It’s nearly identical for both versions, but we’ve called out the differences where appropriate.
Locate Your Product Key
Your next concern should be yourproduct key.
This 25-digit alphanumeric code is required during the clean installation process.
Karlis Dambrans / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
There are programs called “Windows product key finders” that can do this.
Once the installation is complete, you might connect those devices one at a time.
If that happens, just reboot your setup and take another crack.
If that happens, just consider this step over and move on.
This is probably the most common problem we hear about.
Problem:You downloaded a Windows 8 ISO File and need to install Windows from a DVD.
Solution:Burn the ISO file to a DVD (or BD) disc.
SeeHow to Burn an ISO Image to a CD/DVD/BDfor help.
Problem:You downloaded a Windows 8 ISO File and need to install Windows from a USB unit.
Then go toHow to Install Windows 8 From USBfor help getting that ISO file onto a flash drive properly.
Then you’re able to continue on with the rest of this process.
During this time, Windows 8 Setup is preparing by loading files intomemoryso the setup process can continue.
Don’t worry, nothing is being erased or copied to your hard drive right now.
That all happens a bit later on.
Once your options are selected, selectNext.
Select Install Now
ChooseInstall nowin the middle of the screen, right under the Windows logo.
This will get the installation process underway.
Wait for Windows 8 Setup to Begin
The setup process is now beginning.
Nothing to do here but wait.
You might see this screen for several seconds, but not for too much longer than that.
You don’t need to enter the dashes that are probably shown as part of your product key.
It’s completely legal to reinstall Windows 8 via this clean install method.
If you downloaded Windows, chances are the product key is in your purchase confirmation email.
Once you’ve entered the product key, selectNext.
Entering your product key at this point is required.
Also unlike in previous versions,activatingyour product key online is automatic and part of this process.
Read through the agreement, check theI accept the license termsbox, and selectNext.
For example, a copy of Windows 8 can only be installed on a single computer at a time.
In reality, this means one product key per computer…period.
SelectCustom: Install Windows only (advanced).
Even if you’re upgrading from a previous version of Windows, we don’t recommend that youupgrade.
This is what we’re going to do over the next several steps.
that might be on that drive.
It’s assumed that, by this point, anything you wanted to keep you’ve backed up elsewhere.
Highlight the partition you want to delete and then selectDelete.
The primary partition, which is the C: drive when logged into Windows, is 59.7 GB.
Many people have second hard drives or partitions that they use for backup.
That’s not a drive you want to be deleting.
We just want you to have full knowledge of what you’re about to do.
SelectOKto delete the selected partition.
The same thing will happen behind the scenes as you continue to install Windows 8.
You might notice that the first partition we deleted appears to still exist.
Look closer, however, and you’re able to tell that it’s gone.
The description now saysUnallocated Spaceand there’s no longer a partitionTypelisted.
Again, confirm you’re not removing partitions you don’t really want to remove.
choose the appropriate unallocated space to install Windows 8 onto and then chooseNext.
These two actions are completed automatically, in the background, between this step and the next.
All you have to do here is wait.
This step is the most time-consuming of them all.
cycle your machine
As the bulk of the installation process ends, your machine will reboot automatically.
If you accidentally do that, just kickstart your gear and don’t press anything at that time.
The Windows installation should continue again as shown on the next screen.
There’s nothing to do here.
This is the second, and final, restart required during the installation.
Wait While Windows 8 Starts Up
Once again, you’re waiting on Windows to start up.
This should only take a minute or two.
You’re almost done waiting through boring black screens, we promise!
Four sections are shown, includingPersonalize,Wireless,configs, andSign in.
This screen only appears for a few seconds before moving on to the screen detailed below.
ThePC nameis just a friendly phrase forhostname, the name that identifies this computer on your online grid.
Something identifiable is always good, liketimswin8tabletorpcroom204…you get the idea.
you’re able to always change this later.
Once decided, enter the password if the web connection is encrypted and requires one.
For the most part, there’s no problem accepting the express controls.
ChooseUse express settingsto continue.
Your account is only stored locally on this Windows 8 computer.
Our recommendation is to use your existing Microsoft account or create a new one.
Assuming you decide to do that, slide in your email address and then chooseNext.
This is what Windows 8 is doing while theCreating your accountorSetting up your account messageis on screen.
Wait While Windows 8 Finalizes parameters
Remember all of those personalization and other parameters you just made?
Windows 8 is now committing those to your user account it just created.
Just wait during this short phase.
The clean install is almost done…just a few more steps.
That, or maybe you’ll see some large messages in the middle of the screen.
Regardless, this whole series of screen changes and messages should only take a few minutes, at most.
Your Windows 8 Clean Install Is Complete!
This completes the final step of your clean install of Windows 8!
What’s Next?
If you did enable automatic updates, Windows will prompt you about any important updates needed.
You might also want to update drivers for any devices that don’t seem to be working correctly.
SeeHow to Update Drivers in Windows 8for a complete tutorial.
What Is a Clean Install?
If you’re consideringuninstalling Windows 10, it’s not that hard to do.
We always suggest a clean install over upgrading, say from a previous version of Windows like Windows 7.
Look through ourWindows Installation FAQif you’re having concerns about this.
TheWindows 8 end of life was in 2023.
