Start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 10

Use this tool to install a clean copy of the most recent version of Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro, and remove apps that you installed or came pre-installed on your PC. You’ll have the option to keep your personal files.

If you’re looking to upgrade your existing Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC, go to Get Windows 10 to learn more about upgrade options. If you’re on an Enterprise or Education edition, the tool won’t work for a clean installation. Please see the Volume Licensing Service Center for more information.

Before you begin

Review the following important notes:
  • Using this tool will remove all apps that do not come standard with Windows, including other Microsoft apps such as Office. It will also remove most apps installed by your PC’s manufacturer such as your manufacturer’s apps, support apps, and drivers. You will not be able to recover removed apps and will need to manually reinstall them later if you want to keep them.
  • You may lose your digital licenses, digital content associated with applications, or other digital entitlements for applications as a result of using the tool, which may impact your ability to use apps you paid for or app-related content you paid for. For this reason, we don’t recommend using this tool on any PC where you wish to ensure all of your applications and application-related content (including Microsoft applications such as Office) remain properly installed and licensed.

Please make sure you have the following:
  • An internet connection to download the tool and the Windows 10 image. Internet service provider fees may apply.
  • Sufficient data storage available on the computer you are clean installing. Note that the download and image is over 3GB.

Check these things on the PC where you want to clean install Windows 10:
Download tool now
Privacy

  • Follow these instructions to install a clean version of Windows 10.

    Warning

    Back up anything you want to keep before you begin. Don’t use this tool on any PC that has apps you want to keep.
    1. Launch the tool.
    2. Review and Accept the License Terms. Declining the License Terms will exit the tool.
    3. Choose what you want to keep. If you want to keep your personal files, choose the Keep personal files only option.
      -or-

      If you want to remove everything, choose the Nothing option.

      Warning:

      Regardless of your selection at this step, this tool will perform a clean installation of Windows. All apps that came with or were manually installed on your PC will be removed, including paid apps. Apps that come standard with Windows 10 (Mail and Edge for example) will be preserved. Additionally, some of your customized settings including your manufacturer's default customization (Power and Sleep settings for example) will be changed to Windows default settings, which may impact your hardware performance.
    4. Select the OK button to start the installation. The rest of the process will be automatic, but you can cancel if you need to until your PC reboots.
    Note:
    • The tool will start installing Windows 10 automatically.
    • All steps are automated with buttons greyed out. You can close the tool to cancel the operation if you need to.
    • After the clean installation is completed, if you experience any missing drivers, go to Settings > Update & security >Windows Update to download the latest device drivers. We also recommend that you visit your PC manufacturer's website for info about updated drivers.
    • You can reinstall your Windows Apps that are available in the Store using your Microsoft Account.

*Your use of the media creation tools on this site is governed by the Microsoft Terms of Use for this website.