FAQs about reinstalling Windows

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FAQs about reinstalling Windows

• Why does Windows need to be reinstalled?

• There are several reasons to reinstall Windows:
  • PC no longer starts up
  • Preparation for resale
  • Virus infection
  • Blue or green screens
  • Repeated error messages
  • Performance losses
  • Hard drive replacement

• Methods for restoring a functioning Windows system:

• • MEDION Recovery

  • Depending on the configuration, MEDION devices are delivered with the MEDION Recovery Solution. The program is primarily used to restore the device to its factory settings and is also MEDION's preferred solution for restoring a system.
    ⚠️Note⚠️ This solution is not available for systems running Windows S mode. This video describes step by step how you can reset the system to its factory settings: Reset Windows device to factory settings

  • Windows Recovery

  • Alternatively, you can use Windows System Restore to restore the operating system with just a few clicks.
    How do I reset my Windows 10 device?

  • Reinstalling Windows using an installation medium

  • If recovery with Medion Recovery is not possible, you can download Windows from Microsoft and create a bootable USB stick to reinstall Windows.
    You can do all this with the Media Creation Tool, which you can download here.

• Preparation: Data backup

• Data backup is an important part of any recovery or reinstallation process. Please keep this in mind, as lost data (e. g., application documents, wedding photos, music, programs, passwords, etc.) cannot be recovered afterwards.

  • Where can I back up data?

  • Do not store secure files on the Windows or recovery partition, instead, use a different hard drive and perform regular data backups.
    1. In the cloud: Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox
    2. On an external drive: USB stick, external hard drive

  • Where is my data usually stored?

  • In most cases, the data is located in the respective user account on the C:\User\ drive. Open Explorer, press WIN + E, double-click on C:, and open the Users folder. You will now find an overview of all user accounts that have been created on this Windows system. Open these and look in each folder to see if there is anything to back up.
    Once you have done this, open Windows Explorer again and check whether other drives (D:, E:, H:, etc.) are displayed there. Please also check for stored data there. It is possible that data is also stored at this location.

• The most important points at a glance:

• • What options do I have for reinstalling Windows?

  • 1. Factory settings with the MEDION Recovery Solution
    2. Windows recovery options
    3. USB stick with Windows 11

  • What happens to my data when I reset my device to factory settings?

  • Before reinstalling, ensure that all important data or programs have been backed up. Subsequent recovery is not possible.
    • Data: documents, images, videos, etc.
    • Programs: games, Office, tax software, etc.

  • Where can I find an overview of installed programs in Windows?

  • The quickest way to find the overview is to right-click on Start (the Windows flag) and select Installed Apps from the menu that appears.

  • How long does a new installation take?

  • A new installation of Windows usually takes 30-60 minutes.
    ⚠️Note⚠️ A new installation should only be considered if, for example, all other options have been exhausted, the system is infected or the time required to solve the problem is too great.

  • Will all devices be recognized during installation, or do I need to install anything else?

  • Windows comes with a large number of drivers and recognizes the most common components that are installed. If a device is not recognized in Device Manager after installation, it is recommended that you install all updates and drivers via Windows Update.
    For some hardware components, such as graphics cards, it is recommended to install the driver package from the manufacturer, as these offer more features than the basic version from Windows Update.

  • Do I need a product key for Windows?

  • A product key is not required for most devices. If one is required, it can be found on the housing.

  • How do I activate Windows?

  • Windows activates automatically as soon as an Internet connection is established. If you want to trigger activation manually and the system is not in S mode, enter the command slmgr -ato in the command line. Procedure: Press the Windows key, type cmd or Command Prompt, right-click on the result, and select Run as administrator. Confirm the following prompt with Yes. Now enter slmgr -ato in the window that appears and confirm with the Enter key. Once Windows has been activated, a pop-up message will display the status.

  • Where can I download Windows?

  • Windows 11: Download Windows 11

• Restoration via MEDION Recovery:

• MEDION Recovery Solution is usually preinstalled on MEDION devices, with the exception of devices running Windows in S mode. The program is primarily used to restore the factory settings, and we have published a short video on YouTube explaining how to do this. This video explains everything you need to know. MEDION recommends using MEDION Recovery to restore the factory settings.
  Video on YouTube: Reset Windows device to factory settings

• Restoration via system restore:

• 1. Open the operating system settings by right-clicking on Start (the Windows flag) and selecting Settings.
  2. Click on System, then on Recovery and finally on Reset PC. Note In S mode, Reset PC is not directly available. Instead, go to Advanced startup and select Restart now.
     After restarting, select Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and System Restore.
  3. Select option:
     
     

• Create installation media (Media Creation Tool):

• 1. Media Creation Tool can only be downloaded at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows11
  2. Connect a USB flash drive (at least 16 GB) (the contents will be deleted and replaced with the installation files).
  3. Start the tool and create the installation media.
  4. Wait until the process is complete.

• Starting your PC from a USB stick:

• 1. Insert USB stick
  2. Restart PC
  3. Start tool and create installation medium.
  4. Open boot menu (press the Delete, F8, or F12 key).
  5. Select USB stick

• Start Windows installation:

• 1. Select language and keyboard.
     
  2. Click Install now.
     
  3. Accept the license terms.
     
     

• Managing partitions:

• 1. Select Custom Installation.
     
  2. Delete all partitions on the system drive (after backing up your data).
     
  3. Select the unpartitioned area by clicking on it.
  4. Start the installation by clicking Next.

• Completing the installation:

• 1. Windows installs files and restarts several times.
  2. After completing the installation and before restarting for the initial Windows setup, remove the USB stick.
  3. Set up a user account and use Windows as usual after performing the necessary updates and installing any software you may need.

• Troubleshooting: Errors that sometimes occur

• • PC won't start from USB stick:

  • Open BIOS / UEFI (press the Delete, F2, or F12 key repeatedly when starting the computer). Set the USB drive to the first boot position. If necessary, plug the USB stick into a USB 2 port (= not a blue port) and try again.

  • Product key is required:

  • If you are asked for the key during installation with the Media Creation Tool, click I don't have a product key (or similar). Windows usually activates automatically. Make sure your computer has a stable internet connection and wait. Some Windows installations require you to enter the product key manually. In this case, you will find it on a sticker on the case.

  • BitLocker blocked:

  • Go to the website at aka.ms/myrecoverykey on a second device and log in with your Microsoft credentials, which you also use on the affected computer. Read the recovery key for the computer. Enter the recovery key on the PC.

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The information in this article refers to:

• MEDION devices with Windows operating system

ChangeLog:

• 2026-02-02 / Version 2.0
  [edit] body: Text
  [edit] footer: Changelog
• 2026-01-29
  Initial version

Article in other languages:

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Review Date: 2026-01-29