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Start by identifying where your files were backed up: Windows Backup may have synced selected folders to OneDrive, while File History and the older Backup and Restore (Windows 7) use a drive or network location. The right restore steps depend on which copy exists. If you chose Keep my files during the reset, check your Windows profile folders before restoring; if you chose Remove everything, look for a usable backup or try recovery for deleted local files.
First, check what the reset did
Windows offers reset options with different effects. Keep my files reinstalls Windows while retaining personal files, but removes apps and settings. If you used this option, sign in to Windows and check your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and other profile folders; Windows search can also help locate a file before you assume it needs to be restored from a backup.
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Remove everything removes personal files as well as apps and settings. In that case, use the backup method that was configured before the reset. A reset does not create a backup of files that were not saved elsewhere.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Microsoft’s reset guidance applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so a PC still running Windows 10 should not be treated as receiving ongoing support.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Identify the backup and choose its restore path
| Backup source | Where its copy is stored | What to do after a reset |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Backup folder sync | Selected folders synced to OneDrive | Sign in with the same Microsoft account; accept the restore offer during Windows setup if it appears, or access synced files in OneDrive. |
| File History | Configured external drive or network location | Reconnect that location and use File History to browse saved file versions and restore the files you need. |
| Backup and Restore (Windows 7) | Existing legacy backup archive, commonly on connected storage | Connect the device holding the archive and use the restore wizard in Control Panel. |
These are separate backup systems. A Windows setup restore prompt does not mean every file on the old PC was copied, and a File History or legacy archive will not appear unless its storage is available.
Restore files synced by Windows Backup to OneDrive
Windows Backup can sync the Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music folders to OneDrive when folder backup is enabled. It restores only the selected folders and files that were successfully synced before the reset—not every local file or application on the old PC.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- During Windows setup after reinstalling Windows or configuring a new PC, sign in with the same Microsoft account used for the backup.
- If Windows identifies an available backup, select it when prompted to restore.
- After setup, open OneDrive and sign in with that same account to access the backed-up files.
A free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage, according to Microsoft’s Windows Backup guidance. If the selected folders exceeded the available storage or syncing did not finish, some files may not have a cloud copy.
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Restore a File History version
File History saves personal files to the external drive or network location configured for it, and lets you browse saved versions. Connect the same backup location used before the reset, then open File History and browse to the files or versions you want to restore. Microsoft’s overview describes this workflow but does not specify a complete post-reset click-by-click path, so the exact interface can depend on the Windows version and configuration.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
If you no longer have access to the configured drive or network location, File History cannot retrieve its copies until that storage is available.
Restore an older Backup and Restore (Windows 7) archive
This is a legacy Windows backup feature; it can restore files only if an archive was created before the reset. Connect the external storage device containing the archive, then:
Rank #4
- 【Plug-and-Play Expandability】 With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use in Windows（For Mac，first format the drive and select the ExFat format.
- 【Fast Data Transfers 】The external hard drives with the USB 3.0 cable to provide super fast transfer speed. The theoretical read speed is as high as 110MB/s-133MB/s, and the write speed is as high as 103MB/s.
- 【High capacity in a small enclosure 】The small, lightweight design offers up to 500GB capacity, offering ample space for storing large files, multimedia content, and backups with ease. Weighing only 0.35 Lbs, it's easy to carry "
- 【Wide Compatibility】Supports PS4 5/xbox one/Windows/Linux/Mac and other operating systems, ensuring seamless integration with game consoles,various laptops and desktops .
- Important Notes for PS/Xbox Gaming Devices: You can play last-gen games (PS4 / Xbox One) directly from an external hard drive. However, to play current-gen games (PS5 / Xbox Series X|S), you must copy them to the console's internal SSD first. The external drive is great for keeping your library on hand, but it can't run the new games.
- Open Control Panel and search for Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
- Choose Select another backup to restore files from.
- Select the device and backup, then follow the wizard.
If the OneDrive files are missing or deleted
If the files had synced to OneDrive but were deleted, check the OneDrive recycle bin on the web. Microsoft’s stated recovery periods are different by account type:
- Personal Microsoft account: deleted items can be restored within 30 days.
- Work or school account: the stated period is 93 days unless an administrator has changed the retention policy.
- Microsoft 365 subscriber: OneDrive can roll back account activity within the most recent 30 days.
These windows are from Microsoft’s current OneDrive deleted-file guidance and OneDrive restore guidance. Files permanently removed from the recycle bin cannot be restored through that route.
Best Value
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
When no backup is available: try local file recovery carefully
Windows File Recovery is Microsoft’s command-line app for attempting to recover deleted files from local storage. It is not a backup, cannot recover files from cloud storage or network shares, and success is not guaranteed. Minimize use of the affected drive because new writes can overwrite space occupied by deleted data; if possible, recover files to a different drive.
Microsoft distributes Windows File Recovery through the Microsoft Store and provides its usage guidance at Recover lost files on Windows. Do not install recovery software onto the drive you are trying to recover if you can avoid it.
Do not use system rollback as a file restore
System Restore returns system files, registry settings, and installed programs to a restore point; Microsoft says it does not affect personal files. It is for Windows system state, not for retrieving selected files from OneDrive, File History, or a separate archive. A point-in-time restore can revert the broader system and lose changes made after the selected point, so it is not a substitute for a file backup.
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