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Reinstalling Windowsisn’t as simple as just clicking through an installer.
This checklist will walk you through reinstalling Windows and ensure you won’t forget anything.
If you haven’t created any backups yet, now is a good time to start.
it’s possible for you to generally just download your installed programs again.
This ensures your bookmarks and other data can be accessed afterwards.
Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge have similar sync features.
Consider all the important data on your gear and ensure it’s backed up.
You won’t be left wondering what the name of that useful little utility was.
you’re free to just check the list and see what you had installed before you reinstalled Windows.
You don’t need any additional software.
This feature is in the free version of CCleaner; you don’t need the paid version.
Be sure to add the text file to your backups!
Get the Product Keys You Need
Ensure you have any product keys you might need before continuing.
At a minimum, you’ll need a product key to install Windows.
To see the various product keys used on your PC for applications like Microsoft Office, we recommendNirSoft ProduKey.
It’s all official and legal, and all you need is a legitimate product key.
you’re free to even use these tools to create Windows installation media for another PC.
Unlike the standard"reset this PC" feature, this will also erase bloatware installed by your manufacturer.
This is more useful if you’re using an older version of Windows, such as Windows 7.
Windows 10 has more integrated drivers and should be able to automatically get more hardware devices up and running.
Related:Should You Use the Hardware Drivers Windows Provides, or Download Your Manufacturer’s Drivers?
This can save a bit of time afterwards, but isn’t absolutely required except in one situation.
Once your setup has internet access again, you could download all your other drivers whenever you want.
Place them on a USB drive or another external storage rig.
Because of the outdated way iTunes DRM works, you must deauthorize iTunes on your PC before uninstalling it.
Yes, it’s annoying and not user friendly.
All the programs you have installed and system configs changes you’ve made will be erased.
The process is pretty simple.
Take the installation media you created earlier and either plug in the USB drive or insert the disc.
Reboot your PC and boot from the removable rig.
We’ve demonstrated the process ofinstalling Windows 10, and Windows 7 is similar.
You may need to enter the product key during the installation process.
It can install many of our favorite utilities, includingVLCfor watching videos,7-Zipfor extracting archives, andPaint.NETfor basic image editing.
you’re able to also useportable appsto get up and running more easily on a new PC.
