By Rebecca Albert When your PC is full of errors and you can’t fix them, you might decide it’s time to reinstall Windows.
But what if you don’t have the time or patience to do it yourself or your installation media doesn’t work?
Buying a new one and even paying a professional is an option, but don’t spend your money yet! Even the most damaged systems can be repaired with the right tools.
Why do I need to reinstall Windows?
Before you seek help reinstalling Windows, you should first ask yourself why this is the right solution. Unless you are selling your computer and want to wipe the hard drive and protect your privacy, reinstalling the operating system is a last resort for computer problems.
- Viruses – Malware and viruses can slow down performance and cause instability on your Windows computer. If you’ve been using an antivirus program and still can’t get everything running smoothly, a fresh copy of Windows might seem like the solution.
- But have you tried the following: Are you using a restore point, trying a third-party antivirus, or repairing the registry?
- Slow performance – There’s nothing more frustrating than a slow computer with no apparent cause. It’s true that when the operating system is corrupt or full of junk files, performance suffers and reinstalling Windows can help.
- But have you tried the following: Do you use a Windows repair tool or remove temporary and other junk files to improve performance?
- Windows won’t start – If a computer won’t boot, there’s serious damage to Windows. Reinstalling Windows lets you start fresh.
- But have you tried the following: Using Advanced Boot Options run Startup repair or boot into safe mode? Reinstalling Windows from scratch means you will lose your personal files and settings.
How can I repair Windows manually?
If possible, the best solution for most Windows errors is to repair the system yourself using built-in and third-party tools. You will save money and keep your personal files, unless serious hardware failures have caused data loss.
The Fortect software can restore Windows to its fully functional state by replacing corrupted or missing system files and repairing the registry. It also improves performance by removing junk files and Internet caches.
To start with:
- Download and install Strengthen on your system.
- Launch the software and run a scan. It also works in safe mode.
- Click Start repair (after product activation) to repair all Windows problems or choose a category to View and repair individual errors.
- Wait for the process to complete and restart your PC if prompted.
Fortect has a database of millions of clean Windows components, so you never have to rely on a Windows installation disc to bring your system back to life.
How do I reinstall Windows?
In rare cases, such as a failed hard drive, you may still need to reinstall Windows. Here’s how:
- If possible, back up personal files. Send them to the cloud or use an external drive.
- Use the Media creation tool provided by Microsoft to create an installation drive or disk.
- Insert the drive or disk and restart your computer.
- When your computer boots, press the appropriate key to open the boot menu. Then select the installation media as the boot device.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows. You may need to enter your product key and select your language and time zone.
- During the installation process, you will be given the option to format your hard drive. This will erase all data on the drive and prepare it for a clean installation of Windows.
- After Windows is installed, you will need to install the drivers for your hardware, such as the graphics card, sound card, and network card. However, most of this is done automatically.
- Finally, you can restore the backup data to your computer and then reinstall any programs and applications you need.
How much does it cost to install Windows?
If you do need someone else to reinstall Windows, the cost can vary depending on the type of Windows you have, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, and whether additional services are needed.
If you reinstall Windows yourself, you will need a valid license key to activate the installation. If you have previously used a legal copy on the computer, you are entitled to use the same key.
The cost of a new license key can vary depending on the version of Windows you need. For example, Windows 10 and 11 Home cost around $139. Pro can cost around $199, though cheaper options are available from resellers.
If you hire a professional to reinstall an existing copy of Windows for you, the cost will depend on their hourly rate or the flat fee they charge for the service. The cost can range from $50 to $200 or more, depending on the location and expertise of the professional.
If you are reinstalling Windows due to hardware failure or virus infection, you may need additional components, software, and services. For example, data recovery, virus removal, a new hard drive, etc.
Conclusion
The cost of reinstalling Windows can vary greatly depending on your specific needs and circumstances.
Most of the time it improves system performance and stability and removes viruses. However, it is not necessary if you have a Windows repair tool like Fortect that can repair or replace corrupted system files.