How to reinstall Windows and give your PC a fresh start

pcworld.com Sep 15, 2026

How to reinstall Windows and give your PC a fresh start

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 15, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Windows 11 and 10 now manage system cleanliness automatically, reducing the need for frequent reinstallations that were common with older versions like Windows 95 and XP. However, a fresh install remains useful when upgrading to Windows 11, clearing persistent junk, or simplifying system maintenance. Before reinstalling, users should back up data, create a disk clone, inventory installed programs, and deactivate software licenses that limit installations. These precautions ensure data recovery and a smoother post‑install setup. The guide outlines step‑by‑step preparation and execution for a secure reset.

💡 Why It Matters

· A clean reinstall can eliminate hidden registry clutter that slows performance, giving users a leaner, faster system without the hassle of manual cleanup.

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Best Antivirus for Windows 2026: 5 to Install, 1 to Avoid

A 2026 review ranks five paid Windows antivirus products and Microsoft Defender. Norton 360 tops the list, completing a full scan in 13 minutes 22 seconds and offering a robust firewall and 250 GB cloud backup. Bitdefender excels on older PCs, keeping CPU usage at 11 % and memory at 183 MB during a sweep. Avast One delivers a free, lab‑certified solution. NordVPN Threat Protection Pro provides full Windows protection for VPN subscribers. McAfee + offers unlimited device coverage but has the slowest scan. Microsoft Defender, free and built‑in, still shows gaps when the PC is off the network.

💡 The review highlights how performance, feature breadth, and pricing diverge across vendors, guiding users to match protection needs with system capabilities. It underscores that even the default Windows Defender is not a complete solution, prompting consideration of third‑party options.

windowscentral.com · Sep 16

Windows 11 just received another emergency update — is this the new…

Sean Endicott, a seasoned journalist at Windows Central, specializes in Windows 11, Surface hardware, Microsoft 365, AI, and broader Windows ecosystem coverage. Since 2017, he has authored over a thousand pieces, ranging from breaking news to in‑depth analysis. Endicott also writes the weekly Windows Wrap column, curating key stories and contextualizing them within the PC landscape. With a First Class Broadcast Journalism degree from Nottingham Trent University, he brings a background in live production to his tech reporting. Outside tech, he coaches youth American football in Nottingham, earning BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year in 2024.

💡 Endicott’s dual expertise in media production and tech journalism equips him to deliver timely, nuanced insights that shape reader understanding of Microsoft’s evolving products. His leadership in both fields underscores the growing intersection between technology reporting and community engagement.

blogs.windows.com · Sep 15

Microsoft’s partners debut new Windows PCs at IFA

At IFA 2026, Microsoft’s partners unveiled a broad lineup of Windows PCs, ranging from everyday models to premium designs, gaming rigs, commercial workstations, and developer-focused machines. The showcase highlighted new AI‑enabled features, such as the OpenClaw Windows App for local model execution and Project Zenith devices that provide high‑memory, high‑bandwidth environments for coding. Acer introduced the Vero 16, a sustainability‑focused laptop built with recycled aluminum and PCR plastic, while other partners expanded repairability and performance options across price points.

💡 The event demonstrates how Windows is evolving to meet diverse user needs—from AI integration to eco‑friendly design—while offering tangible upgrades that can extend a PC’s useful life.

windowscentral.com · Sep 15

Windows 11 update breaks copy and paste in Microsoft Excel

A recent Windows 11 update has caused a widespread issue in Microsoft Excel, disabling the copy‑and‑paste functionality for many users. The bug, first reported by several power users, prevents text and data from being transferred between cells, worksheets, or other applications. Microsoft acknowledged the problem and is working on a patch, with a fix expected in the next cumulative update. The disruption has affected both home and business users, prompting frustration across the Excel community.

💡 The glitch exposes how a single update can cripple a core productivity tool, underscoring the need for rigorous testing before release. It also highlights the growing reliance on cloud‑based office suites, where any downtime can ripple through daily workflows.

computerworld.com · Sep 14

Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday updates: Keeping up with the latest fixes

Microsoft’s September 2026 Patch Tuesday release addresses 963 CVEs, marking the largest security update of the year. The patch cycle includes fixes for two vulnerabilities already under active exploitation: CVE-2026-81963 in the Windows Update Stack and CVE-2026-85880 in Advanced Local Procedure Call. No flaws in this specific release were publicly disclosed prior to the patch. IT administrators are advised to prioritize immediate updates for Windows, Office, SQL Server, and developer tools, while scheduling standard releases for Exchange. This update follows a similarly heavy August cycle that resolved 751 CVEs, including an exploited elevation of privilege in the Windows WinSock driver. The July release also saw record-breaking activity, addressing 722 CVEs and two actively exploited flaws in Active Directory Federation Services and SharePoint Server. These consecutive high-volume releases underscore the persistent threat landscape facing enterprise environments.

💡 The sheer volume of critical fixes demands immediate triage to prevent lateral movement. Delaying deployment leaves exposed systems vulnerable to known, actively exploited attack vectors.

digit.in · Sep 14

Windows 11 latest update breaks audio on some PCs, says Microsoft

Microsoft confirmed that the September 2026 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11, identified as KB5124008, can disable audio on certain PCs. The defect primarily affects USB Audio Class 1.0 devices, causing the hardware to fail to initialise after installation. Users may find speakers, headphones or microphones silent, with the Sound settings page unresponsive and Device Manager showing a Code 10 error. The issue appears in both the 24H2 and 25H2 builds of Windows 11. Microsoft has not released a permanent fix, but recommends switching to two‑channel mode or using alternative wireless audio hardware as temporary work‑arounds. The company says a corrective patch is in development and will be issued later. Affected users are advised to roll back the update until the fix arrives promptly.

💡 Losing audio cripples real‑time collaboration tools, forcing professionals to scramble for work‑arounds during critical tasks.