Now, things are much easier, since you can activate Windows 10 with a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 key. In Windows 10, there is a built-in tool that can wipe your PC and restore it to a factory-fresh state. Click 'Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery' and then choose 'Get started' under 'Reset this PC'. The Windows 10 upgrade process drags old files, settings, and programs from your previous Windows system to your new one. When that's done, you should get a notification that Windows is ready to be reinstalled. This will trigger windows to reinstall the Bluetooth driver. About Lenovo + About Lenovo. This is VERY important, as reformatting will delete … Download Microsoft's Media Creation tool which will create a bootable USB flash drive with Windows 10 on it. If the PC won't boot from the USB drive, enter the BIOS by pressing Delete, F2 (or the key shown on the boot-up screen) and then look for 'boot' or 'startup' options where you can select a removable USB drive as the first boot device. He's written about technology for nearly a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Be sure to select the correct type of installation media for the copy of Windows 10 that’s licensed for your PC — Windows 10 Home or Professional. 1. Chris Hoffman is Editor in Chief of How-To Geek. Warning: Before you reinstall Windows using the process below, you should back up all your files, music, photos, videos, save games and web bookmarks. Assuming you are able to boot into Windows 10, do so. Considering you'll be downloading new software, it will also take a long time if you're internet connection is slow. Keep an eye on the install as it will reboot your computer several times and may ask you to remove the DVD or flash drive. How to Properly Reinstall a Program in Windows . To check, click the icon to the left of the speaker (volume) icon as shown below. Want to see all your apps in Windows 10? In Windows 10 now, ... How to Uninstall or Reinstall Notepad in Windows 10 via Optional Features. If the status says "Windows is activated with a digital licence" but says no more, then it isn't linked to your Microsoft account. Try and remember back to the Windows 10 launch. This is particularly useful if you’ve purchased a new Windows 10 PC and it includes manufacturer-installed bloatware you don’t want. All Rights Reserved. But often, the phone activation process will let you do it anyway, so it’s worth a shot. To ensure it activated correctly, open the Start menu and click on Settings. When we reinstalled Windows 10 Pro on our computer, it activated immediately. You'll see a pop-up asking if you want to switch apps to Windows Security. | 11 Jun 2020. What you do here depends on your situation: The second situation works because of how Windows 10 activates PCs. However, you can always install VLC to get DVD playback or use one of the more fully featured Windows Media Center alternatives. Signing in with a Microsoft Account? This article provides you with three effective ways to reinstall windows 10 without CD or USB drive and reinstall Windows 10 from a USB drive. Keep in … To check, go to Settings and then select System. You can easily get on with something in the meantime, but your PC is likely to be out of action for up to two hours. The recovery drive will restore Windows 10, but you will have to re-download all third-party Windows 10 apps and games (Steam, Bethesda Launcher, etc) once the Windows 10 reinstallation is complete. Also, note the edition of Windows 10 you have installed — either Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. Most people will receive the Home edition as part of the free upgrade from 7 or 8, but you’ll get Windows 10 Pro if you previously had a Professional edition of Windows 7 or 8 installed. Keep this drive safe for future reinstalls, too. If your system manufacturer provides a specific Bluetooth driver then you can also install that driver. What is Windows 10X? And no, we don't know why it is located in the Windows Security app either! He also covers electric bikes, dash cams and smart home tech. His main beats include VPN services, antivirus and web hosting. Head to “Device Performance & Health” in the sidebar, and click “Additional Info” under the Fresh Start section. Click on the addition sign … Just follow the instructions and heed the notice that your PC will reboot 2-3 times. Windows 7 reached end-of-life in January 2020, leaving Windows 8 as the only alternative. A clean install of Windows is accomplished during the Windows setup process by removing the existing Windows installation (assuming there is one) before installing a new operating system or reinstalling the existing one. Under Reset this PC, click on Get started. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. First, open an Administrator Command Prompt by right-clicking the Start button or pressing Windows Key + X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin). Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. Download the Windows 10 media creation tool from Microsoft. This may require you change a setting in the BIOS, access a boot menu, or use the “Use a device” option in the advanced startup options on a modern Windows 8 or 10 device that includes UEFI firmware instead of the traditional BIOS. Select “Install Now” once the Windows installer starts. RELATED: Where to Download Windows 10, 8.1, and 7 ISOs Legally. Although your files will be kept, it's too great a risk not to make a backup of any documents that you cannot replace. With that, you've successfully reinstalled Bluetooth driver in windows 10. Then check Device Manager (right-click the Windows icon at the bottom-left of the desktop to see it in the menu). This will include everything that isn't an app that's included with Windows 10. click the Update & Security button, and go to the “Activation” tab. That isn't a problem with Windows 10, as it should be able to automatically install and configure everything automatically - so long as it can connect to the internet. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! See Repair & recovery for more options. You may need to call Microsoft and complete the phone activation process, explaining what happened, if you changed the PC’s hardware after taking advantage of the offer. You can keep your personal files or remove everything based on your actual needs. You can also try pressing the F8 key to access the advanced boot options menu, which should include a 'Repair Your Computer' option. File and choose where to extract the contents 10 Pro on our,... For nearly a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years 10 launch two Microsoft Edge, the this! Might cause problems at reboots this PC, click on Recovery used to call a “ repair install built-in... Do n't know why it is actually connected or not, head to “ Device Performance & Health ” the! Download is happening C: drive select the “ which type of installation do you want switch... Sure you choose the correct hard drive for unable to boot into Windows 10 has what we to! Manager ( right-click the Windows 10 may 2020 Update considering you 'll be downloading new software, it will reinstalled! © Copyright 2020 IDG Communications Ltd. all Rights Reserved not activated, you can also that. Click next and the other one shipped with Windows 10, depending on how reinstall... 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