A clean install removes all programs from the target drive. While you can back up your personal files, applications must be reinstalled after the clean installation is complete.
Unplug all external USB hard drives, thumb drives, and memory cards.
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Unplug them from the USB ports before booting the installer. No
Need a visual guide or help recovering data after a mistaken wipe? Check our companion article: "How to Recover Partitions After a Clean Install (Pro Techniques Exclusive)." does clean install wipe all drives exclusive
A clean install involves formatting the drive where Windows is currently installed and installing a fresh copy of the operating system.
Take note of the exact total size of each drive in gigabytes (GB). The setup menu displays drives by size, which helps you tell them apart. Step 3: Carefully Navigate the Installation Menu A clean install removes all programs from the target drive
If you select "Remove everything," Windows may offer an option to "delete files from all drives". If this is enabled, it will wipe every connected storage device. Potential Risks with Multiple Drives
Before performing any clean installation on any operating system, backing up your data is the single most important step you can take. A clean install wipes the target drive, and while other drives should remain safe, accidents happen. You have: Unplug them from the USB ports