If your Windows 10 PC has become slow, unstable, or buggy, you don’t always need a full clean install from a USB. Microsoft includes a Reset this PC feature that can reinstall Windows and fix most software problems while keeping your personal files safe. Reset this PC is a built‑in recovery tool that reinstalls Windows 10 using a clean system image. You can choose to keep your personal files or remove everything and start completely fresh, which helps fix performance issues, malware infections, and system file corruption.

In this article, you will learn,

  • How to reset Windows 10 without losing personal files
  • What happens to your apps, settings, and drivers
  • How to start a reset from Settings or from boot/Advanced Startup

What is “Reset this PC” in Windows 10?

Reset this PC is a recovery feature built into Windows 10 that lets you reinstall the operating system automatically without needing separate installation media.

When you use Reset this PC, Windows:

  • Reinstalls a fresh copy of Windows 10 using either Cloud download or Local reinstall

Let you choose between:

  • Keep my files – reinstall Windows, but try to keep your personal files in your user folders
  • Remove everything – wipe your files, apps, and settings for a completely clean start

What Does Reset this PC Keep and Delete

This makes Reset this PC very useful when:

  • Your PC is slow, unstable, or crashing and normal fixes don’t help
  • You’ve had malware or adware that keeps coming back
  • System files are corrupted and tools like SFC or DISM couldn’t fully repair them

It’s not exactly the same as a full manual clean install from USB, but for most users, it’s the fastest and safest way to refresh Windows 10 while still having control over what gets kept or deleted.

Before You Reset Windows 10: Important Preparation

Even though Windows offers an option to “keep my files”, you should always prepare and back up before resetting.

Back up your important data

Make a copy of:

  • Documents, pictures, videos, and work files
  • Anything stored outside your user folders (for example, C:\data, custom folders on C:)
  • Data from the Desktop and Downloads that you don’t want to lose

You can use:

  • Windows backup (File History or Backup and Restore)
  • An external HDD/SSD
  • Cloud tools like OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

Note your apps and licenses

Resetting Windows will remove desktop apps you installed yourself. Before you start:

  • Write down or screenshot a list of your important programs:
    • Office, browsers, VPN clients, games, utilities, etc.
  • Save or confirm:
    • Microsoft Office or other license keys (if needed)
    • Logins for important software (VPN, password managers, Adobe, etc.)

Reset Windows 10 from Settings (Keep Your Files)

Use this if you can still log in to Windows 10 normally and want to keep your personal files.

Step 1: Open Reset this PC

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Update & Security.
  3. Click Recovery from the left pane.
  4. Under Reset this PC, click Get started.

You’ll now see the first major choice.

Step 2: Choose “Keep my files”

When prompted: Click Keep my files.

This option will:

  • Keep your personal files in your user folders (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, etc.)
  • Remove apps and programs you installed yourself
  • Reset many system settings back to defaults

ℹ️ If you want a detailed explanation of what Keep my files does versus Remove everything, see our article on What Reset this PC is on Windows 10 & 11.

Step 3: Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall

Next, you’ll see:

  • Cloud download
  • Local reinstall

Cloud download

  • Downloads a fresh Windows 10 image from Microsoft (about 4 GB or more)
  • Good if your system files may be corrupted or you’ve had malware
  • Requires a stable internet connection

Local reinstall

  • Uses existing files already on your PC to reinstall Windows
  • No internet required, usually faster on SSDs
  • Better if your connection is slow or limited

Choose the option that fits your situation. For most users with decent internet, Cloud download is safer and cleaner.

Step 4: Review additional settings

Depending on your build, you may see a “Change settings” link. Click it if available to review options like:

  • Restore preinstalled apps? (on some OEM devices)
  • Driver and data handling

Make sure it still shows Keep my files as the main mode.

Click Confirm when you’re done.

Step 5: Confirm apps to be removed

Windows will show a list or note like:

These apps will be removed.

You may also get an HTML file on the Desktop after reset listing removed apps.

  • Review the list
  • Note any important software you must reinstall later

Click Next to continue.

Step 6: Start the reset

Finally, a summary screen appears, something like:

This will remove:

  • All apps and programs
  • Changes made to settings

This will not affect:

  • Your personal files

Click Reset to begin.

Your PC will restart and the reset process will run. This can take from 20 minutes to over an hour, depending on your:

  • Disk speed (HDD vs SSD)
  • Reset options (Cloud download usually takes longer)

⚠️ Don’t turn off your PC during the reset. Keep it plugged in if it’s a laptop.

Step 7: Complete setup and reinstall apps

After reset completes:

  1. Go through the short Windows setup (OOBE) if prompted.
  2. Sign in with your Microsoft or local account.
  3. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install all pending updates.
  4. Reinstall your important apps using the list you noted earlier.
  5. Restore any data from your backup if needed.

You should now have a fresh Windows 10 installation with your personal files preserved and most software issues resolved.

Reset Windows 10 from Advanced Startup (When Windows Won’t Boot)

If Windows 10 doesn’t start properly or you can’t open the Settings app, you can trigger Reset this PC from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

You can enter Advanced Startup in several ways:

Method A: Using the sign‑in screen

  1. On the login screen, click the power icon in the bottom‑right.
  2. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard.
  3. While holding Shift, click Restart.
  4. Release Shift once you see “Please wait” or the Choose an option screen.

Method B: Automatic repair / repeated boot failures

If Windows fails to boot a few times in a row, it may show Automatic Repair and then the Advanced options screen automatically. From there, you can go into Troubleshoot.

Method C: Using Windows 10 installation media

If the above doesn’t work, use a Windows 10 bootable USB:

  1. Create a Windows 10 USB installer (if you haven’t already).
  2. Boot your PC from the USB drive.
  3. On the first setup screen, choose your language and click Next.
  4. Click Repair your computer (bottom‑left corner), not Install now.

This will also take you into the Windows Recovery Environment.

Reset from the Windows Recovery Environment

Once you see the Choose an option screen:

  • Click Troubleshoot.
  • Click Reset this PC.

  • Choose Keep my files.

  • Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall, depending on your internet connection and preference.

  • Follow the on‑screen instructions to confirm and start the reset.

Windows will:

  • Reinstall Windows 10
  • Attempt to keep your personal files
  • Remove your installed desktop apps and reset many settings

When the process finishes, you’ll go through setup and sign in as usual, then reinstall apps and restore any additional data.

What Gets Kept and What Gets Removed

When you use Keep my files in Reset this PC on Windows 10:

Kept:

  • Personal files in your user folders (C:\Users\\YourName\\Documents, Pictures, Desktop, etc.)
  • Your user account (you sign back in)

Removed or reset:

  • Installed desktop apps and traditional programs
  • Most drivers you added manually (basic drivers are reinstalled automatically)
  • Many custom system settings and tweaks (returned to defaults)

🔒 Files stored outside your user profile folders are not guaranteed to be safe. Always back them up first.

When Reset Windows 10 Is the Right Choice

Use Reset this PC (Keep my files) when:

  • Your PC is slow, buggy, or unstable and normal fixes didn’t help
  • You’ve had malware or adware that seems to keep coming back
  • System files are corrupted and tools like SFC or DISM couldn’t fix them
  • You want a fresh system without manually reinstalling Windows from USB

Consider a full Remove everything reset or a clean install when:

  • You’re selling or giving away the device
  • You want to remove all personal data and apps
  • The system is severely damaged or compromised

Final Thoughts
The built‑in Reset this PC tool in Windows 10 (22H2) can save a lot of time and frustration. By choosing Keep my files, you get a fresh Windows installation without losing your personal data, while clearing out problematic apps and settings.

Just remember to:

  • Back up your important files first
  • Note your apps and licenses
  • Choose Cloud download when you suspect serious corruption and have a good internet connection
  • Run Windows Update and reinstall drivers and apps once the reset is complete.
Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.

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