Windows 10 download: How to 'clean install'

Windows

Microsoft has just launched its newest platform, Windows 10. However, the launch date of July 29 didn't include most users since the company decided to release the new operating system on a staggered basis.

The system automatically updates the platform and retains all files, apps, and data. Other than the automatic update, though, there is still another method of installing Windows 10 on another desktop, or starting from scratch and installing the new platform and automatically deleting old data. This method is through clean installation. 

For computers running on Windows 7 and 8, tech observers like CNet say that instead of upgrading to Windows 10 via the automatic Windows Update tool, users can make a Windows 10 installation data using a flash drive with at least 3 GB of storage and Microsoft's Media Creation Tool. Once the tool has been downloaded and configured for both 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 10, users can then use the flash drive to install Windows 10 to another computer with legitimate Windows 7 and 8 platforms. 

Having the Windows 10 copy on a flash drive saves time for the user, especially if there are multiple desktops that need to be upgraded. Instead of all the desktops automatically downloading and setting up Windows 10 at the same time, the user can instead go straight to installing the new OS one at a time. 

Although it might seem easy, since the media creation tool was made to be user-friendly and also built like the old "Press-Next-to-Continue" Windows Installer, The Verge reminds users who want to clean install Windows 10 on their devices that the process requires at least a more-than-average know-how of Windows OS and installation procedures. Those who have installed Windows 10 using the method also advises that there is a chance of the installation going wrong, so users should make sure to back-up their data prior to tinkering with their operating system.