Things to consider before reinstalling Windows

From trying to solve system corruption and malware to giving machines a fresh start for a new user, there are many reasons for reinstalling Windows.

The process can help troubleshoot a variety of issues and even improve performance; however, there are some points to take under advisement.

Here, we cover what to consider before, during and after reinstalling a Windows operating system.

Before reinstallation of Windows

The first step is to make sure that your computer and the version of Windows you wish to install are compatible. Outdated hardware is not always a match for the latest software available and can cause havoc with the reinstallation process.

After you’ve ensured your PC will accept the operating system, you need to safeguard your data. Back up the complete contents of your computer to avoid any data loss. You can save it to an external drive or consider Cloud storage. The latter can be a far faster option than a portable drive.

Now, get the installation media. Use a USB drive with an 8-gigabyte minimum capacity and the existing Windows installation. Download the installation media for the edition of Windows you want and follow the instructions to create a bootable USB drive that holds the Windows installation media.

If you already have a digital licence, you should link it to your official Microsoft account. This will ensure reactivation is easy after reinstalling.

A clean install removes all application and personal settings, but during a reinstallation, you can customise settings for the keyboard layout, your language preference and more. Clean installs also remove business-grade antivirus, and Microsoft Defender, Windows’ built-in antivirus software, so remember to reinstall them after you complete the process.

It’s advisable to create a new restore point. This will enable you to revert to an earlier state should something go wrong during the reinstallation process.

During reinstallation of Windows

To boot from your installation media in a Windows reinstallation, you can insert the USB containing the bootable media drive and restart your computer. You can then access the boot menu and select the media inserted as the boot device.

During reinstallation, you need to know the difference between BIOS (legacy) and UEFI (modern) modes, as they impact how computers boot and how their hard drive is partitioned. Select the proper mode in your device’s firmware settings for a successful installation.

When reinstalling, you will be given options. Select the correct installation type for your needs, choosing between an upgrade or a clean install that erases the complete contents of your computer.

Now, select the appropriate edition of Windows that you want to install. You can then load Windows, but follow the onscreen instructions and prompts that appear to the letter, and make sure Windows is activated.

After reinstallation of Windows

After the reinstallation process is complete, there are still some tasks to attend to. You can start by reconfiguring your personal settings; for instance, you can establish Wi-Fi connections and set up user accounts and adjust other preferences.

Remember to install the most recent drivers for any hardware you use with your device. This might include keyboards, a mouse or drawing tablet and webcams. The same applies to any software you regularly use.

If it hasn’t automatically registered, reactivate Windows with your digital licence or product key as required.

Check the update panel in Windows and make sure that your Windows reinstallation is running the most recent version of the operating system available from Microsoft.

As mentioned earlier, consider security measures after reinstallation is successful. Enable a firewall and install Windows Defender or your antivirus of choice.

Either from the Cloud or portable drive that you used, restore all your files, folders and apps to their correct locations. You can reinstall any applications that weren’t backed up or became lost in the reinstallation process.

Finally, put your system through its paces and make certain that everything is operating properly after the reinstall.

Reasons for reinstalling Windows

A Windows reinstall is desirable for many reasons. These include a fresh start, to resolve persistent issues with software like slow performance, or to rid systems of malware. Companies also perform a reinstall before they dispose of a device or sell it on to prevent data breaches.

If your team lacks the technical knowhow or IT confidence required to conduct a reinstallation, help is available from our expert engineers. At 127 Solutions, we offer standard support packages that help firms keep their hardware, software and systems up to date and running at optimum. To explore the services we supply, get in touch with our professional team today.