How to Reinstall a Windows Operating System
Reinstalling can make the laptop perform like new again.
This is important when the laptop is attacked by malware or viruses. Sometimes system errors also require you to reinstall.
Reinstalling the laptop can actually be done yourself and there is no need to use computer service services. Before reinstalling the laptop, you should pay attention to the following:
Preparation
For the reinstallation process, you cannot suddenly reinstall. Many preparations must be met first before starting the reinstall. Things like backup, make a note of the serial number, and also prepare the driver.
First step: Backup important files
During the reinstallation process, all files can be affected or even deleted. A good reinstall decision also involves deleting all the files on the hard drive first. To make sure your files can still be accessed again, do a file backup first.
The easiest thing to do is make copies of the documents and files you don’t want to lose. You can use a USB flash drive or an external hard drive. Another way is to use cloud storage media. You can upload all the files you want to save to cloud storage media and download them to your laptop after the reinstallation is complete. An example of cloud storage media is Google Drive.
Step two: Save the serial number
Almost all the programs that you install on your laptop have a serial number. Especially on paid programs. This serial number is important to later return the program to use after the laptop reinstallation process is complete.
You may not need to back up the program files, but the serial number is more important. Some programs can be downloaded by the installer but without a serial number, the program will not be accessible.
To make sure your serial number is safe, you can take notes manually or use a tool like Belarc Advisor. This tool will scan for all the programs you use on your laptop and register all the serial numbers.
This program is free alias free. So you just download, install and use.
Third step: Preparing the driver
In order for laptop hardware to run properly, of course, drivers will be needed. This is actually no longer needed in Windows 10 because the feature automatically detects hardware and installs the driver. However, for those of you who don’t have Windows 10 or smooth internet access, this is a must.
To get the driver, you can first search on the Internet or copy it from a friend. Some service places also provide driver installation services. Downloading all these drivers can take some time. But at least, you don’t need to be afraid that the laptop won’t work because there are no drivers.
Laptop Reinstall Process
After all the preparations are complete, now is the time to know the steps and how to reinstall your laptop. Actually, there are 2 ways to choose. The first way is to reset the laptop to a new state. This feature will delete all files on the laptop except those that were in the factory settings.
The second option is to do a manual format. It’s a little more complicated than the first option, but it’s guaranteed to be cleaner in deleting files. In order to avoid errors, follow the steps of each of the following options carefully:
Option 1: Reinstall with Reset to New State
Now, to start the reset process to a new state, follow these steps:
- Go to the “Start” menu and click the gear icon. After that, you will enter the “Settings” menu.
- In this menu look for the option “Update & Security”
- In this menu click on the text “Recovery”
- After clicking, you will be given the option of “Reset this PC” and “Advance start-up”
- Click the “Get started” button on “Reset this PC”
- An options window will appear to perform a clean reset by deleting all files except Windows or by securing personal files.
- For the second option, the deleted files are programs, applications, and files associated with them. So your private documents, photos, and videos stay safe.
- Click as you wish to reinstall. Instructions from Windows will appear and you just follow them.
Reset to “New State” usually takes a long time depending on the size of the file that must be cleaned. After the process is complete, the condition of the laptop will return to the same as when you first bought and turned on this laptop.
Option 2: Reinstall with Manual Format
This method is usually the most commonly used to reinstall laptops. Besides being able to be used by OS other than Windows 10, this method can also delete files infected with malware and viruses. Leaving files will only make the malware spread again and again.
Before starting this method, you must have the Windows 10 installer file in the form of a disc or CD along with the serial number. If there is, now is the time to clean the files! This cleaning process will be better if you use a cleaning program like DBAN. DBAN (Darik Boot And Nuke) is a program that will clean all files until they are completely clean from the hard disk. You just need to download it for free and burn this file on a CD.
- Well, once ready, insert the CD into the laptop and boot. To perform the boot process follow these steps
- Restart the laptop. In the middle of the boot-up process, click Esc, F1, F2, F8, or F10. This button depends on the type of your laptop.
- Options will appear and select enter “Bios setup”.
- In the bios menu, go to the “Boot tab”.
- How to Reinstall the Nearest Laptop
- Make the boot highlight in the CD-Drive option
- Save and exit.
Now the boot process will read the DBAN CD and can be used to delete files on the laptop. The steps are as follows
Click enter to open DBAN
When the DBAN menu appears, click [J] and [K] to select the drive you want to delete.
Select the driver by pressing Spacebar on the keyboard
Once everything is selected, click F10 to start the deleting process.
While the process is running, you cannot stop it. Also, make sure when the process is running the laptop is charged so it doesn’t run out of battery because the process can take a long time.
After the process is complete, your laptop is now empty. Now it’s time to reinstall the laptop with the Windows files that were prepared beforehand.
To do this, follow these steps
Inserting the Windows CD that was prepared previously.
The laptop will detect this CD and boot up for the CD.
The steps to install Windows will appear and you can simply follow the instructions.
In the last step before installing, you are usually asked to write a serial number for your Windows. Enter the serial number and the installation process will run.
Wait until the installation process is complete and your laptop is ready in like-new condition.