Quick Answer
To reset Windows 10: go to Settings (Win+I) > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started. Choose "Keep my files" to reinstall Windows while keeping personal files (removes all apps), or "Remove everything" for a complete wipe. The process takes 30–60 minutes. Your PC will restart multiple times — this is normal. Do NOT turn it off during the reset.
A Windows 10 reset is the most powerful fix available for a PC that is crashing, infected with malware, impossibly slow, or simply needs to be wiped clean before you sell or give it away. The good news: you do not need a disc, a product key, or any technical expertise. Microsoft built the reset tool directly into Windows 10 — it is free, reliable, and takes less than an hour in most cases.
This guide covers every method for resetting Windows 10, including what to do when your PC will not boot, when the built-in reset fails, and exactly which option to choose based on your situation. We start with what to back up before you touch anything.
Critical Warning Before You Reset
Even the "Keep my files" option removes ALL installed programs — Microsoft Office, Adobe, browsers, games, everything. Write down every application you use and locate your license keys before starting. Personal files in Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures, and Music are preserved by "Keep my files" — but always back them up anyway. A reset cannot be undone once it begins.
5 Methods + Everything You Need to Know
- Before You Reset: Backup Checklist
- Method 1 — Reset via Settings (Keep My Files)
- Method 2 — Reset via Settings (Remove Everything)
- Method 3 — Reset from Recovery Environment (PC Won't Boot)
- Method 4 — Reset using Windows 10 USB Installation Media
- Method 5 — Try SFC + DISM Before Full Reset
- Keep Files vs. Remove Everything: Which to Choose?
- How Long Does a Windows 10 Reset Take?
- After the Reset: What to Do First
Before You Reset: Backup Checklist
A reset is a one-way operation. Even with "Keep my files" selected, data loss is possible if something unexpected happens mid-process — a power outage, a hardware failure, or a reset that encounters an error. Do not skip this section.
- Personal files: Copy your entire Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos folders to an external drive or USB stick. If you use OneDrive, verify that sync is complete and up to date.
- Browser bookmarks and passwords: Export bookmarks from Chrome (Settings → Bookmarks → Export), Firefox (Bookmarks → Manage Bookmarks → Import and Backup), or Edge (Favorites → three dots → Export). If you use a password manager tied to your browser, confirm your passwords sync to the cloud.
- Software license keys: Use a free tool like Belarc Advisor or ProduKey to extract all your installed software product keys to a text file. Pay special attention to Microsoft Office, Adobe products, and any paid utilities.
- Email and contacts: If you use a desktop email client like Outlook or Thunderbird (not web-based Gmail), export your email archive and contact list before resetting.
- Game saves and app data: Many games store saves in
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\(a hidden folder). Check your game's documentation or use a tool like GameSave Manager to back up saves you care about. - Wi-Fi passwords: After resetting, you will need to reconnect to your network. Note down your Wi-Fi password or make sure you can access your router settings.
- Printer and peripheral drivers: Note the make and model of your printer, scanner, or any specialized hardware so you can download drivers from the manufacturer's site after the reset.
Fastest Backup Method
Plug in a USB drive (8 GB minimum), open File Explorer, and drag your Desktop, Documents, and Downloads folders directly onto the drive. This takes 5–20 minutes and covers 95% of what most users need to preserve. Do this before anything else.
Method 1: Reset via Settings — Keep My Files
Reset via Settings > Recovery (Keep My Files)
Recommended MethodThis is the right choice for most people. Windows reinstalls itself completely while preserving your personal files in standard folders. All third-party applications are removed, but your documents, photos, music, and downloads remain intact. Use this when your PC is slow, infected with malware, or behaving erratically — and you can still get into Windows.
- Press Win + I to open Settings. Click Update & Security.
- In the left panel, click Recovery. Under "Reset this PC," click Get Started.
- When the dialog appears, select "Keep my files." Windows will show you a list of apps that will be removed — review it carefully.
- On the next screen, choose "Cloud download" (downloads a fresh Windows 10 copy — requires internet, takes longer but is more reliable) or "Local reinstall" (uses files already on your drive — faster, works offline).
- Click Next, review the summary screen, then click Reset to begin. Your PC will restart immediately and begin the process.
- Wait while Windows resets. Your PC will restart 2–4 times during the process — do not turn it off. The screen may stay black for several minutes at a time. This is normal.
- When setup completes, Windows will prompt you to sign in and walk through a brief setup wizard. Your personal files will be in their original folders.
- A folder named "Windows.old" may appear on your C: drive containing remnants of the old installation — you can safely delete it via Disk Cleanup once you confirm everything is working.
Method 2: Reset via Settings — Remove Everything
Reset via Settings > Recovery (Remove Everything)
Complete Clean WipeThis option wipes everything — your files, applications, and all Windows settings — and installs a completely clean copy of Windows 10. Use it when you are selling or giving away your PC, when a virus has deeply compromised the system, or when you want an absolute fresh start with nothing carried over.
- Complete the backup checklist above. Everything on this PC will be deleted permanently.
- Press Win + I → Update & Security → Recovery → Get Started.
- Select "Remove everything."
- Choose "Cloud download" or "Local reinstall." Cloud download is recommended for the cleanest result if you have a stable internet connection.
- On the next screen, click "Change settings." You will see a toggle for "Data erasure."
- If keeping the PC: leave Data erasure Off. Windows deletes your files but does not overwrite them (faster, ~45 minutes).
If selling or donating: turn Data erasure On. Windows overwrites free space so data cannot be recovered (slower, 2–4 hours, but essential for privacy). - Click Confirm → Next → Reset. The PC will restart and begin the full wipe and reinstall.
- After the reset, Windows will walk you through initial setup as if it were a brand new PC — choose your region, language, Wi-Fi network, and Microsoft account or local account.
Method 3: Reset from Windows Recovery Environment (PC Won't Boot)
Reset from Windows Recovery Environment
When Windows Won't StartIf Windows 10 will not boot at all — it crashes on startup, gets stuck in a restart loop, or shows a blue screen before reaching the desktop — you can access the Reset function through the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) without needing a disc or USB drive.
- Method A (from a working Windows session): Hold Shift and click Start → Power → Restart. Your PC will boot into the recovery environment instead of Windows.
- Method B (PC won't start at all): Force-restart your PC 3 times in a row by holding the power button during startup. After the third interrupted boot, Windows 10 automatically enters the recovery environment with the message "Preparing Automatic Repair."
- In the recovery environment, navigate to Troubleshoot → Reset this PC.
- Choose "Keep my files" or "Remove everything" as described in Methods 1 and 2.
- Choose "Cloud download" (requires Wi-Fi connection in WinRE — click the network icon in the bottom-right corner to connect) or "Local reinstall."
- Click Reset and allow the process to complete. Do not interrupt power.
Method 4: Reset using Windows 10 USB Installation Media
Reset using Windows 10 USB Installation Media
When Built-in Reset FailsWhen the built-in reset reports an error like "There was a problem resetting your PC" or the recovery environment is inaccessible, a bootable USB drive gives you a fresh copy of Windows 10 from outside the broken installation. You will need a second working PC and an 8 GB or larger USB drive to create the media.
- On a working PC, go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows10 and click "Download tool now" to get the Media Creation Tool.
- Run the tool, accept the license, and choose "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC."
- Select language, edition (Windows 10), and architecture (64-bit for most PCs). Insert your USB drive and select it as the destination. The tool downloads and writes Windows 10 — this takes 15–40 minutes depending on your internet speed.
- Insert the USB into the broken PC. Restart it and enter the boot menu by pressing the key shown on startup — typically F12, F8, F9, or Esc depending on your PC brand. Select the USB drive from the boot list.
- When the Windows Setup screen appears, choose your language settings and click Next, then "Install now."
- Click "I don't have a product key" — Windows 10 will automatically activate using the digital license tied to your motherboard once installation completes and you connect to the internet.
- On the "Which type of installation?" screen, select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" for a clean wipe. Select your existing Windows partition, click Next, and allow the installation to complete.
Method 5: Run SFC + DISM Before Full Reset (Try This First)
System File Repair via Command Prompt (SFC + DISM)
Try Before ResettingIf your Windows 10 problems are caused by corrupted system files rather than a deep infection or hardware issue, two built-in command-line tools can repair them without resetting or reinstalling anything. Try this first — it takes 15–30 minutes and preserves everything on your PC.
- Click the Start menu, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select "Run as administrator."
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
System File Checker will scan all protected Windows files and automatically replace any corrupted ones. This takes 10–20 minutes. Do not close the window. - When SFC finishes, run DISM to repair the Windows image itself:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
This downloads and replaces damaged Windows component files. Requires an internet connection. Takes 10–20 minutes. - After DISM completes, run SFC one more time:
sfc /scannow— this allows SFC to fix anything it couldn't repair before DISM restored the source files. - Restart your PC and test whether the problem is resolved. If it persists after all three scans, proceed with a full reset using Method 1 or 2.
Keep My Files vs. Remove Everything: Which to Choose?
The right choice depends entirely on why you are resetting. Here is a direct comparison to help you decide:
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| PC is slow, crashing, or unstable but data matters | Keep My Files |
| Malware or virus infection — files are important | Keep My Files |
| Selling, donating, or recycling the PC | Remove Everything + Data Erasure On |
| Severe ransomware or rootkit infection | Remove Everything |
| Complete fresh start, no files to keep | Remove Everything |
| Handing to a family member to reuse | Remove Everything |
| Windows won't boot, files backed up | Remove Everything |
| Windows won't boot, files NOT backed up | Keep My Files (from WinRE) |
Remember: "Keep My Files" Still Removes All Apps
Both options reinstall Windows from scratch. The only difference is what happens to your personal data files. Neither option keeps your installed programs. Microsoft Office, your antivirus, Chrome, Adobe — all of it must be reinstalled. This is why writing down your apps and license keys before the reset is so important.
How Long Does a Windows 10 Reset Take?
Reset time varies significantly based on the method, your storage type, and whether you choose cloud or local reinstall. Here are realistic expectations:
- Method 1 — Keep My Files (Local reinstall, SSD): 20–35 minutes
- Method 1 — Keep My Files (Local reinstall, HDD): 40–60 minutes
- Method 1 — Keep My Files (Cloud download): Add 15–30 minutes for the download
- Method 2 — Remove Everything (no data erasure): 45–75 minutes
- Method 2 — Remove Everything (data erasure On): 2–5 hours
- Method 3 — Recovery environment reset: Same as Methods 1–2 above
- Method 4 — USB installation media: 60–120 minutes (includes download time for media creation)
Your PC will appear to "freeze" or sit at a specific percentage for long periods during the reset. Do not panic and do not force-restart unless the progress has been completely static for more than 2 hours with no disk activity. The disk activity light on your PC is a better indicator of work being done than the on-screen percentage.
After the Reset: What to Do First
A freshly reset Windows 10 installation is not fully ready to use. Follow this sequence to get back to a secure, functional state as quickly as possible:
Post-Reset Setup Sequence
Do This in Order- Step 1 — Run Windows Update immediately. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Check for updates. A fresh Windows 10 install may be missing months or years of security patches. Install all available updates and restart. Repeat until no updates remain. This may take 30–60 minutes.
- Step 2 — Install your antivirus. Windows Defender activates automatically and provides solid baseline protection. If you use a third-party antivirus, install it before browsing the web.
- Step 3 — Install your browser. Open Edge (the default browser after reset), go to chrome.google.com or mozilla.org, and download your preferred browser. Sign in to sync your bookmarks.
- Step 4 — Update your drivers. Go to Device Manager (right-click Start → Device Manager) and look for any yellow warning triangles. For your graphics card, download the latest driver directly from Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA's website rather than relying on Windows Update.
- Step 5 — Reinstall your applications. Work through your list of software. Install apps one at a time, restarting when prompted. Activate using your saved license keys.
- Step 6 — Restore your files. Copy your backed-up files from the external drive back to their original folders. Check that everything is intact before disconnecting the backup drive.
- Step 7 — Set up Windows Backup. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Backup and configure File History to back up to an external drive automatically. Now that you are starting fresh, this is the perfect time to build a backup habit.
Reset Complete: Your PC Should Feel New
A properly completed Windows 10 reset eliminates nearly all software-based problems: malware, corrupt files, broken updates, performance degradation, and mysterious errors. If significant problems return within a few weeks of a clean reset, the cause is hardware — typically a failing hard drive or overheating components. In that case, contact a technician for a hardware diagnosis.
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