Member Avatar for lewashby

My brother has a Windows 10 laptop. I use Linux so I'm a little out of the loop when it comes to Windows. He's having problems and wants me to wipe it out and re-install it. Will I need to load the OS onto a USB drive first? If so where and how do I get to that menu? Or is it more likely to work like a tablet where everything can web wiped out and re-installed from the interface with no additional hardware needed? Thanks.

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Short summary and best first step: try the built‑in Reset this PC before hunting for a USB installer. As advised, Windows provides a Recovery/Reset flow you can start from Settings (Windows 10: Settings → Update & Security → Recovery) or from the Windows Recovery Environment — it can reinstall using files on the machine or download a fresh image, so an external USB is not always required. (support.microsoft.com)

What the choices mean and when to pick them: “Keep my files” keeps personal data but removes apps and settings; “Remove everything” wipes user data and offers an extra drive‑clean option (not equivalent to forensic erasure). You can also choose “Local reinstall” (uses the device’s existing recovery files) or “Cloud download” (fetches a fresh copy from Microsoft — useful if local files are corrupted). If the disk is encrypted you’ll need the BitLocker recovery key to complete some recovery flows. (support.microsoft.com)

Before you reset: back up personal files (manual copy, File History or other backup) and, if you want a fast fallback, create a recovery/rescue image or recovery media on an external drive. If Reset fails or you want a fully clean install, make a USB installer using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool and boot from it. Also confirm Windows activation/digital license status (linking a Microsoft account makes reactivation after reinstall much smoother). (support.microsoft.com)

How this ties to the thread: trying Reset first (as suggested) is the right, low‑risk move. ’s recommendation to capture a working image before doing major changes is sensible — an image or recovery drive saves hours later. Note that Windows 10 reached end of standard support on October 14, 2025, so plan for updates or an OS upgrade after reinstalling. (support.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for rproffitt

Slow down. Windows 10 has a menu pick where you can factory reset the machine and save yourself from driver hell.

I'd do that first.

Edited by rproffitt because: Spelling error correction.
Member Avatar for lewashby

Thanks. Can you tell me how to find that menu?

Member Avatar for lewashby

Thanks, resetting now.

Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

If you are restoring to factory then I suggest that once restored you download two programs (both free)

EaseUS Partition Master

Macrium Reflect Free Home Edition

Install EaseUS and run it to shrink the system drive to something like 120 gig. Then creade a partition on the unused space and assign D: as the drive letter.

Relocate the folders

Documents
Music
Videos
Pictures
3D Objects
Downloads

To folders you create on D: named

My Documents
My Music
My Videos
My Pictures
My 3D Objects
Downloads

Apply all outstanding WIndows updates.

Then install Macrium Reflect and take a full image of C and save it in D:\Images

Once you have installed/configured your/his apps take another image. These two image files should be copied to an external drive. These will be used to reload a working and configured Windows system if the current system gets fubar.

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