How to Reinstall Windows on your computer

If Windows is damaged or you're having problems that can't be resolved through normal troubleshooting, you may need to reinstall Windows. A clean installation removes Windows, installed apps, settings, and files from the drive you install it on, so make sure you back up any important files first.

If you're unsure whether you need to reinstall Windows or which drive to use, contact CLX Support before continuing.

What You Need

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage
• A working Windows PC with an internet connection
• Your CLX system
• Your Windows edition information, if available

Important: Creating the installation USB will erase everything currently stored on the USB drive. Back up anything important from the USB before using it.

Create the Windows Installation USB

Use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool that matches the version of Windows you want to install.

If You Have Windows 11

Download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's Windows 11 download page.

Open the tool and follow the prompts to create installation media on your USB flash drive.

If You Have Windows 10

Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's Windows 10 download page.

Open the tool and follow the prompts to create installation media on your USB flash drive.

Important: Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. If your CLX system supports Windows 11, we recommend installing Windows 11 instead.

When using the Media Creation Tool:

1. Select the option to create installation media for another PC.
2. Follow the prompts to select your language, Windows edition, and system architecture.
3. Select USB flash drive as the installation media.
4. Select your USB drive and allow the tool to create the installation media.

Start Windows Installation

Once the USB is ready:

1. Connect the USB drive to your CLX system.
2. Turn on the system and open the boot menu.

The key used to open the boot menu can vary depending on the motherboard. Common keys include F11, F12, Esc, and Delete.

3. Select the USB drive from the boot menu.

If the USB drive does not appear, try another USB port. If you're still unable to boot from the USB, contact CLX Support.

Select Your Windows Edition

Windows Setup may ask for a product key or which edition of Windows you want to install.

If Windows asks for a product key, select I don't have a product key.

For CLX systems that include an OEM Windows license, the Windows product key is injected into the motherboard BIOS/firmware. Windows Setup should detect the key automatically when the correct Windows edition is selected.

Make sure you install the same Windows edition that originally came with your system. If Windows does not detect the key after installation, contact CLX Support for assistance.

Select the Installation Drive

This is the most important part of the installation.

Windows Setup will show the drives and partitions currently installed in your system. You need to identify the drive where Windows should be installed.

For example, if your system originally came with a 1 TB SSD and a 2 TB hard drive, you may see drives with capacities close to those sizes in Windows Setup.

Do not delete or format a drive unless you're certain it's the correct drive.

If you're unsure which drive contains Windows or which drive you should use, stop here and contact CLX Support.

Remove the Existing Windows Partitions

If you're performing a clean installation and have confirmed the correct Windows drive:

1. Select the existing Windows partition.
2. Delete the partitions associated with the Windows installation until the drive shows as Unallocated Space.
3. Make sure you're only deleting partitions from the correct Windows drive.

Warning: Deleting a partition permanently removes the data stored on it. Do not delete partitions from another drive.

If you're unsure which partitions to delete, contact CLX Support before continuing.

Install Windows

1. Select the Unallocated Space on the correct drive.
2. Select Next to begin the Windows installation.

Windows Setup will create the required partitions and begin installing Windows.

The system may restart several times during the installation. Do not turn off the PC while Windows is being installed.

Complete Windows Setup

After Windows finishes installing, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial Windows setup.

If the system boots back into the Windows installation USB instead of continuing with setup, remove the USB drive and restart the PC.

Once you're back in Windows:

1. Connect the system to the internet.
2. Check Windows Update and install available updates.
3. Check Windows activation under Windows settings.
4. Install any required drivers and software.
5. Reinstall your applications and restore your personal files from your backup.

When to Contact CLX Support

Contact CLX Support before continuing if you're not sure whether you need to reinstall Windows, which Windows edition to install, which drive contains Windows, or which partitions are safe to delete. You should also contact us if the USB drive does not appear in the boot menu, Windows Setup displays an unexpected error, Windows does not activate after installation, or you're unsure about any step involving your system's internal drives.

When contacting CLX Support, have your serial number, order number, and a description of the problem available. Let us know what steps you've already tried and include any error messages you're seeing.

CLX Support

You can contact CLX Support by phone, email, or ticket Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM CST. Live chat is available 7 days a week from 10 AM to 7 PM CST. Call us at (855) 490-2569 or email support@clxgaming.com.