reinstalling original windows 10 after hard drive failure and replacement.

[juddpuppy]

I had a damaged hard drive that needed replaced. I took it to a repair shop where they pulled off my docs and they replaced the hard drive and installed a version of windows 10, but it does not work like my original version to navigate and does not have my internet explorer which online it says is part of my windows 10.  I read online I should be able to install the original version because it was part of the free upgrade and my computer would be recoginzed and would intsall back the original system. When I tried my flash drive lost all the info I had on it and needed reformatted which was not included in the instructions and an error message said the media creation toll did not work.  All I want is the original functions I had paid for to have on my brand new computer with the same applications included with my windows 10 such as internet explorer. How do I get these things back without any surprises. And withoiut ruining more hardware and loosing more software and docs.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Internet Explorer is included in W10, but it doesn't show up easily.

Open the search window (the icon next to the Windows icon at the bottom left side of your taskbar) and type Intenet Explorer.

Internet Explorer (Desktop App) should show up in the search window.

What I do is to right click on the IE app and select Pin to Taskbar.

Then it is easily accessible.

[juddpuppy]

Thanks,

that worked to get my old browser back.  I dont know what else I am missing for now. I know this install does not navigate or have some of the same terms for places I used before, but my browser is a big help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Here's the problem...

Microsoft keeps revising W10 every 6 months, so what you had on there before the hard drive crashed, is probably not the same version the PC repair shop reinstalled.

The Microsoft media creation tool website only includes the latest release of W10, so going back to the version you had on there before would be problematic.

In any event, it is probably best to have the latest version installed (version 1809), because of the security update support.

I have had to 're-setup' Windows 10 almost every time they update it, and they always seem to throw in some new gimmick that I have to figure out.