How to Clean Install Windows 10 and Configure It

Editorial StaffLast Updated: September 19, 2023

This tutorial shows how to install a clean copy of Windows 10 and configure it for first time use. First of all, you have to download Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft’s website. After that, create bootable installation media.

You can create bootable DVD disc or a bootable USB disk depending upon your requirements. Once you have created installation media, you can continue the installation process. Let’s take a look at system requirements to install Windows 10.

System Requirements for Windows 10

Processor: 1 Gigahertz (GHz) or faster.
RAM: 1 Gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit Windows 10
Free hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit or 32 GB for 64-bit version.
Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver.

We have divided Windows 10 installation process into two parts – Windows 10 OS installation and Windows 10 Configuration for the first time use. So, let’s start with the first part, i.e. Windows 10 OS installation.

A) Install Clean Copy of Windows 10 on New Computer

Step 1: Boot from USB

First of all, download Windows 10 if you haven’t downloaded it already. Next, setup your PC to boot from desired installation media. Click the links below to see how to setup BIOS:

After setting up BIOS, insert Windows 10 Installation Media into your PC and restart it. Here, we are taking example of USB. Press any key when you see “Press any key to boot from USB or CD/DVD…“.

Press Any Key To Boot From Usb — Press any key to boot from USB

Windows 10 setup will start loading necessary files. After that Windows Setup will start. Select Language, Time and currency format, Keyboard and click Next.

Windows 10 Setup Select Language Keyboard And Click Next — Select Language, Keyboard and click **Next**

Next, click on Install Now to install a clean copy of Windows 10.

Click Install Now To Start Installing Windows 10 — Click **Install Now** to start installing Windows 10

Step 2: Enter Product Key and Select Windows 10 Version

You will be prompted to enter your Windows 10 product key. If you have the key, type it in the space provided. And if you want to do it later, click on “I don’t have product key“.

NOTE: If your computer has built-in digital license for Windows 10, you might not see this screen.

Provide Windows 10 License Key Or Click I Dont Have A Product Key — Type License key or click “I don’t have a product key” to continue

If you are using a multi-version installation media, you might be prompted to select desired version of Windows 10. Now, select the version you want to install and click Next.

NOTE: If your computer has built-in digital license for Windows 10, it will automatically select Windows 10 version based on the license and you may not see this screen.

Select Windows 10 Version To Install And Click Next — Select Windows 10 Version and click **Next**

Step 3: Accept License Agreement and Select Install Type

Now you will see license terms, Check the check-box next to “I accept the license terms” and click on Next.

Accept The License Agreement And Click Next — Check “I accept the license terms” and click **Next**

You will now see two options for installing Windows 10: Upgrade and Custom. Select Custom to clean install Windows 10. Upgrade is used to install Windows 10 over previous versions of Windows.

NOTE: You can select Upgrade option only when you are running Windows 10 setup from existing Windows. If you are running setup from BIOS, you won’t be able to upgrade.

Select Custom Install Windows Only Option To Clean Install Windows 10 — Click on **Custom: Install Windows Only (advanced)**

Step 4: Create New Partition from Unallocated Space

Now you will see list of hard disk partitions on your PC available for installation. If you don’t have partitions already created, you can create new partition here. First, select unallocated space and then click on New.

Select Unallocated Disk And Click On New To Create A New Partition For Windows — Select unallocated space and click on **New**

Next, enter the size of new partition and click on Apply. In this tutorial we have created 50 GB (51200 MB) partition for installing Windows 10.

Enter The Size For New Partition And Click Apply To Create A New Partition — Enter the Size for New Partition and click **Apply**

You might see a warning about additional partitions being created by Windows 10 setup for system files. Click OK to proceed.

You Will See Warning About Additional Partitions Click Ok — Warning About Additional Partitions – click OK

New partition of selected size and default System Reserved partition will be created. We will use this newly created partition for clean install of Windows 10.

Step 5: Start Clean Install of Windows 10

Now that we have partitions ready for Windows 10 installation, select newly created partition other than System Reserved and click Next.

Select Newly Created Partition And Click Next To Clean Install Windows 10 On It — Select Partition and click **Next**

Windows installation will start. This is going to take some time, sit back and relax.

Windows 10 Clean Install In Progress — Windows 10 Installation in progress

After successful installation of Windows 10 OS, your PC will restart. After the reboot, Windows will show you configuration steps. It’s time to configure your Windows 10 for the first time use.

B) Configure Windows 10 for First Time Use

Step 1: Region and Keyboard Settings

After the reboot, Windows 10 will show you configuration options. So, it’s time to personalize your Windows 10. Let’s start with Basics. Select your region and click Yes.

Select Region And Click Yes — Select Region and click **Yes**

Next, you will select the keyboard layout for your Windows 10. So, select desired layout and click Yes.

Select Keyboard Layout And Click Yes — Select Keyboard layout and click **Yes**

Furthermore, you will see option to add another keyboard layout, simply click Skip if you need only one keyboard layout.

Add A Second Keyboard Layout Or Simply Click On Skip — Add a second keyboard layout or simply click on **Skip**

Step 2: Network Settings

Now, is the time to configure the network. You will see the list of available connections on Network screen. If you wish to connect a network, you can do so here.

NOTE: If you connect internet during setup, you won’t be able to create local account on your Windows 10. To create local account on Windows 10, disconnect your network first.

To continue Windows 10 configuration without internet, first disconnect internet and click on “I don’t have internet” in the bottom-left corner.

Connect Internet Or Click On I Dont Have Internet — Connect Internet or click on “**I don’t have internet**“

You will see possible options you can do with internet, but click on “Continue with limited setup“. Otherwise, you won’t be able to create local account in the next step and Windows 10 will force you to login with Microsoft account.

Click On Continue With Limited Setup Without Internet — Click on “**Continue With Limited Setup**“

Step 3: Create First Account in Windows 10

After configuring network settings, it’s time to create accounts. Type the username for creating first account in Windows 10 and click Next.

Create Local Account Type Username And Click Next — Create Local Account: Type Username and click **Next**

Next, you will be prompted to create password for your user account. Enter the password and click Next. Again, you will be prompted to re-enter your password, enter same password and click Next.

Create Password For Newly Created User — Create Password for newly created user

After creating the password, Windows 10 will ask you to setup 3 security questions. Select 3 security questions of your choice and save your answers by clicking Next.

Step 4: Configure Privacy and Cortana settings

It’s time to configure your Privacy settings. Select desired settings by enabling or disabling switches and click Accept.

Choose Privacy Settings For Your Device And Click Accept — Choose Privacy Settings for your device and click **Accept**

Next, you may be prompted to configure Activity History settings. If you wish to use Activity history, click Yes otherwise click No.

After that, it’s time to configure Cortana. You can click on Accept to setup Cortana settings. And if you wish to do it later, simply click on Not now.

Configure Cortana Or Click On Not Now To Configure Cortana Later — Click **Not Now** to configure Cortana later

Step 5: Windows 10 Desktop

After configuring settings, Windows 10 will prepare your profile. It may take few minutes. After profile setup is complete, you will finally see Windows 10 desktop. Your new Windows 10 is now ready to be used and played with. Clean install of Windows 10 is complete now.

Windows 10 Clean Install Successfully Installed — Windows 10 Installed Successfully

Clean Install and Configure Widows 10

Now you have successfully installed Windows 10 on your PC. You can now start installing your favorite programs. We recommend that you run Windows Update first to get latest Windows patches and drivers. Remember you can change Themes and other personalization settings only after activating your Windows 10.

Hope you liked this tutorial. Feel free to share your queries and suggestions in the comment section down below. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and get latest tutorials directly into your inbox.

NOTE: This tutorial is for installing Windows 10 on new PC, if you wish to upgrade your existing Windows to Windows 10, check Windows 10 upgrade tutorial here.

How to Clean Install Windows 10 and Configure It

System Requirements for Windows 10