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How to Use Windows 10 Fresh Start
Perform a clean install of Windows 10 leaving personal files intact
By Stefanie Fogel Stefanie Fogel Writer, Editor, Commerce Producer University of Central Florida Stefanie Fogel has written about consumer technology since 2009. Her work has appeared on Variety, Engadget, Polygon, and many other online publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 25, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section What Is Fresh Start? Before You Begin How to Use Missing Device Drivers If your Windows computer is loaded with bloatware or your aging device is feeling sluggish, it might be time to use Fresh Start to install a clean copy of Windows 10. Doing so could improve your computer's startup and shutdown process, memory usage, browsing experience, and battery life. Instructions in this article apply to Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro users. Fresh Start is not available for the Enterprise or Education editions of Windows 10. What Is Windows 10 Fresh Start
The Fresh Start tool resets your Windows 10 device to its original out-of-the-box state with the latest version of the operating system. Fresh Start wipes out most of your applications, including ones pre-installed on your device. Most of your personal settings are also lost. You may lose your digital licenses and digital content associated with those applications, which could affect your ability to use them. For this reason, Microsoft doesn't recommend using the tool if you want to ensure all of your apps remain properly installed and licensed. Before You Begin Using Windows 10 Fresh Start
Before you launch Fresh Start, make sure you have a working internet connection and enough storage available on your device for a clean install. Downloading the tool and the Windows 10 install takes at least 3 GB. Additionally, make sure you back up anything you want to keep such as documents and photos. Fresh Start doesn't delete all your personal files, but it's a good idea to back them up anyway in case something goes wrong. How to Use Windows 10 Fresh Start
Access Windows 10 Fresh Start from the Windows Security Center: Type Windows Security in the Windows search box and select the Windows Security app. Select Device Performance & Health in the left pane. Select Additional Info in the Fresh Start section. If you don't see the Fresh Start tool on your device, you can download Fresh Start for Windows 10 from Microsoft. Select Get started. Select Yes if asked whether you want to allow Fresh Start to make changes to your device. Read the disclaimer and select Next to continue. At this point, Fresh Start performs a clean Windows 10 installation. The rest of the process is automatic. Fresh Start can take 20 minutes or longer to complete depending on your device. How to Download Missing Device Drivers
If you're missing any device drivers after using Fresh Start, you can search for them from your Windows Settings: Select the Windows icon in the taskbar, and then select Settings. Select Update & Security. Select Windows Update in the left pane. Sselect Check for updates. You can also download drivers directly from third-party manufacturers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Turn On/Off Smart App Control in Windows 11 How to Upgrade From Windows 7 to Windows 10 How to Downgrade from Windows 11 How to Fix It When Windows 10 Bluetooth Is Not Working How to Fix D3d11.dll Is Missing or Not Found Errors How to Fix Secur32.dll Not Found or Missing Errors How to Clean Install Windows 8 Pro Upgrade How to Install Windows 10 on a New Hard Drive How to Fix 'Engine.dll Not Found or Missing' Errors How to Fix Wininet.dll Is Missing or Not Found Errors How to Fix Problems Caused by Windows Updates How to Fix Ntdll.dll Errors in Windows [10, 8, 7, etc.] How to Fix Dbghelp.dll Is Missing or Not Found Errors How to Fix Winmm.dll Missing or Not Found Errors How to Factory Reset Windows 7 Error Code 0xc00000e9: What It Means and How to Fix It Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies