There are two primary ways to reinstall an operating system:
Every installed software—from Microsoft Office to specialized gaming launchers and RGB controllers—will be removed.
: All installed software, from web browsers to professional tools like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud. does a clean install erase everything
: Customizations, registry keys, and saved passwords. Drivers : Old or manufacturer-preinstalled drivers.
While the primary drive is wiped, some data remains untouched depending on your hardware setup and chosen settings: There are two primary ways to reinstall an
Yes — a clean installation is designed to erase nearly everything on the drive where you install the operating system.
Before performing a clean install, follow the 3-2-1 rule: Drivers : Old or manufacturer-preinstalled drivers
If your goal is to keep files, look for options like or “Repair install” instead. But for a fresh start or resolving deep system issues, a clean install is effective — just be sure you have a backup first.
Documents, photos, videos, and music stored on the system drive (usually the C: drive).