How To Clean Install Windows 8 Without Disc
As long as you stick to upgrading 32-bit Win7 to 32-bit Win8.1, or 64-bit Win7 to 64-bit Win8.1, the online installer works great.You must make full backups of all your data, write down all your passwords (unless they’re stored online someplace like LastPass), get all your software installation CDs and DVDs, and make yet another backup just in case, before starting this process.If you buy a shrink-wrapped copy of Windows 8.1, you get a DVD (or possibly a USB drive) that’s ready to boot. With a bootable USB drive or DVD in hand, you may have to adjust your computer so that it boots from the USB or DVD.Here’s how to go through the whole process — and survive to tell the tale. 7If there is more than one entry in the upper box, choose Drive Options (Advanced), click each entry in the upper box, one by one, and click on the link that say Delete.
Clean Install Windows 8 Without Disc
When you’re done, click Next.Then go have another latte. Your computer restarts several times.If you had to jimmy your BIOS to make your PC boot from a DVD drive or USB, you may reach an odd situation where you see the setup screen again, and your computer just sits there waiting for you to start again. If that happens, pull the DVD or USB drive out of its slot and manually restart your computer.
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The installer kicks back in again the second time.By the time the installer comes up for air, you’re ready to personalize your copy of Windows. 9If you trust Microsoft, choose Use Express Settings. If not, choose Customize.If you choose Customize, the installer takes you through a series of questions. Here’s what you should do:Turn on sharing. Tell Windows Update “Don’t set up Windows Update (not recommended).”Automatically get new device drivers/apps (both set to On). Turn on the SmartScreen filter. Choose to send Do Not Track requests to websites that you visit.
That doesn’t really accomplish anything at this point, but someday maybe it will.Use Windows Error Reporting and IE Compatibility lists. Don’t let Microsoft collect information about your location when you’re using location-aware apps (turn it Off). The only real downsides are in the Windows Store apps Maps and Weather — and you can turn on location tracking when you fire up those apps, if you like. You probably don’t want to participate in the Customer Experience Improvement Spying Program, and you don’t want Microsoft to learn about how you use Help in the Help Experience Improvement Program — Off and Off again.Next comes the most pernicious setting in Windows 8.1. Microsoft asks if it can get search suggestions and web results from Bing for Windows Search.
You don’t want to send your IE browsing history to Microsoft — that goes Off.Do let apps use your name and account picture — On. Don’t let Windows and apps request your location, unless you specifically grant it later. But do turn on Microsoft Active Protection Service, because it provides a worthwhile service.