Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIt depends on which reset option you choose. Keep my files reinstalls Windows while preserving personal files, but removes apps and settings. Remove everything removes personal files, apps, and settings. Back up anything you need before starting; if the device is encrypted, find its BitLocker recovery key.
What each Reset this PC option removes
| Option | Personal files | Apps and settings | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep my files | Kept | Apps and settings are removed | When you want Windows reinstalled but need personal files to remain on the PC. |
| Remove everything | Removed | Apps and settings are removed | When you want a more complete reset, such as before transferring the PC to someone else. |
Both choices reinstall Windows. Keep my files is not an app-preserving repair: plan to reinstall applications and redo settings afterward. Microsoft’s general guidance describes the choices above; behavior can vary with a device maker’s recovery image or a managed PC.
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| 1 |
|
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What Clean data, Cloud download, and Local reinstall mean
Clean data
When paired with Remove everything, Clean data cleans the drive to make removed files harder for another person to recover. Microsoft says the feature is intended for consumers and does not meet government and industry data-erasure standards. It is not a guarantee that data is unrecoverable or a certified sanitization method. For a workplace device or disposal subject to specific requirements, follow the applicable organization or disposal procedure.
Cloud download or Local reinstall
These choices determine where Windows recovery files come from; they do not change whether you selected Keep my files or Remove everything.
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- Stay in touch with friends and family with Microsoft Teams, which can be seamlessly integrated into your taskbar. (1)
- Cloud download downloads a fresh copy of Windows and can help if local recovery files are corrupted or missing. It requires an internet connection.
- Local reinstall uses Windows files already on the PC. It may be faster with a slow internet connection, but may not include the latest updates.
Back up and check recovery access before you reset
- Back up important files. Copy them to a place you can access, such as an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or cloud storage. An external drive is optional; it is not required to run Reset this PC. Check that the backup contains the files you need and that you can open it.
- Find the BitLocker recovery key if the device is encrypted. Microsoft warns that you may need the key to complete a reset, including when using the recovery environment.
Do not count on a Windows.old folder as a fallback: Microsoft says Reset this PC does not create one. Windows.old recovery instructions apply to certain Windows upgrade paths, not this reset.
What to expect while the reset runs
A reset can take time, and the display may stay black for an extended period. Microsoft says this can occasionally last upwards of 15 minutes; that is a warning about a possible black-screen interval, not a promised duration. Do not manually restart the PC just because the screen appears stuck: interrupting the process can cause the reset to fail.
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Reset this PC is different from other Windows reinstall options
Windows has other recovery and reinstall workflows, and their retention behavior is not interchangeable with Reset this PC. Microsoft describes Fix problems using Windows Update as reinstalling Windows while preserving apps, files, and settings. By contrast, a clean installation from installation media removes personal files, apps, manufacturer customizations, and settings; starting Setup from within Windows may offer different keep-files-and-apps choices. Check the instructions for the specific workflow you are using rather than assuming every Windows reinstall keeps the same things.
If built-in recovery does not work, Microsoft also documents recovery drives and installation media as other recovery routes. A manufacturer recovery image may include device-specific drivers and factory apps; these are alternatives for particular recovery situations, not prerequisites for an ordinary Reset this PC operation.
Quick Recap
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