Windows 10 Setup and Tools Guide

How to Install Windows 10

Install a clean copy of Windows 10 from a USB drive or ISO file.

Choose your language. Start the computer from the Windows 10 USB or ISO. Pick the language, the time and currency format, and the keyboard. Then click Next.
Start the install. Click Install now. (The Repair your computer link is only for fixing a broken Windows.)
Enter the product key. Type your product key. If you do not have one, click I don't have a product key. Windows will activate later.
Pick the Windows version. Select the version you want, for example Windows 10 Pro. Then click Next.
Choose the install type. Click Custom: Install Windows only (advanced). This makes a clean install and removes old files.
Choose the disk. Select the free space (unallocated space) on the drive. You can click New to set the size. Click Apply, then Next. Windows will copy the files and restart by itself.

Tip: Back up your files before a clean install. Everything on the disk you choose can be erased.

Set an automatic or a fixed IP address for your network card.

Open Network Connections. Press Windows key + R. Type ncpa.cpl and click OK.
Open the network card. Right-click your network card (for example, Ethernet) and click Properties.
Open the IPv4 settings. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
Choose the IP type. Pick Obtain an IP address automatically for a normal network. Or pick Use the following IP address and type the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers.
Save. Click OK to save the changes.

Tip: Use a fixed IP only if you need it, for example for a server or a printer.

Turn off visual effects to save CPU and memory.

Open System Properties. Press Windows key + R. Type sysdm.cpl and click OK.
Open Performance settings. Go to the Advanced tab. In the Performance box, click Settings.
Choose best performance. On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance. This turns off animations and shadows.
Apply the changes. Click Apply, then OK.

Tip: Windows will look plainer, but it will feel faster on old computers.

Delete temporary files with the Disk Cleanup tool.

Open Disk Cleanup. Press Windows key + R. Type cleanmgr and click OK. Choose the C: drive if Windows asks.
Select what to delete. Check the boxes for the files you want to remove, such as Temporary files and Thumbnails. The tool shows how much space you will get back.
Clean system files (optional). Click Clean up system files to find more files, such as old Windows Update files.
Delete. Click OK, then click Delete Files.

Tip: Do not check the Recycle Bin box if you still need something in it.

See if your computer is safe and run the built-in troubleshooters.

Open Settings. Click Start, then click the gear icon. Choose Update & Security.
Check security. Click Windows Security. A green check mark means no action is needed. Click Open Windows Security to see more details.
Fix problems. Click Troubleshoot to run a tool that finds and fixes common problems, such as network or update errors.

Tip: Keep Windows Update on so you always get the newest security fixes.

Download the Sysinternals Suite from the Microsoft website and keep it in a folder.

Find the official page. Search for Sysinternals Suite. Open the result from Microsoft Learn (learn.microsoft.com).
Download the file. Click Download Sysinternals Suite. A ZIP file will download.
Extract the files. Right-click the ZIP file and choose Extract All. Extract it to a new folder, for example C:\Sysinternals.
Use the tools. Open the folder and double-click any tool to run it. Some tools need to be run as administrator.

Tip: Only download Sysinternals from the official Microsoft website.