Hello Vincent Pisacane
To perform a clean install of Windows 10 via USB, you'll need to ensure that your Dell PC's BIOS is set to boot from the USB drive. Here's a general guide on how to proceed:
- Prepare the USB Drive: Make sure you have a USB drive with at least 8GB of space. Use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive. You can download the tool from the official Microsoft website.
- Boot from USB: Insert the USB drive into your Dell PC. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS setup (usually by pressing F2, F12, DEL, or ESC key during startup). Change the boot order to boot from the USB drive first.
- Install Windows 10: Once booted from the USB, follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10. Choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" when prompted to select the type of installation.
- Format the C Drive: During the installation process, you'll reach a screen where you can select the drive to install Windows. Select the C drive and format it to ensure a clean installation. This will delete all files on the drive, including Windows 11.
- Continue Installation: After formatting, select the same drive (now unallocated space) and continue with the installation. Windows 10 will begin installing.
- Finish Setup: Once the installation is complete, follow the prompts to finish setting up Windows 10. You'll need to enter your product key if prompted.