Performing a clean install of Windows OS will resolve most issues encountered. However, it is a destructive action as it completely removes everything from the device and installs a factory build of Windows.
An advantage of doing an in-place upgrade will usually allow all accounts, settings, and programs to remain intact. The first step to perform an in-place upgrade is to download a copy of the Windows OS.
Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 10
- Visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
- Under Create Windows 10 installation media, click Download Now.
- Navigate to the directory where MediaCreationTool_22H2.exe was downloaded.
- NOTE: MediaCreationTool_22H2.exe is the version at the time of publication.
- Right click (tap and hold on touch devices) MediaCreationTool_22H2.exe > Run as administrator
- If you see the message Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? > click Yes
- Click Accept to the Microsoft Software License terms
- Select the radio button next to Upgrade this PC now > Next
- Ensure Install Windows 10 Pro and Keep personal files and apps are both checked.
- Click Install
Windows 11
- Visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
- Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices, click Download Now.
- Select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices)
- Click Download Now.
- Select the product language > English (United States) or which ever language used.
- Click Confirm
- Click 64-bit Download
- Navigate to the directory where Win11_23H2_English_x64v2.iso was downloaded.
- NOTE: Win11_23H2_English_x64v2.iso is the version at the time of publication.
- Right click (tap and hold on touch devices) Win11_23H2_English_x64v2.iso > Mount > Open
- Double-click Setup.exe
- Click Yes if the message Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? appears.
- Click Next
- Click Accept to the Microsoft Software License terms
- Click Change what to keep if Keep personal files only or Nothing is selected.
- Select Keep personal files and apps > Next
- Note: if Nothing is the only option, there is not enough memory on the hard drive and a backup of all the important files on the PC before continuing.
- Click Install
Windows In-Place Upgrade
Downloading and performing a Windows in-place upgrade may take may take an hour or more depending on the internet connection's speed.
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Czech
Danish
Dutch
English
French
German
Greek
Hebrew
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Mongolian
Norwegian
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovenian
Spanish
Turkish
Ukrainian
Vietnamese