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How to do a clean Windows reinstallation

Sometimes it is advisable to perform a clean Windows reinstallation. This is especially the case if you have installed quite a lot of software over time, which deeply interferes with the system or which is of poor quality.

Backup and reinstallation

A clean Windows reinstallation basically follows this scheme:

  • Create a backup of all important files on an external data medium.
  • Possibly also backup important application and configuration data (e.g. browser profile, password lists, bookmarks) - these can be found most quickly via the shortcut %APPDATA% (Win+R or Explorer address line)
  • Boot from a new Windows installation medium via USB
  • During Windows installation: "Custom installation" and delete previous system partitions on the system SSD
  • Create new system partition, select it and follow the on-screen instructions

In the penultimate step, you should pay close attention to delete the correct partition. For example, if you have your backup on a separate data partition or a second SSD in the system, you should make sure that he or she does not delete the wrong partition. The same applies if a backup medium is still connected via USB.

Preparing the installation medium

Even if you already have an older Windows installation medium (DVD, USB stick, ISO file, e.g. from the university or the employer): it is better to first create a cutting-edge medium - then all Windows updates are already included from the beginning.

A current USB stick for the Windows installation can be created directly with a tool from the manufacturer. There are two different tools - one for Windows 10 and one for Windows 11:

Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool always downloads the latest Windows version – currently that's Windows 11 24H2. However, there are still some potential issues and ambiguities with version 24H2 since its launch in October 2024. Therefore, we currently recommend continuing to use version 23H2, as this article explains:

Unfortunately, Microsoft no longer provides public download links for Windows 11 23H2. The article therefore describes in great detail an easy-to-follow method for creating Windows installation media for version 23H2 from official sources anyway.

Recommended action:

Last update: October 2023

Potential stumbling blocks

There are some stumbling blocks in Windows installation on some models, but they are very easy to resolve. These are dealt with in our FAQ section "Troubleshooting" as follows:

Please read the respective FAQ article if you are affected by one of these stumbling blocks during the new installation.

System drivers

The drivers for your XMG laptop are on a USB stick in the shipping box - but this is probably no longer up-to-date at the time of your new installation. All driver updates and corresponding changelogs can be found in our download portal:

The principle is always the same: Unpack the ZIP files and install all drivers one by one. If the ZIP files are numbered, you can follow this order. If they are not numbered, you should tend to install the drivers of the CPU manufacturer (Intel or AMD) first - starting with the chipset driver. Otherwise, the order of driver installation doesn't matter.

Exception: audio drivers sometimes come with two to three numbered subfolders with equalizers and effects: there it is actually important to follow the given order.

After installation: Internet connection and Windows updates

At the latest after the installation, you should connect your laptop to the Internet, because further, smaller updates may be downloaded. Some applications that belong to drivers (e.g. Thunderbolt Control Center, Soundblaster Cinema, THX Spatial Audio) are only downloaded from the Microsoft Store when the internet connection is intact.