How To Clean Install Windows 10 From ISO File (Without USB/DVD)
How To Clean Install Windows 10 From ISO File (Without USB/DVD)
Method 1: Perform clean install of Windows 10 from ISO image
Here is how to clean install Windows 10 from ISO image file without having to create bootable USB or DVD.
Step 1: Download ISO install file on Website or order mail
Step 2: On your Windows 10 PC, where you want to perform clean install of Windows 10, back up all data as we are going to clean install Windows 10 by removing installed programs and personal files. So it’s a good idea to backup everything using a good backup software.
Step 3: Right-click on the Windows 10 ISO image file, and then click Mount option to mount the ISO image.
Step 4: Open up This PC, and then open up the newly mounted drive (containing Windows 10 installation files) by right-clicking on the drive and then clicking Open in new window.
Step 5: Double-click on the Setup.exe file.
Step 6: When you see the following screen, select the first option labelled Download and install updates (recommended), or you can also select the option titled Not right now, as we can always download and install updates after clean installing Windows 10.
If you have selected Download and install updates option, the setup will check for available updates and download them if available.
Step 7: Next is the user agreement screen where you need to click Accept button to accept the license terms to install and use Windows 10.
Step 8: Once again, the setup might start looking for updates and download them.
Step 9: Once everything is ready, you will see Ready to install screen.
Step 10: Here, select Keep nothing if you want to perform a clean install of Windows 10 by removing all installed programs and data. We have selected Keep personal files and apps as we don’t want to lose installed apps and important data.
And if you want to keep you data, please select Keep personal files option by clicking Change what to keep link.
Step 11: Finally, click Install button to begin installing Windows 10.
Note that although the installation screen shows “Upgrading” message, it’s actually clean installing.
Method 2: Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC
Follow these steps to create installation media (USB flash drive or DVD) you can use to install a new copy of Windows 10, perform a clean installation, or reinstall Windows 10.
Before you download the tool make sure you have:
- An internet connection (internet service provider fees may apply).
- Sufficient data storage available on a computer, USB or external drive for the download.
- A blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space or blank DVD (and DVD burner) if you want to create media. We recommend using a blank USB or blank DVD, because any content on it will be deleted.
- When burning a DVD from an ISO file, if you are told the disc image file is too large you will need to use Dual Layer (DL) DVD Media.
Check a few things on the PC where you want to install Windows 10:
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- 64-bit or 32-bit processor (CPU). You’ll create either a 64-bit or 32-bit version of Windows 10. To check this on your PC, go to PC info in PC settings or System in Control Panel, and look for System type.
- System requirements. Make sure the PC meets the system requirements for Windows 10. We also recommend going to the PC manufacturer’s website for additional info about updated drivers and hardware compatibility.
- Language in Windows. You’ll need to choose the same language when you install Windows 10. To see what language you’re currently using, go to Time and language in PC settings or Region in Control Panel.
- Edition of Windows. You should also choose the same edition of Windows. To check what edition you’re currently running, go to PC info in PC settings or System in Control Panel, and look for Windows edition. Windows 10 Enterprise isn’t available in the media creation tool. For more info, go to the Volume Licensing Service Center.
- Microsoft Office products. If you just purchased a new device that includes Office 365, we recommend redeeming (installing) Office before upgrading to Windows 10. To redeem your copy of Office, please see Download and install Office 365 Home, Personal, or University on your PC. For more information, check How to upgrade to Windows 10 on new devices that include Office 365.
If you have Office 2010 or earlier and choose to perform a clean install of Windows 10, you will need to locate your Office product key. For tips on locating your product key, check Find your Office 2010 product key or Enter the product key for your Office 2007 program.
Using the tool to create installation media:
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- Select Download tool now, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
- If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
- On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.
- Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10. This table will help you decide which edition of Windows 10 you’ll choose:
Your current edition of Windows Windows 10 edition Windows 7 Starter
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows 8/8.1
Windows 8.1 with Bing
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8.1 Pro
Windows 8/8.1 Professional with Media Center
Windows 8/8.1 Single Language
Windows 8 Single Language with Bing
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 ProWindows 10 - Select which media you want to use:
- USB flash drive. Attach a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted.
- ISO file. Save an ISO file to your PC, which you can use to create a DVD. After the file is downloaded, you can go to location where the file is saved, or select Open DVD burner, and follow the instructions to burn the file to a DVD. For more info about using an ISO file, see Additional methods for using the ISO file to install Windows 10 section below.
- After the installation media is created, follow the steps below to use it.
- After completing the steps to install Windows 10, please check that you have all the necessary device drivers installed. To check for updates now, select the Start button, and then go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and select Check for updates. You may also wish to visit your device manufacturer’s support site for any additional drivers that may be needed.Note: Drivers for Surface devices may be found on the Download drivers and firmware for Surface page.
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- Using the installation media you created
Before you install Windows 10, it’s a good idea to save any work and back up your PC before you start. If you used the media creation tool to download an ISO file for Windows 10, you’ll need to burn it to a DVD before following these steps.
- Attach the USB flash drive or insert the DVD on the PC where you want to install Windows 10.
- Restart your PC, and then press any key to boot from the USB flash drive or the DVD.If you restart your PC and your current version of Windows starts, you might have to open a boot menu or change the boot order in your PC’s BIOS or UEFI settings so that your PC boots from the media. To open a boot menu or change the boot order, you’ll typically need to press a combination of keys (such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc) immediately after you turn on your PC. For instructions on changing the boot order for your PC, check the documentation that came with your PC or go to the manufacturer’s website.If changing the boot menu or order doesn’t work, try again by signing in to Windows, shutting down, and then starting your PC.
- On the Install Windows page, select your language, time, and keyboard preferences, and then select Next.
- Select Install Windows.
- Using the installation media you created
- Additional methods for using the ISO file to install Windows 10
If you downloaded an ISO file for Windows 10, the file is saved locally at the location you selected. If you have a third-party DVD burning program installed on your computer that you prefer to use for creating the installation DVD, that program might open by going to the location where the file is saved and double-clicking the ISO file, or right-click the ISO file, select Open with and choose your preferred DVD burning software.
If you want to use the Windows Disk Image Burner to create an installation DVD, go to the location where the ISO file is saved. Right-click the ISO file and select Properties. On the General tab, click Change and select Windows Explorer for the program you would like to use to open ISO files and select Apply. Then right-click the ISO file and select Burn disc image.
If you want to install Windows 10 directly from the ISO file without using a DVD or flash drive, you can do so by mounting the ISO file. This will perform an upgrade of your current operating system to Windows 10.
To mount the ISO file:
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- Go to the location where the ISO file is saved, right-click the ISO file and select Properties.
- On the General tab, click Change… and select Windows Explorer for the program you would like to use to open ISO files and select Apply.
- Right-click the ISO file and select Mount.
- Double-click the ISO file to view the files within. Double-click setup.exe to start Windows 10 setup.
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