Microsoft has launched a new tool called the Windows 10 Refresh Tool that will remove all the bloatware from your PC. The tool will perform a fresh install of Windows 10 from the Web and subsequently remove any programs or apps that are preloaded on your PC by the OEM as well as any apps or programs that you have installed.

We look at how you can access the Windows 10 Refresh Tool, any pre-requirements that are required and how you can go about installing a clean version of Windows 10.

Who can access the Windows 10 Refresh Tool?

The Windows 10 Refresh Tool is currently only available to Windows Insiders. If you are interested in joining the Windows Insider Program, follow the steps below:

• To be part of the Windows Insider Program it requires that you sign into your PC  with a Microsoft Account and that same account must be part of the Insider Program.

Tip: If you are signing into your PC with a local account, go to the Settings app > Accounts > convert your local account to a Microsoft account.

• Go to the Windows Insider Program page and sign in with your Microsoft account. You will now be able to join the program for free.  
• Go to the Settings app > Updates & security > Advanced options > under Get Insider builds, click Get Started. You will be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft account if you have not done so already.
• Agree to the warning message and your PC will restart.

Things to consider before you start the download

• As this tool is in its early stages it is likely to be buggy and you may have some issues with it. It is therefore, important that you do not install it on your primary PC.
• Before you start the download and install of the Windows 10 Refresh Tool make sure you have made a backup of everything on your machine. To make a backup of your PC you can use an external storage device or cloud storage.
• To download the tool and the Windows image, approximately 3 GB, you will need an internet connection.
• Ensure you have sufficient data storage available on your PC.
• Your PC needs to be on the Windows 10 Insider Preview Home or Pro edition   

How to get started with a clean install of Windows 10?

• You can download the Windows 10 Refresh Tool directly from the download link. Alternatively, go to the Settings app > Update & Security > Recovery > click Learn how to start afresh with a clean installation of Windows, found at the bottom of the page. You will go through to Microsoft’s announcement post where you can learn more.   
• Download and Run the Windows 10 Refresh Tool.
• Review and accept the License Terms.
• Decide what files you want to remain on your PC. Select Keep personal files only if you want to keep your personal files or select Nothing if you want all the files on your PC to be wiped.

Tip: If the Windows 10 build currently on your PC is more recent than the build available through the tool, then regardless of selecting Keep personal files only you will have to select the Nothing option or cancel the install.

• Regardless of your selection, the Windows 10 Refresh Tool will perform a clean installation of Windows. All apps that came installed on your PC or apps that you manually installed will be removed. Any Windows 10 apps that come standard, including Microsoft Edge and Mail will remain on the PC.   
• Click Install and the clean install will begin. You can cancel the install at any stage before your PC reboots and while the Windows 10 Setup dialog is shown. The buttons are greyed out, but the install operation can be cancelled by closing the tool.

Once the Windows 10 clean install is complete

To reinstall your Windows Apps from the Microsoft Store, simply log into the Store using your Microsoft Account > go to Store > Library.

If you are missing any drivers, go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update and download the latest device drivers.  

Sources: WinBeta; Microsoft

Image credit: Steve Collis; Flickr