Aurora R5 Windows 10 Clean Install Question

Computers generally do not come with restore media anymore but you can create it by clicking here.  Also your Windows Key is embedded onto the UEFI/BIOS so you don't need that either.  

The Windows Key is burned into the BIOS.  If you want to know it, there are free tools (like NeoSmart's) on the net that will reveal it (although, it's not required to re-install Windows on this motherboard).

You can use Windows-10 Tools. That Recovery Partition likely belongs to Windows-10 for a Reset Restore. For basic Disk Imaging, I like to use Macrium Reflect Free.

To create a Windows-10 flash drive (for clean-installs), see this:

en.community.dell.com/.../19999261

Thanks. I'm no computer expert but I'm not a noob either and I found this whole thing difficult to find the answer to. I searched the Alienware forum by the search on the right side of the screen and all it does is return zero results. So I googled answers on this domain and all I ever found were the same few threads that didn't address my issue.

Part of it might be this is the first computer I've bought in eight years but why does it seem to me that this whole process is so obtuse. Why isn't this process laid out plainly like a link on the desktop and a booklet with the computer. I would imagine that for many buying an Alienware they may want to do a fresh install as soon as the get a new pc and and reinstall Windows periodically. I used to reinstall Windows every few months. I've found it less needful to do this the longer I've used Windows 7 but it should be easy to do at the very least. The last computer I bought was the first Aurora and it came with two recovery DVDs and a giant 12"x4"x1.5" manual that covered all you'd ever need to know about the hardware etc. Not to go on a tangent but it seems like Alienware/Dell are cheaping out on these latest Aurora. The original Aurora had a lot better fit and finish and was built like a tank. Also, I've been using Win 8.1 on a work PC for several years and I'm perfectly happy with it and I don't particularly like the changes in Windows 10, especially with regard to taking control away from the user like with Windows Update. I can't find out anymore how to pick and choose what things get updated and when.

Anyway, end of rant. So, in short Windows installation authenticates from the EFI partition? What if it gets deleted?

Yes, I have that same DVDs, leather manual, etc. Do I ever use them any more ... no. Most users would lose the discs or not bother to create the discs or USB-Flash Drive (since some computers don't even have optical drives any more). Do I like genuine discs ... sure, but things usually change for a reason.

Some users also had problems getting all required (optimal, updated, working, etc.) drivers installed. Maybe that is why the industry is moving towards publishing them with Microsoft, and letting them install them automatically. Heck, some users didn't even install the Windows Updates or Service Packs. Basically they were running an old version of Windows and major Apps (and then complained when something crashed). Now, it updates like your SmartPhone.

Instead of each manufacturer coming up with their own "Recovery Solution" you can do it from Windows-10's built-in tools now. You can even Reset Restore without any discs or flash-drives. To me, the core Windows seems to be more isolated from drivers and apps than before. Even OS-Upgrades (like from 7 to 10) seem to work better now (what a nightmare that used to be ... I learnt not to even try back then).
 
Yes, Microsoft upgraded their OEM-Activation (I think mostly back in Win-8 days) so Windows Key is now burned into the actual BIOS firmware on the motherboard (not the hard-disk). UEFI Diags also run from motherboard itself.

So create the Recovery Flash drive:
http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN297924

In fact, after you use it ... report back here and let us know if you see anything "Alienware" on the system initially (logos, pics, themes, etc). I think you will see little if any.
 
You can also make a perfect copy of Windows-10 (64bit) here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

You could also keep a set of custom drivers that you used on last install and some notes on a flash drive. Now-days, I only bother with the ones for devices in Error ( in Device Manager ) after "First Time Install and Setup" ... what Windows-10 could not fix with online Windows Updates. The list will likely be short. If you want latest NVidia (or AMD) Suite, I don't think Windows will over-write those. Get Alienware Command Center and you are pretty much done.

It's been years since I've done a clean-install and reload of drivers, apps, utilities, and re-integrating data ... on my main development computer. IIRC, it took me 15-20 hours over a period of several days to do it. That is why I then made a perfect/clean/verified Macrium Reflect Image of the system. That "point in time" is as far back as I will likely ever need to go. I will keep it forever (well, the life of the system) as my "Recovery Drive".

I miss the old days too, but I think we tend to forget how it was. Also, how many computers do you take care of (keep updated, etc.)? Let me count around just the house here real quick ... computers (desktops and laptops), smart-phones, tablets, media-centers ... I count 15. Each gets multiple minor updates and at least one-major OS update a year. That's not even counting the other "smart" TVs, home-theater components, appliances, or vehicles. [:)]