Type License key or click “I don’t have a product key” to continue

If you are using a multi-version installation media, you might be prompted to select the desired version of Windows 10. Now, select the version you want to install and click Next.

NOTE: If your computer has a built-in digital license for Windows 10, it will automatically select the Windows 10 version based on the license and you may not see this screen.

Select Windows 10 Version To Install And Click Next
Select Windows 10 Version and click Next

Step 3: Accept the License Agreement and Select Install Type

Now you will see license terms, Check the check-box next to “I accept the license terms” and click on Next.

Accept The License Agreement And Click Next
Check “I accept the license terms” and click Next

You will now see two options for installing Windows 10: Upgrade and Custom. Select Custom to clean-install Windows 10. The upgrade option is used to upgrade to Windows 10 from previous versions of Windows.

NOTE: You can select the Upgrade option only when you are running Windows 10 setup from existing Windows. If you are running the setup from BIOS, you won’t be able to upgrade.

Select Custom Install Windows Only Option To Clean Install Windows 10
Click on Custom: Install Windows Only (advanced)

SEE ALSO: How to Upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10?


Step 4: Create a New Partition from the Unallocated Space

Now you will see the list of hard disk partitions on your PC available for installation. If you don’t have partitions already created, you can create a new partition here. First, select unallocated space and then click on New.

Select Unallocated Disk And Click On New To Create A New Partition For Windows
Select unallocated space and click on New

Next, enter the size for the new partition and click on Apply. In this tutorial, we have created a 50 GB (51200 MB) partition for installing Windows 10.

Enter The Size For New Partition And Click Apply To Create A New Partition
Enter the Size for New Partition and click Apply

You might see a warning about additional partitions being created by Windows 10 setup for system files. Click OK to proceed.

You Will See Warning About Additional Partitions Click Ok
Warning About Additional Partitions – click OK

A new partition of the selected size and default System Reserved partition will be created. We will use this newly created partition for a clean install of Windows 10.


Step 5: Start Clean Install of Windows 10

Now that we have partitions ready for Windows 10 installation, select the newly created partition other than System Reserved and click Next.

Select Newly Created Partition And Click Next To Clean Install Windows 10 On It
Select Partition and click Next

Windows installation will start. This is going to take some time, sit back and relax.

Windows 10 Clean Install In Progress
Windows 10 Installation in progress

After successful installation of Windows 10 OS, your PC will restart. After the reboot, Windows will show you the configuration steps. It’s time to configure your Windows 10 for the first time use.


B) Configure Windows 10 for First Time Use

Step 1: Region and Keyboard Settings

After the reboot, Windows 10 will show you configuration options. So, it’s time to personalize your Windows 10. Let’s start with Basics. Select your region and click Yes.

Select Region And Click Yes
Select Region and click Yes

Next, you will select the keyboard layout for your Windows 10. So, select the desired layout and click Yes.

Select Keyboard Layout And Click Yes
Select Keyboard layout and click Yes

Furthermore, you will see an option to add another keyboard layout, simply click Skip if you need only one keyboard layout.

Add A Second Keyboard Layout Or Simply Click On Skip
Add a second keyboard layout or simply click on Skip

Step 2: Network Settings

Now, is the time to configure the network. You will see the list of available connections on the Network screen. If you wish to connect to a network, you can do so here.

NOTE: If you connect internet during setup, you won’t be able to create a local account on your Windows 10. To create a local account on Windows 10, disconnect your network first.

To continue Windows 10 configuration without internet, first disconnect the internet and click on “I don’t have internet” in the bottom-left corner.

Connect Internet Or Click On I Dont Have Internet
Connect Internet or click on “I don’t have Internet

You will see possible options you can do with the internet, but click on “Continue with limited setup“. Otherwise, you won’t be able to create a local account in the next step and Windows 10 will force you to log in with a Microsoft account.

Click On Continue With Limited Setup Without Internet
Click on “Continue With Limited Setup

SEE ALSO: How to Skip Network Check in Windows 11 Home and Create Local Account during Initial Setup?


Step 3: Create First Account in Windows 10

After configuring network settings, it’s time to create accounts. Type the username for creating the first account in Windows 10 and click Next.

Create Local Account Type Username And Click Next
Create Local Account: Type your Username and click Next

Next, you will be prompted to create a password for your user account. Enter the password and click Next. Again, you will be prompted to re-enter your password, enter the same password, and click Next.

Create Password For Newly Created User
Create a Password for the newly created user

After creating the password, Windows 10 will ask you to set up 3 security questions. Select 3 security questions of your choice and save your answers by clicking Next.


Step 4: Configure Privacy and Cortana settings

It’s time to configure your privacy settings. Select desired settings by enabling or disabling switches and click Accept.

Choose Privacy Settings For Your Device And Click Accept
Choose Privacy Settings for your device and click Accept

Next, you may be prompted to configure Activity History settings. If you wish to use Activity history, click Yes otherwise click No.

After that, it’s time to configure Cortana. You can click on Accept to set up Cortana settings. And if you wish to do it later, simply click on Not Now.

Configure Cortana Or Click On Not Now To Configure Cortana Later
Click Not Now to configure Cortana later

Step 5: Windows 10 Desktop

After configuring settings, Windows 10 will prepare your profile. It may take a few minutes. After the profile setup is complete, you will finally see the Windows 10 desktop. Your new Windows 10 is now ready to be used and played with. The clean install of Windows 10 is complete now.

Windows 10 Clean Install Successfully Installed
Windows 10 Installed Successfully

Clean Install and Configure Windows 10

Now you have successfully installed Windows 10 on your PC. You can now start installing your favorite programs. We recommend that you run Windows Update first to get the latest Windows patches and drivers. Remember you can change Themes and other personalization settings only after activating your Windows 10.

Hope you liked this tutorial. Feel free to share your queries and suggestions in the comment section below. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and get the latest tutorials directly into your inbox.

NOTE: This tutorial is for installing Windows 10 on a new PC, if you wish to upgrade your existing Windows to Windows 10, check the Windows 10 upgrade tutorial here.

Editorial Staff

Hi there, we are the editorial staff at WINDOSPC (former HELLPC). We are a team of funny and technical people. Feel free to get in touch with us via Contact-Us page.

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