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To reinstall Windows on a Dell laptop while retaining personal files, use Windows Reset this PC and choose Keep my files. Back up important data first. This option keeps personal files, but removes installed apps and drivers and resets settings—it does not preserve your entire setup.
“Factory reset” can mean two different things: a Windows reset with Keep my files, or restoring Dell’s original factory image. The latter removes data, so it is not the option to choose when you need to keep files.
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Before you reset: back up important files
Dell recommends backing up data before refreshing or resetting Windows. Save files you cannot afford to lose to a separate location, such as cloud storage or an external drive, and make sure the copy is accessible. A reset is not a substitute for a backup.
Also note the apps and specialized software you use. You will need to reinstall removed programs afterward, and may need to reinstall drivers or restore settings.
#1 Best Overall
- Vibrant Visuals: Enjoy vivid, accurate colors with up to 300 nits brightness on a spacious 15" display featuring a sleek 3‑sided narrow bezel.
- AI Productivity: Boost efficiency with Intel Core Ultra processors and NPU‑powered AI features designed to keep multitasking smooth and responsive.
- Smarter Shortcuts: Use the dedicated Copilot key for instant access to your AI assistant, helping you organize, search, and work faster every day.
- Eye Comfort: Dell ComfortView reduces blue‑light emissions to help keep your eyes comfortable during extended viewing.
- Ergonomic Angle: Lifted hinges enhance typing comfort and support better airflow, helping your system run smoothly.
Reset a Dell laptop that still starts Windows
- Open Windows Search and type Reset this PC. In Windows 11, you can also select Start, type “Reset,” and open the reset system setting.
- Select Reset PC or Get Started, depending on the Windows interface shown.
- Choose Keep my files. Review the choices and do not select Remove everything if you want to retain personal files.
- Follow the on-screen prompts and let the laptop restart and reinstall Windows. Keep the laptop connected to power while it works.
When setup is complete, check that your files are present, then reinstall the apps you need and restore any settings or drivers that were removed. Dell’s Windows 10 instructions are legacy guidance: Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so use Windows 11 instructions where applicable.
If Windows will not start
Use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) reset route rather than Dell’s factory-image recovery if retaining personal files is the goal.
Rank #2
- Effortlessly chic. Always efficient. Finish your to-do list in no time with the Dell 15, built for everyday computing with 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U processor
- Designed for easy learning: Energy-efficient batteries and Express Charge support extend your focus and productivity.
- Stay connected to what you love: Spend more screen time on the things you enjoy with Dell ComfortView software that helps reduce harmful blue light emissions to keep your eyes comfortable over extended viewing times.
- Type with ease: Write and calculate quickly with roomy keypads, separate numeric keypad and calculator hotkey.
- Ergonomic support: Keep your wrists comfortable with lifted hinges that provide an ergonomic typing angle.
- Enter Windows Recovery Environment. If the recovery screen is available after a failed start, use its recovery options; the exact way to reach it can vary by Windows release and Dell model.
- Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Keep my files.
- Choose the offered reinstall method and follow the prompts. Local reinstall uses files already on the PC and is described by Dell as faster; Cloud download downloads Windows and may provide a newer version.
An encrypted laptop may ask for its BitLocker recovery key before you can continue. Dell estimates the WinRE reset may take 1–3 hours; that is an estimate, not a guaranteed duration, and the time depends on the system.
Which reset option keeps files?
| Option | Personal files | Apps, drivers, and settings | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Reset this PC: Keep my files | Retained, but back up first | Installed apps and drivers are removed; settings are reset | You want to reinstall Windows while keeping personal files |
| Windows Reset this PC: Remove everything | Removed | Windows is reinstalled and existing setup is removed | You intend to remove personal data, such as before changing ownership |
| Dell factory-image restore | Removed; Dell warns that this recovery path formats/removes data | Restores the original Dell image and software | You specifically need the original factory image and have backed up data |
Menu wording and available features can vary by Windows release and Dell model. Do not treat “Keep my files” as a full factory-image restoration: it is the Windows reset choice designed to retain personal files.
Rank #3
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
When SupportAssist OS Recovery may help
On supported Dell computers, SupportAssist OS Recovery may start after repeated boot failures. Its tools can diagnose hardware, back up files, repair Windows, or restore factory defaults. Factory-default restoration is not the file-preserving choice. Dell says Qualcomm processor computers are not supported by SupportAssist OS Recovery and should first try Windows Push-Button Reset.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Effortlessly chic. Always efficient. Finish your to-do list in no time with the Dell 15, built for everyday computing with Intel processors.
- Designed for easy learning: Energy-efficient batteries and Express Charge support extend your focus and productivity.
- Stay connected to what you love: Spend more screen time on the things you enjoy with Dell ComfortView software that helps reduce harmful blue light emissions to keep your eyes comfortable over extended viewing times.
- Type with ease: Write and calculate quickly with roomy keypads, separate numeric keypad and calculator hotkey.
- Ergonomic support: Keep your wrists comfortable with lifted hinges that provide an ergonomic typing angle.
Rank #4
- Edge-to-edge clarity: Enjoy crisp, expansive visuals on a 16" screen with up to FHD+ and a 16:10 aspect ratio—delivering a wide, immersive viewing experience.
- All-day comfort: Dell ComfortView Plus helps reduce harmful blue light emissions while preserving true-to-life color, keeping your eyes comfortable even during prolonged screen time.
- Ready for business: Flip between effortless productivity and captivating entertainment on a large, immersive screen powered by Intel Core 7-150U processor and graphics.
- Built for virtual connection: Bring your connections to life with an up-to FHD camera, designed with wide dynamic range and temporal noise reduction to deliver crisp, sharp images, no matter the lighting conditions.
- Adaptive thermals: Built-in technology allows your PC to sense when it's on a stable surface and adjusts its power and thermals to run more efficiently.
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