Windows 10 preview makes it easier to do a fresh install

The Refresh Windows tool lets Windows 10 users install a recent, pristine copy of the operating system on their PC, eliminating all applications - including pre-loaded "crapware" - but retaining the personal files already on the drive. Notifications from your phone will also now appear in a separate "Windows Phone" group in Action Center.

The Start Fresh utility is here after first being tipped in May. So Microsoft has launched a more powerful tool to help you out. Microsoft has said that clean installing Windows 10 will "remove apps that came pre-installed or that you installed on your PC".

Available now for Microsoft's Windows Insider test community on the Fast Ring, Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14367 for PC and Mobile delivers features such as extended handwriting recognition language support and a new tool to perform clean installations of builds. The tool will make it much easier to do this as Windows 10's existing "reset" function restores from your PC's recovery partition, including preinstalled programs. If you are working on an application that you need to submit to the store, you should not install the preview. Should you wish to use it, you'd better back up any content, apps and other personal data, despite the fact that you have the option to keep your personal files. The Anniversary update, due in July, is expected to take the OS one step ahead to enhance productivity and users' experience.

In its blog, Microsoft pointed out that the tool may not install the latest build at all times; it is likely to install the version older than the one that Insiders have installed on their PCs. The tool isn't guaranteed to install the latest version, but Microsoft says it should be a "recent" version. That includes software like Microsoft Office, as well as any OEM tools (and drivers) that a manufacturer may have placed on your desktop or laptop. With a focus on fixing bugs and a freeze on new feature releases it sure seems like we're getting closer to the Anniversary Update roll out. Instead of having to track down an install image and create your own install media, the tool will do it all for you.

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