HOW TO Step-by-step: install Windows 10

1 BOOT FROM INSTALLATION MEDIA

Insert or plug in your Windows installation drive (choose a USB 3.0 port for your USB flash drive for maximum performance) and then start or reboot your PC. If it doesn’t automatically start the installation process, reboot again, but this time look for a message about choosing a boot device (typically the F11 or F12 key). Tap this, then choose your DVD or USB drive to boot from it.

2 FIRST STEPS

At the first screen, verify that the language, time and currency format and keyboard are all set to the correct location, such as English (United States). Click Next then Install Now. When the Activate Windows box appears, click ‘I don’t have a product key’ unless you’re using a local account rather than a Microsoft one, in which case enter the product key and click Next.

3 CHOOSE INSTALLATION TYPE

Select your edition of Windows 10 (typically Home or Pro, not Home N or

Pro N) and click Next. Tick to accept the licence terms and click Next again. Choose the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option. At the next screen you’ll see your current drives and partition layout. Be sure to identify the correct partition containing your current Windows installation.

5 BASIC SETUP

Once the ‘Installing Windows’ phase is complete, your PC will reboot. Step one is to confirm the region and keyboard layout are both correct – it should be the same as you selected in step two. Click Yes to confirm each, followed by Skip to avoid adding a second keyboard layout. If you’re connecting wirelessly, you’ll next be prompted to select and connect to your Wi-Fi network.

7 SET UP PIN

After signing in, click ‘Create PIN’ to simplify future sign-ins with a numerical code rather than your password. Click OK. You’ll be asked to switch on activity history – click Yes only if you use Windows on more than one device. You’ll then be given the opportunity to link your Android or iPhone to your PC via the Continue on PC app. Click Next to move on.

4 SET UP DRIVES, COPY FILES

If you click Next now, Windows should detect your existing installation and offer to move it to a Windows.old folder; assuming you’ve backed everything up beforehand, a better option is to select the partition and click Format to wipe it (after acknowledging the warning), then click Next. Windows will move on to the file copying and installation stage. Sit back and relax.

6 CHOOSE ACCOUNT TYPE

Most people will want to choose ‘Set up for personal use’ when prompted, so select it and click Next. You’ll now be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft Account – the same one  you previously used for Windows on this PC. If you entered a  product key and don’t use a Microsoft Account, click Offline Account followed by No to create a local one instead.

8 MANAGE PRIVACY SETTINGS

Next, if you want to prevent OneDrive from becoming your  default save location, click ‘Only save files to this PC’. The rest  of the wizard will allow you to choose whether to use Cortana, online speech recognition and various other privacy related features. Read each one carefully before selecting your choice to complete the post-install setup process.