How to carry out a totally clean Windows 11 reinstall - no ifs, no buts, just totally clean

Sigurd · Jul 28, 2023

In days gone by, if I wanted to create a new reinstall, I ensured all data was secured, apps (programs as they were know as) uninstalled so that I effectively secure reinstall rights, and so forth. Then I formatted the system drive and reinstalled Windows. Totally clean.

Now there seem to be so many options I'm not sure how best to achieve the same result. The standard "clean" reinstall routine provided by Windows 11 Recovery routines must retain somethings as when it is finally done it "knows" things from before.

I am not certain if I have variable/unpredictable fault(s) with software or hardware. A clean install followed by gradual reintroduction of apps should help resolve that question.

So how do I do it? Create a new Windows 11 install disk, reformat, and then reinstall but where do I get my licence code?

Incidentally, I work with C: as my system drive and apps drive, and all application, working data and graphics, and everything else specific to my needs on D, and other separate drives.

Ghot · Jul 28, 2023

Sigurd said:
In days gone by, if I wanted to create a new reinstall, I ensured all data was secured, apps (programs as they were know as) uninstalled so that I effectively secure reinstall rights, and so forth. Then I formatted the system drive and reinstalled Windows. Totally clean.

Now there seem to be so many options I'm not sure how best to achieve the same result. The standard "clean" reinstall routine provided by Windows 11 Recovery routines must retain somethings as when it is finally done it "knows" things from before.

I am not certain if I have variable/unpredictable fault(s) with software or hardware. A clean install followed by gradual reintroduction of apps should help resolve that question.

So how do I do it? Create a new Windows 11 install disk, reformat, and then reinstall but where do I get my licence code?

Incidentally, I work with C: as my system drive and apps drive, and all application, working data and graphics, and everything else specific to my needs on D, and other separate drives.

Just do a "clean install"... and tell it not to save anything.

Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

glasskuter · Jul 28, 2023

Step 11 in that tutorial
Delete all partitions on the Drive # (ex: Drive 0) you want to install Windows 11 until that Drive # shows only as one Unallocated Space, select the unallocated space, and click/tap on Next.

zbook · Jul 28, 2023

A clean install on an unallocated disk drive (delete all partitions) should be sufficient.

If there is something unusual then there are other options that can run overnight to clean the drive.

jimbo45 · Jul 29, 2023

Some hardware stuff is retained on the Ms activation servers (digital license) etc if you re-install on the same machine so no amount of local disk formatting will change that. However if installing on totally new hardware then there's "nothing retained" from previous installs. I'm not sure what data is held on the Microsoft activation servers but they obviously know if hardware has significantly changed when requesting "re-activation".

Try3 · Jul 29, 2023

Sigurd said:
In days gone by, if I wanted to create a new reinstall, I... reinstalled Windows. Totally clean.

It's the same now.

Sigurd said:
it "knows" things from before.

What things?

All the best,
Denis

Sigurd · Jul 29, 2023

Try3 said:
It's the same now.

What things?

All the best,
Denis

The things that Jimbo says are kept on the MS servers. I must admit to ignorance (again?!). I thought some was kept on the PC. You make me analyse my thoughts Dennis. Being of our age I was recalling the old days when one knew that a format and reinstall meant everything on the disk being wiped, assuming a full format, a reinstall was of items on the supplied CD and a registration number supplied on the CD cover had to be entered.
Now you don't really know what is happening between the PC and server during the installation.

Try3 · Jul 29, 2023

Sigurd said:
Now you don't really know what is happening between the PC and server during the installation.

If you do not connect to the internet during the installation then nothing is happening between them,
This is provided for in the tutorial [step 16]
Clean Install Windows 11 - ElevenForumTutorials

If you do have an internet connection during the installation then you can choose whether or not to allow updates as part of the installation process.
When you do have an internet connection then the computer will ask the MS activation servers if they have a record of this computer's hardware*** having previously been activated [Windows 10/11, it does not care which]. If there is such a record on those servers, the new Windows 10/11 is quietly activated without any action on your part.
That's all that takes place between the computer and any MS servers.

*** The computer generates a code from its own hardware such as the motherboard [but not including disks]. That code will have been sent to the MS activation servers when the hardware was last activated.

Sigurd said:
a reinstall was of items on the supplied CD and a registration number supplied on the CD cover

The old CD has been replaced by a downloadable ISO file that is used to make an installation disk [commonly a USB these days].
The old Product key supplied on the CD cover has been replaced, for reinstallations, with the online procedure described above.

Sigurd said:
reinstall meant everything on the disk being wiped

It still does.
You have to really go out of your way to even allow other partitions to remain on the disk - Custom install - ElevenForumTutorials

Sigurd said:
it "knows" things from before

Sigurd said:
The things that Jimbo says are kept on the MS servers

Apart from the hardware code that the computer sent to the MS activation servers during any previous activation, nothing else is kept anywhere.
And it was your opinion that I was interested in not jimbo's or anybody else's.
Why, when you started this thread, did you think it "knows" things from before and what things did you think it knew?

All the best,
Denis

Sigurd · Jul 29, 2023

Try3 said:
If you do not connect to the internet during the installation then nothing is happening between them,
This is provided for in the tutorial [step 16]
Clean Install Windows 11 - ElevenForumTutorials

If you do have an internet connection during the installation then you can choose whether or not to allow updates as part of the installation process.
When you do have an internet connection then the computer will ask the MS activation servers if they have a record of this computer's hardware*** having previously been activated [Windows 10/11, it does not care which]. If there is such a record on those servers, the new Windows 10/11 is quietly activated without any action on your part.
That's all that takes place between the computer and any MS servers.

*** The computer generates a code from its own hardware such as the motherboard [but not including disks]. That code will have been sent to the MS activation servers when the hardware was last activated.

The old CD has been replaced by a downloadable ISO file that is used to make an installation disk [commonly a USB these days].
The old Product key supplied on the CD cover has been replaced, for reinstallations, with the online procedure described above.

It still does.
You have to really go out of your way to even allow other partitions to remain on the disk - Custom install - ElevenForumTutorials

Apart from the hardware code that the computer sent to the MS activation servers during any previous activation, nothing else is kept anywhere.
And it was your opinion that I was interested in not jimbo's or anybody else's.
Why, when you started this thread, did you think it "knows" things from before and what things did you think it knew?

All the best,
Denis

Why? I have a recollection (and a vague one at that) that after I did a previous reinstall it knew the registration number of my installation, my email address, and possibly my name. Could be totally wrong of course. Or maybe I am thinking of a repair?
Oh, the joys of old age!

Try3 · Jul 29, 2023

Ian,

Sigurd said:
it knew the registration number of my installation

????

Sigurd said:
it knew ... my email address, and possibly my name

If you set up an MSAccount as your login then it would know those things.
If you did not then it could not have known.

Sigurd said:
Or maybe I am thinking of a repair

Yes, that allows retention of everything.
Despite its name, a Repair install is a repair operation not an installation.
- It overwrites Windows system files but does not alter any of your own data.
- And the procedure's alternative name is In-place upgrade. The same procedure, used with a new ISO, updates Windows to that ISO's version-build.

All the best,
Denis

Sigurd · Jul 30, 2023

Well I took the plunge and spent most of this morning doing a clean reinstall. All went well, no significant data loss, and the few app issues that had been niggling me have now cleared up. PC seems to be running more efficiently too but that is difficult to assess. So a worthwhile morning.
I said no significant data loss. Inevitably I forgot to secure 2 or 3 things. All app registrations, data and other things are stored on a separate drive. I thought I had secured items on the C drive but I had missed 2 or 3. No big deal as it just meant digging around backups to find the information needed, simply recreating it or retrieving it from my laptop or my wife's PC.
So thanks again for your help.

TechnoMage2021 · Jul 31, 2023

Sigurd,
You mentioned Old Age, and that tweaked my interest. I'm 80.
Most of the things you do to get a clean re-install are what I'd do, with only a few exceptions.

With all your STUFF backed up, to external media, and you begin the install, the winders installer will ask you where you want to install Windows. At that point you are given several options. You should always take the option to delete all the old partitions. The Windows Installer is good at its job, and it will indeed clean your HD in prep for installing the new OS. NO HD wiping software is ever required.

Once you've installed Windows, you can reinstall your software (selectively) then bring back your data files, etc, etc, etc.
After 40+ years working as a Computer Tech, and installing Windows more times than I can recount, it all seems pretty simple to me.

But, above all, protect your Data files, by making multiple copies to various external media. And keeping those files up to date.

Cheers Mate!
TM

Sigurd · Aug 1, 2023

I said all went well but there is one niggle. During the install an app called MIS was loaded. Something to do with games. No idea why it did and it seems to have come during reinstall of Windows. Anyway I removed it but I still get the long legal notice every start up. Acknowledging it doesn't stop it appearing next time.
How do I stop that?

Try3 · Aug 1, 2023

Sigurd said:
I removed it

How?

Sigurd said:
I still get the long legal notice every start up. Acknowledging it doesn't stop it appearing next time.
How do I stop that?

I imagine that the removal method might be the cause of this so consider that first but
- Do check for any entry in Task manager, Startup tab.
- And check for a relevant-looking entry shown by AutoRuns.
my list of AutoRuns links [post #16] - TenForums
- You might be able to track it down using WinSpy.
my ditty - identify a dialog caller using WinSpy - my post #8 - TenForums

I have never heard of an MIS app and a quick search did not identify one.
Possibly MIS App on Windows PC - AoW??? but I could find nothing to indicate that it would be amongst the default apps installed during Windows installation.
MIS normally means Management information system and that would be a bit ambitious for an app.

Denis

Sigurd · Aug 1, 2023

I used the standard MS uninstall (Control Panel - Programs).
It is the Privacy Notice for Micro-Star International - I think it is something to do with Games (which I never install) - MSI Global - The Leading Brand in High-end Gaming & Professional Creation
It just keeps loading this notice every time I boot up, regardless whether I click on OK or Cancel, the only two options - no X.
I'll have a look at Autoruns - it must have put something there.

Sigurd · Aug 1, 2023

Can't see anything that obviously relates to it.

Try3 · Aug 1, 2023

So it was MSI rather than MIS.

Sigurd said:
It is the Privacy Notice for Micro-Star International

WinSpy ought to be able to help identify the process that calls that notice up.

Sigurd said:
MS uninstall (Control Panel - Programs)

So exactly what was the name of the application shown in the CP, Progs list?

Denis

Sigurd · Aug 1, 2023

Try3 said:
So it was MSI rather than MIS.

WinSpy ought to be able to help identify the process that calls that notice up.

So exactly what was the name of the application shown in the CP, Progs list?

Denis

You're challenging both my spelling and memory now! I think it was simply MSI.
I wonder if it's anything put there initially by Chillblast, the PC supplier. The logo MSI used to appear briefly during boot up, but then never did anything so I ignored it. The Privacy Notice never appeared before.

Sigurd · Aug 1, 2023

Just got this back from Chillblast -
If you try right clicking MSI centre and running as admin, pressing okay on the pop up then restart to see if that worked, if not then I would recommend a clean install of it found here:
https://www.msi.com/faq/faq-4147

But to do that means re-installing MSI. I assume that is the clean instal they refer to.

Ghot · Aug 1, 2023

Sigurd said:
Can't see anything that obviously relates to it.

Post a screen shot of Autoruns with the Logon tab clicked.
And in Options... make sure Hide empty locations and Hide Microsoft entries, are both check marked.

Maybe someone else "will" see something related to the popup.