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The Windows 10 Install Re-Install Experience Checklist
When your computer is not behaving as it should, reinstalling Windows is sometimes the only way to go. Just insert the
installation media and follow the wizard. That being said, the problem starts after installing Windows 10.
For instance, you cannot connect to the Internet due to driver issues, forget to install some applications, lose
application settings and configurations, etc. If you have a plan beforehand, the reinstallation procedure will be much smoother.
We have here a simple BASIC guide that will hopefully assist you that we've used and given other not-so-experienced
users to help them through the
stages of having a good experience with Windows 10.
Before Reinstalling Windows 10
1. Back Up or Create a Clone of Windows 10
This is the first thing you need to do when considering a reinstallation. Skim through your C: drive and back up any
personal files like images, videos, and documents. Especially look in general folders like Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Downloads, etc.
After that, you need to back up the settings and other data of your favorite applications. For instance, if you are using the Thunderbird email
client, you can back up the profile folder. This helps you restore the Thunderbird application without manually adding all the email accounts
again. Each application has its own way to export settings and configurations, so take your time and back up those settings. Since you can easily
import those settings and configurations with just a few clicks, it helps you save a ton of time after reinstalling Windows.
Alternatively, if you want your new Windows 10 install to be exactly like it was before reinstalling, you can clone Windows 10 instead. It’s a little
bit of a process but definitely worth it if you want to recreate your OS exactly how it was.
2. Make Sure You Have All the Product Keys
To activate some premium software like Windows, Office, etc., you need to have product keys. It is a good idea to have those product keys beforehand.
This lets you activate the software as soon as you install it. You can use free software tools to quickly find and copy the product keys of different software.
One thing to keep in mind is that you may not get the product keys of all your premium software. If you find that you are missing a product key for premium
software, you can try to recover it from your email inbox or simply contact the developer.
3. Download Drivers (if you won’t have Internet access)
When setting up a new Windows installation, you’ll get the opportunity to connect online. Usually, the Wi-Fi chip or Ethernet port on your motherboard will be
working even if you haven’t installed the drivers in Windows yet. Typically when you open Windows, your PC will automatically install the drivers for all your
connected devices and hardware.
But if you’re not sure whether you’ll have Internet, there are certain drivers you may want to download to an external USB before reinstalling Windows 10.
The main ones to have at the ready are:
1.Laptop chipset drivers. This should include networking, sound and integrated graphics.
2.Graphics drivers (if you have dedicated GPU)
3.Sound drivers (either through official laptop site or Realtek)
4. Make Sure You Have Up-to-Date Installation Media
Before you proceed to reinstall, make sure you have the up-to-date installation media. If you are unsure, you can download the
latest ISO from the official Microsoft website and follow the instructions to create a bootable USB drive. Here at TEAMOS there
are guides in the forums to do this. Check it out, its a fairly painless process worth knowing.
After Reinstalling Windows 10
1. Install Device Drivers
The first thing to do after installing Windows is to install all the drivers you downloaded earlier. Again, if you’re online, then many drivers
will install automatically, though if you have an Nvidia or AMD GPU, then you’ll probably need to manually install them from the Nvidia
driver or AMD driver site. Again, many are installed during the installation process, but do so to check and verify you have current drivers.
There are some very nice Driver applications here at TEAMOS that do this extremely well, check it out.
2. Update Windows
After installing hardware drivers, you need to install Windows updates. More often than not, these updates contain bug fixes, security patches,
and feature updates. Many customized OS 's here at TEAMOS block Windows Updates, it's a personal choice to do this, we choose to do
this for simple ease of mind with online security being a must these days. Again, personal choice.
To update Windows 10 , open the Settings app by pressing the keyboard shortcut Settings, navigate to “Update and Security -> Windows Update” and
click on the “Check for updates” button.
3. Download and Install All Your Software
Next, download and install all the required software. For general purpose software like browsers, media players, image viewers, etc
4. Configure Windows and Application Settings
After installing all the required software, it is time to configure the Windows settings. When we say Windows settings, we're talking about
common settings, like unhiding file extensions, disabling unwanted startup items, changing default apps, and so on.
5.Create a Backup Image for Future Use
This step is optional. However, creating a backup image after installing and configuring your system is always the best thing to do. This backup
image lets you quickly restore Windows if anything bad happens in the future. Of course, you still have to update Windows and other software
after restoring Windows, but that is much better than actually reinstalling and going through the whole process.
Now a lot of these steps are customizable by most people who are knowledgeable in this checklist. But many are not.
This is just a BASIC checklist for personal use. Frankly speaking, it's not bad to do most if not all of these steps
for ease of mind and simple functionality. We do this mostly now by memory from repeated reinstall and installs of
the many fine OS 's here at TEAMOS. But still come back to this for verification and "what did I forget to do now" questions.
Hope this assists you all and makes your experiences with Windows 10 a good one.
As Always in Loving Regards,
Alessia & Amelia.
When your computer is not behaving as it should, reinstalling Windows is sometimes the only way to go. Just insert the
installation media and follow the wizard. That being said, the problem starts after installing Windows 10.
For instance, you cannot connect to the Internet due to driver issues, forget to install some applications, lose
application settings and configurations, etc. If you have a plan beforehand, the reinstallation procedure will be much smoother.
We have here a simple BASIC guide that will hopefully assist you that we've used and given other not-so-experienced
users to help them through the
stages of having a good experience with Windows 10.Before Reinstalling Windows 10
1. Back Up or Create a Clone of Windows 10
This is the first thing you need to do when considering a reinstallation. Skim through your C: drive and back up any
personal files like images, videos, and documents. Especially look in general folders like Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Downloads, etc.
After that, you need to back up the settings and other data of your favorite applications. For instance, if you are using the Thunderbird email
client, you can back up the profile folder. This helps you restore the Thunderbird application without manually adding all the email accounts
again. Each application has its own way to export settings and configurations, so take your time and back up those settings. Since you can easily
import those settings and configurations with just a few clicks, it helps you save a ton of time after reinstalling Windows.
Alternatively, if you want your new Windows 10 install to be exactly like it was before reinstalling, you can clone Windows 10 instead. It’s a little
bit of a process but definitely worth it if you want to recreate your OS exactly how it was.
2. Make Sure You Have All the Product Keys
To activate some premium software like Windows, Office, etc., you need to have product keys. It is a good idea to have those product keys beforehand.
This lets you activate the software as soon as you install it. You can use free software tools to quickly find and copy the product keys of different software.
One thing to keep in mind is that you may not get the product keys of all your premium software. If you find that you are missing a product key for premium
software, you can try to recover it from your email inbox or simply contact the developer.
3. Download Drivers (if you won’t have Internet access)
When setting up a new Windows installation, you’ll get the opportunity to connect online. Usually, the Wi-Fi chip or Ethernet port on your motherboard will be
working even if you haven’t installed the drivers in Windows yet. Typically when you open Windows, your PC will automatically install the drivers for all your
connected devices and hardware.
But if you’re not sure whether you’ll have Internet, there are certain drivers you may want to download to an external USB before reinstalling Windows 10.
The main ones to have at the ready are:
1.Laptop chipset drivers. This should include networking, sound and integrated graphics.
2.Graphics drivers (if you have dedicated GPU)
3.Sound drivers (either through official laptop site or Realtek)
4. Make Sure You Have Up-to-Date Installation Media
Before you proceed to reinstall, make sure you have the up-to-date installation media. If you are unsure, you can download the
latest ISO from the official Microsoft website and follow the instructions to create a bootable USB drive. Here at TEAMOS there
are guides in the forums to do this. Check it out, its a fairly painless process worth knowing.
After Reinstalling Windows 10
1. Install Device Drivers
The first thing to do after installing Windows is to install all the drivers you downloaded earlier. Again, if you’re online, then many drivers
will install automatically, though if you have an Nvidia or AMD GPU, then you’ll probably need to manually install them from the Nvidia
driver or AMD driver site. Again, many are installed during the installation process, but do so to check and verify you have current drivers.
There are some very nice Driver applications here at TEAMOS that do this extremely well, check it out.
2. Update Windows
After installing hardware drivers, you need to install Windows updates. More often than not, these updates contain bug fixes, security patches,
and feature updates. Many customized OS 's here at TEAMOS block Windows Updates, it's a personal choice to do this, we choose to do
this for simple ease of mind with online security being a must these days. Again, personal choice.
To update Windows 10 , open the Settings app by pressing the keyboard shortcut Settings, navigate to “Update and Security -> Windows Update” and
click on the “Check for updates” button.
3. Download and Install All Your Software
Next, download and install all the required software. For general purpose software like browsers, media players, image viewers, etc
4. Configure Windows and Application Settings
After installing all the required software, it is time to configure the Windows settings. When we say Windows settings, we're talking about
common settings, like unhiding file extensions, disabling unwanted startup items, changing default apps, and so on.
5.Create a Backup Image for Future Use
This step is optional. However, creating a backup image after installing and configuring your system is always the best thing to do. This backup
image lets you quickly restore Windows if anything bad happens in the future. Of course, you still have to update Windows and other software
after restoring Windows, but that is much better than actually reinstalling and going through the whole process.
Now a lot of these steps are customizable by most people who are knowledgeable in this checklist. But many are not.
This is just a BASIC checklist for personal use. Frankly speaking, it's not bad to do most if not all of these steps
for ease of mind and simple functionality. We do this mostly now by memory from repeated reinstall and installs of
the many fine OS 's here at TEAMOS. But still come back to this for verification and "what did I forget to do now" questions.
Hope this assists you all and makes your experiences with Windows 10 a good one.
As Always in Loving Regards,
Alessia & Amelia.
