Home data recovery reset troubleshooting windows

Windows 11/10: Restore Factory Settings AND Keep Your Files with 'Reset this PC'

Updated: • 0 • min read
Table of Contents

When your Windows 11 or Windows 10 operating system encounters persistent issues that hinder its performance, the Reset this PC feature offers a practical solution. This built-in utility allows you to restore your system to a cleaner state, potentially resolving software conflicts and improving overall stability. Importantly, you have the option to preserve your personal files during this process, making it a less drastic measure than a complete system wipe. This guide will walk you through the steps to reset your Windows PC to factory settings while ensuring your valuable data remains untouched.

How to Reset Your Windows 11 PC

Resetting your Windows 11 PC can be an effective first step in troubleshooting performance problems. The process is generally straightforward and automated, minimizing user intervention. If you are experiencing difficulties even starting your computer, attempting a reset can often be a viable solution to regain functionality. Let’s explore how to use the ‘Reset this PC’ feature in Windows 11 to restore your system to its default configuration without losing your personal files.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resetting Windows 11

  1. Access Settings: Begin by opening the Settings app. The quickest way to do this is by pressing the Windows key + I simultaneously. This keyboard shortcut will directly launch the Settings application.

  2. Navigate to Windows Update: In the Settings window, locate and click on Windows Update from the left-hand menu. This section manages updates, but also houses recovery options.

  3. Go to Advanced Options: Within the Windows Update settings, find and select Advanced options. This area contains less commonly used, but important system settings including recovery.

    Advanced Options Windows Update

  4. Choose Recovery Tab: On the Advanced Options screen, look for and click on the Recovery tab. This tab specifically deals with system recovery and reset functionalities.

  5. Initiate Reset PC: Under the Recovery options, you will find the Reset PC button. Click this button to start the reset process.

    Reset PC Button Windows 11

  6. Follow On-Screen Instructions: After clicking ‘Reset PC’, Windows will guide you through a series of on-screen prompts. Carefully read and follow each instruction to proceed with the reset.

Detailed Breakdown of the Windows 11 Reset Process

Let’s delve deeper into each step for a clearer understanding.

  1. Opening Settings (Win+I): Pressing the Windows key and the ‘I’ key together is a universal shortcut to open the Settings app in Windows. This is a convenient and quick way to access system settings.

  2. Windows Update Selection: Within the Settings app, choosing Windows Update is crucial. Although primarily for updates, it logically groups system recovery options under “Advanced options,” reflecting the idea of system maintenance and restoration.

  3. Accessing Advanced Options: The Advanced options in Windows Update are designed for users who need more control over their update experience and system recovery. Clicking on this reveals the Recovery settings.

    Windows Update Advanced Options

  4. Recovery Tab Navigation: The Recovery tab is specifically dedicated to options for restoring your system to a previous state or resetting it entirely. This is where the ‘Reset this PC’ functionality is located.

  5. Clicking the Reset PC Button: Clicking the Reset PC button is the trigger to initiate the system reset. Windows will then begin preparing for the reset process and present you with choices about how you want to proceed.

  6. On-Screen Instructions and Options: After initiating the reset, you will be presented with two key options:

    • Keep my files: This option will remove apps and settings, but preserve your personal files located in user folders like Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos. This is the option to choose if you want to reset Windows while keeping your data.
    • Remove everything: This option will remove all personal files, apps, and settings. It essentially performs a clean installation of Windows. You will be further prompted to choose whether to remove files from all drives or just the drive where Windows is installed, and whether to clean the drives (which is more secure but takes longer).

    Choose Keep my files to reset your PC without losing your personal data.

    Reset PC Options Windows 11

    After selecting an option, a “Getting things ready” screen will appear, indicating that Windows is preparing to perform the reset. This process may take a few minutes.

    You will then be shown a list of applications that will be removed during the reset. Importantly, Windows will save a list of these removed apps to your desktop. This list can be helpful for reinstalling necessary applications after the reset is complete.

    If your PC was recently upgraded to Windows 11, you might see a warning message stating that you won’t be able to revert to the previous version of Windows after resetting. Carefully consider this if you are unsure about proceeding with the reset.

    Click Next to continue. Finally, click the Reset button to begin the actual reset process. Be aware that this process can take up to an hour or more, and your computer will restart several times during the operation. Ensure you have enough time and power available before initiating the reset.

Reset this PC in Windows 10

The process to reset your PC in Windows 10 is similar to Windows 11, although the navigation path within the Settings app is slightly different. Here’s how to access the ‘Reset this PC’ feature in Windows 10.

Steps to Reset Windows 10 PC

  1. Open Settings: Open the Settings app in Windows 10. You can do this by clicking on the Start Menu and then selecting the Settings icon (gear icon).

  2. Click on Update & Security: In the Settings window, find and click on Update & Security. This section manages Windows updates and security settings, and also contains recovery options.

    Update and Security Windows 10

  3. Select Recovery in the Left Pane: In the Update & Security window, select Recovery from the left-hand menu. This will display the recovery options in the right pane.

  4. Click Get Started under Reset this PC: In the right pane, under the Reset this PC section, click the Get started button. This will initiate the ‘Reset this PC’ process.

    Get Started Reset PC Windows 10

  5. Follow On-Screen Instructions: Similar to Windows 11, Windows 10 will guide you through a series of on-screen instructions. Follow these prompts carefully to complete the reset.

Detailed Steps for Windows 10 Reset

  1. Accessing Settings: Opening Settings via the Start Menu is a standard method in Windows 10. Clicking the gear icon ensures you are in the system settings area.

  2. Navigating to Update & Security: The Update & Security section in Windows 10 Settings consolidates update management, security features, and system recovery options. This is the central hub for system maintenance.

  3. Recovery Option in Left Pane: Selecting Recovery in the left-hand pane of the Update & Security window specifically focuses the right-hand pane on system restoration and reset functionalities.

  4. Clicking ‘Get started’ Button: The Get started button under ‘Reset this PC’ is the active element that launches the reset wizard. Clicking this button begins the interactive reset process.

  5. On-Screen Prompts and Choices: After clicking ‘Get started’, Windows 10 presents you with similar options as Windows 11:

    • Keep my files: Choosing this option in Windows 10 also removes apps and settings, but retains your personal files. This is the recommended option for preserving data during a reset.
    • Remove everything: Selecting this option will erase all personal files, apps, and settings, performing a clean reset. You will be prompted with choices similar to Windows 11 regarding removing files from all drives and drive cleaning.

    Select Keep my files if your goal is to reset Windows 10 while keeping your personal documents, pictures, and other data intact.

    Reset PC Options Windows 10

    As with Windows 11, after making your selection, Windows 10 will display a “Getting things ready” screen while it prepares for the reset. You will also see a list of apps that will be removed and a warning about potential inability to revert to a previous Windows version if you recently upgraded.

    Click Next and then Reset to start the process. The Windows 10 reset process also takes a considerable amount of time, potentially around an hour, and involves multiple restarts.

Important Considerations Before Resetting

Before you proceed with resetting your Windows PC, consider these important points:

  • Backup is Highly Recommended: While the ‘Keep my files’ option is designed to preserve your personal data, it is always prudent to back up your important files to an external drive or cloud storage before initiating a reset. This serves as a safety net in case anything unexpected occurs during the reset process.
  • Time Commitment: The reset process can take a significant amount of time, often ranging from 30 minutes to an hour or more, depending on your system and the chosen options. Ensure you have allocated enough time and your device is connected to a power source, especially for laptops, to prevent interruption during the reset.
  • App Reinstallation: Remember that resetting your PC, even with the ‘Keep my files’ option, will remove all installed applications and programs that did not come pre-installed with your PC. You will need to reinstall these applications after the reset is complete. The list of removed apps saved to your desktop can be a helpful guide for this process.
  • Settings Restoration: All your customized settings will be reverted to their default values after the reset. You will need to reconfigure your settings according to your preferences after the process is finished.
  • Cloud Reset Option: For Windows 10 and 11, there is also a Cloud Reset option available in some cases. This option downloads a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft’s servers to perform the reset. It can be useful if your local system files are corrupted, but it requires a stable internet connection and may take longer than a local reset.

Does Factory Resetting Delete Everything?

Factory resetting, in the context of the ‘Reset this PC’ feature with the “Keep my files” option, does not delete everything. It is designed to revert your system software to its original state while preserving your personal files. Specifically:

  • Removed: All applications, drivers, and programs that you installed after receiving your PC will be removed.
  • Reset: System settings will be restored to their default configurations.
  • Kept (if you choose ‘Keep my files’): Your personal files, typically located in user folders like Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, and Desktop, will be retained.

However, if you choose the “Remove everything” option, then everything will be deleted, including personal files, apps, and settings. This option essentially performs a complete system wipe and reinstalls Windows.

Therefore, the impact of factory resetting depends entirely on the option you select during the ‘Reset this PC’ process. Always choose ‘Keep my files’ if you intend to preserve your personal data.

Have you ever used the ‘Reset this PC’ feature? What was your experience? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!

Post a Comment