How to Wipe Your Hard Drive and Reinstall Windows 10

If you are looking to wipe your hard drive and reinstall Windows 10, it is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through the steps, including searching for tutorials, preparing your hardware, and the installation process.

Search for Tutorials

Start by searching for 'how to reinstall Windows'. There are plenty of detailed tutorials available online that can guide you through the process. During the installation process, you will have the option to wipe out your hard drive if you wish to start fresh.

Prepare Your Installation Media

To reinstall Windows 10, you will need to have or create a copy of the installation media. Make sure you have the relevant license number, which should be on the computer case or on the case where the original installation DVD came in. Additionally, you will need a copy of any hardware drivers on either a DVD or a USB memory stick.

Access the Installation Media

Some computers have a hidden partition on the hard drive that holds the restore or installation media. To access this partition, look for instructions in the manual or on the manufacturer’s website. The process varies depending on the make and model of your computer.

Install Windows 10

Boot from the installation media. During the installation process, you will be presented with several choices:

Install Windows 10 Repair an existing installation (if applicable) Continue to boot from your hard drive

If you choose to install Windows 10 and there is already a working Windows installation on the drive, Windows will prompt you to confirm. If you answer 'yes', it will format the drive and install Windows 10. If the current installation is Windows 10, you will be offered the option to keep the data in your Documents folder.

It is worth noting that formatting the hard drive is an option during a clean Windows 10 install. This will be a 'quick format', which leaves some old data intact. If you prefer a more thorough process, you can perform a full format before installing Windows.

Alternative Method: Using Gparted with Linux

If you prefer not to use the Windows installation media, you can use a Linux distribution to wipe the hard drive. First, download and burn an installation media with Windows Media Creator, or you can use Linux Mint Cinnamon live CD.

Boot your computer and enter the Boot Menu by looking for the correct key on your computer. In the Linux Menu, search for and launch Gparted. Delete the Windows partition to wipe it, and then start the Windows Media to reinstall Windows 10. If you have a digital license, no activation code is needed.

Steps 2–6 to delete the partition can be skipped if you are using a digital license, and the process is simplified.

Reinstalling Windows 10 and wiping your hard drive can be a daunting task, but with the right guide, it is a manageable process. Whether you use the official Windows installation media or use Gparted with Linux, you will be able to start fresh with Windows 10.