Confused about how the Windows 10 Reset process works

[Moondoggy]

I'm confused about how the Windows 10 reset function works and I need some enlightenment.

Today, I decided to do a Windows 10 reset and wipe out my existing HD of all of the old apps, files, etc. (I have it all backed up with Acronis backup). I thought the correct procedure was to burn an install DVD for the Windows 10 platform I currently have, boot from the DVD, select Repair and then fire off the reset that way. I did that but when it got to that step it failed saying that there was a problem (of course) and that the reset could not proceed. After that failure I booted into my current Windows 10 system and went into repair and successfully fired off the reset function there. After my system came back up after the reset, my HD was completely clean and it appears that Windows 10 was completely reinstalled.

So my question is this.....

If you intend was to get a complete, total, clean install of Windows 10, how is it that the reset only works from within Windows 10? If you specified in the reset that you wanted the C: drive completely cleared of everything, how is it that Windows 10 is still there to be reinstalled once the C: drive has been flushed? What installation files were used to reinstall Windows 10 and where were they located if the C: drive was flushed?

Bottom line is this..... I've had so many problems with Windows 10 since the time I upgraded from Windows 7 it's not even funny. Now Windows 10 is being reinstalled on my PC from something that was put there during the upgrade and I'm concerned. Should I be? Can someone please enlighten me?

 

[0jonadams]

Windows 10 stores its entire install disk on the hard drive in a hidden folder (called $Windows.~WS, if i recall correctly). That way if you need to repair or do a clean install it has them available.

Basically what this reset does is load to a temporary boot disk (probably a virtual disk created in memory, not sure). Then it deletes everything on the hard drive except for the install disk files. Then it runs the install disk and goes through the windows install.

At that point you're getting the same sort of clean install that you would off of a separate install disk. The only difference is that you aren't killing your drive partition or file system.

Since everything is being erased and installed fresh it should work just the same as a completely clean install and there isn't really anything to worry about with that install.

The only two primary sources of problems at that point are if your install files were corrupted somehow and that messed with the install, or if your hardware doesn't have good drivers for windows 10. Of those two issues, the driver compatibility issues are a much more likely problem.

If you run into issues you should make certain you have installed the latest win10 compatible drivers for all of your components.