It depends on which reset option you choose. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, Keep my files retains personal files but removes installed apps and settings. Remove everything removes personal files, apps, and settings. Back up important files before starting either reset.
What does each Windows reset option remove?
Microsoft describes these options for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Both reinstall Windows; neither is a way to reinstall Windows while keeping your apps and settings.
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| Reset option | Personal files | Installed apps | Settings | May suit you if… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keep my files | Kept | Removed | Removed | You want Windows reinstalled but want to retain personal files. |
| Remove everything | Removed | Removed | Removed | You want a fresh start or are preparing to give away or sell the PC. |
“Personal files” means files such as documents and photos. The choice does not preserve installed programs or restore your customized Windows settings. See Microsoft’s Reset your PC guidance for the options and their effects.
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Does Keep my files remove apps and settings?
Yes. The option keeps personal files, but removes installed apps and resets settings. Make a note of programs you will need to reinstall and any important configuration details before you reset.
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What does Remove everything delete?
It removes personal files, installed apps, and settings from the Windows installation. Choose it only after backing up anything you need. If you select Remove everything, Windows may also offer Clean data. Microsoft says this makes removed files harder for other people to recover, but the consumer feature does not meet government or industry data-erasure standards. It is not a guarantee of secure erasure.
Cloud download and Local reinstall do not change what is kept
After choosing whether to keep files or remove everything, the reset flow may ask how to reinstall Windows. This is a separate decision: it selects the installation source, not whether your personal files, apps, or settings are kept.
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- Cloud download: Downloads a fresh copy of Windows. Microsoft says it can help if local Windows files are corrupted or missing.
- Local reinstall: Uses files already on the PC. It may be faster on a slow internet connection, but may not include the latest updates.
What to do before resetting
- Back up important files. Use an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud location such as OneDrive. Microsoft recommends backing up before recovery because some recovery options can cause data loss. Its Windows recovery guidance also points to Windows Backup at Settings > Accounts > Windows Backup.
- Locate your BitLocker recovery key if the device is encrypted. Windows may require it to complete recovery, particularly if you use the Windows Recovery Environment.
- Consider a less disruptive fix first. Depending on your problem and Windows version, options may include running a troubleshooter, uninstalling a recent update, or using System Restore. On Windows 11, Fix problems using Windows Update can reinstall the current version while preserving apps, files, and settings when that option is available. See Microsoft’s repair reinstall instructions.
- Let the reset finish. The screen may stay black for a long time, and the device may restart itself. Microsoft warns not to manually restart the PC during this process because doing so can cause the reset to fail.
Reset this PC is different from reinstalling Windows using USB media
The built-in Reset this PC flow is not the same as running Windows Setup from installation media. Setup from USB offers its own choices: keep personal files and apps, keep personal files only, or keep nothing. Read the option displayed on screen before continuing; the selected setup choice determines what is retained. Microsoft explains this process in its installation media guidance.
A USB drive or external hard drive can be used for backups or recovery media, but neither is required for the ordinary built-in reset. A cloud location is also an option for backing up files.
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