How to Format Windows 10

Formatting your computer can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the process. However, it can also be useful if you want to remove viruses or simply start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 10. In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to format Windows 10.

Step 1: Backup Your Files

Before formatting your computer, it is important to backup all your important files, documents, and pictures. This will prevent you from losing any important data in the process. You can backup your files by copying them to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage.

Step 2: Create a Windows 10 Installation Media

The next step is to create a Windows 10 installation media. This will allow you to reinstall Windows 10 after formatting your computer. To do this, you will need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space and a Windows 10 ISO file. You can download the ISO file from the official Microsoft website.

Step 3: Boot From the Windows 10 Installation Media

Once you have created the installation media, insert it into your computer and boot from it. To do this, you may need to change the boot order in your computer's BIOS settings. This will allow your computer to boot from the USB drive instead of the hard drive.

Step 4: Choose Your Language and Settings

After booting from the installation media, you will be prompted to choose your language and settings. Select your preferred language and click on the "Install now" button to proceed.

Step 5: Enter Your Product Key

If you have a product key for Windows 10, enter it when prompted. If you do not have a product key, you can still proceed with the installation, but you will need to activate Windows 10 later.

Step 6: Choose the Type of Installation

Next, you will be asked to choose the type of installation. If you want to perform a clean installation of Windows 10, select the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option. This will delete all the files on your computer and install a fresh copy of Windows 10.

Step 7: Format Your Hard Drive

After selecting the type of installation, you will be presented with all the partitions on your hard drive. Select the partition on which Windows 10 is installed and click on the "Format" button. This will erase all the files on that partition and prepare it for a clean installation of Windows 10.

Step 8: Install Windows 10

After formatting your hard drive, click on the "Next" button to proceed with the installation of Windows 10. The installation process may take some time to complete, depending on the speed of your computer.

Step 9: Activate Windows 10

Once the installation of Windows 10 is complete, you will need to activate it. If you have a product key, enter it when prompted. If you do not have a product key, you can still use Windows 10, but some features may be limited.

Step 10: Restore Your Files

After activating Windows 10, you can restore your files from the backup that you created in Step 1. Copy your files back to your computer and your computer will be ready for use.

Conclusion

Formatting your computer may seem like a daunting task, but it can be useful if you want to remove viruses or start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 10. Follow the steps outlined in this article and you will be able to easily format your Windows 10 computer.