Remove Everything and Reinstall Windows Help please

Josh1

New Member
Messages
3
I would like to "Remove everything and Reinstall windows" my laptop came with windows 8 already installed(brand new from shop not second hand 2 years ago now I believe) and is currently upgraded to the free 8.1 update they sent out. My pc has become so slow even with using utilities to clean my pc up still got a few errors(nothing major just annoyances). I would like to start a fresh as windows update has always been a pain to work correctly and download updates without getting errors and such.
When doing this how long does it take (approx) ? And will/if it ask for a product key where would I locate mine?
also anything else I should know about? or is it just straight forward.

Thanks in Advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion g6
download the MFG driver packages for your pc -

download and create windows 8.1 media > Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

Clean install windows 8.1 - the installation software now reads windows 8 and windows 8.1 product keys

reinstall your mfg's drivers
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
hm this is getting more complicated its going to cost me money and on my internet speed a lot of time, might just have to put up with slow comp by the looks of it
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion g6
I did this to my pc a while ago and it didn't ask me for a product key. But I don't properly understand how windows licences work so I can't guarantee that it won't ask you. The recycling process only took about 30 minutes but all the setting up afterward took me a long time. You will have to re-install Win8.1 update but before you can do that you have to install all the updates in windows update for Win8 (very annoying!). After updating to Win8.1 you have to again install all the updates in windows update this time for Win8.1. You also have to re-install all your desktop programs (your metro apps will automatically install if you sign in with your Msoft account) and copy all your music files etc back onto your pc (again, files in OneDrive will automatically sync but all other files need to be backed up first). All of this takes a lot of time and internet connection. If I were you I'd wait for Win10 which I think will be a free update for Win8 and 8.1 users. Microsoft is holding a conference in April in which all info about Win10 will be released.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast! antivirus
David Bailey, I think that we have looked at the picture but are missing your point. Can you explain what you mean?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast! antivirus
David Bailey, I think that we have looked at the picture but are missing your point. Can you explain what you mean?

Your next question should be how do I get to that screen that will allow me to "remove everything and reinstall window"

[h=3]To reset your PC[/h]
  • Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.) Tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or click Recovery.
  • Under Remove everything and reinstall Windows, tap or click Get started.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
I did this to my pc a while ago and it didn't ask me for a product key. But I don't properly understand how windows licences work so I can't guarantee that it won't ask you. The recycling process only took about 30 minutes but all the setting up afterward took me a long time. You will have to re-install Win8.1 update but before you can do that you have to install all the updates in windows update for Win8 (very annoying!). After updating to Win8.1 you have to again install all the updates in windows update this time for Win8.1. You also have to re-install all your desktop programs (your metro apps will automatically install if you sign in with your Msoft account) and copy all your music files etc back onto your pc (again, files in OneDrive will automatically sync but all other files need to be backed up first). All of this takes a lot of time and internet connection. If I were you I'd wait for Win10 which I think will be a free update for Win8 and 8.1 users. Microsoft is holding a conference in April in which all info about Win10 will be released.

Please re read post #3 with this downloaded ISO you can directly clean install Windows 8.1 with update. Of course anytime you Clean Install "Remove everything and reinstall" you will have to reinstall all your software and configurations. That is usually the reason we Clean Install, is to get rid of the crap we put on it over a few month.
Of course you would back up your data to another drive or external drive before and have to move it back after the clean install. Personally I don't keep any data on my OS hard drive so I don't have that issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
hm this is getting more complicated its going to cost me money and on my internet speed a lot of time, might just have to put up with slow comp by the looks of it

Doing a clean install using the installation media recommended by KHYI is not complicated and it costs nothing (except a usb stick to save the .iso onto, whatever internet cost you have, and time). Is your internet really slow?

Downloading the latest drivers from your manufacturer's (mfg I think in KHYI's post) website shouldn't cost you anything either (never cost me anything anyway).

Doing a refresh or factory reinstall also costs nothing, but you go back to whatever you first started with (e.g. Win 8 with no upgrade or updates). Refresh will keep your files but not any programs you installed.

No product key is needed for any of these options.

I suppose it comes down to how much of an irritation your system is at present. To be honest, I think time is the biggest cost, as it takes a while to download the .iso if you choose to use that (benefit is you can go straight to 8.1). Whatever you choose to do you will also have to invest the time it takes to do all the necessary updates.

I've done refreshes and also installed a new hard drive followed by the .iso for a clean, bloat-free install. I can recommend it - you do appreciate the difference.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
If you want to try one more gamble before doing the Big ReInstall: tweaking.com's Windows Repair (All in One); accept defaults and add #s 26 & 27. Make sure you have your data [txt doc pics downloaded EXEs & ZIPs] backup up, maybe twice on 2 different medias. If WR(AiO) does not work, then time and effort will have to be invested for The Big reInstall.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
One of the biggest benefits of using the create media tool is the fact that the iso downloaded today - contains all the windows updates through Nov. 2014 - so windows update will only need to download current updates - not 2 years worth..

Saving a LOT of download time..
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
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