How to Reset Windows 10 PC Without Losing Data
99% of the time, resetting your Windows OS fixes all the OS & software-related problems, including virus attacks, corrupt OS files, etc. This method reinstalls your Windows 10 OS without deleting your personal files. It is the last option left when all the other methods don’t work for your system. You can restore your Windows 10 PC to an earlier date with or without your personal use files.
How to Reset Windows 10 PC Without Losing Data Option 1: Using Windows Settings App Option 2: From Advanced Startup Menu
Note: This method will delete all the applications and drivers installed on your default OS drive except for the pre-installed ones. So, backup all your important data into an external drive or cloud storage before performing this method and create a system restore point as well. Now, let us discuss the two options to perform this method on your desktop/laptop.
Option 1: Using Windows Settings App
From Windows settings, you can perform reset this PC method. So to know how to reset Windows 10 without losing data through settings, read and follow upcoming steps carefully.
Type Reset this PC in the Windows search panel and click Open as shown.
Now click on Get started.
It will ask you to choose between two options: Keep my files or Remove everything.
Keep my files: This option will remove apps and settings but keep your personal files. Remove everything: It will remove all your personal files, apps, and settings.
- Follow on-screen instructions to complete how to reset Windows 10 without losing the data process. Also Read: Fix Windows 10 Stuck on Getting Windows Ready
Option 2: From Advanced Startup Menu
Another option is to know how to factory reset Windows 10 without settings. So read and follow upcoming steps carefully to do the same:
Press Windows + I keys to open Settings.
Now go to Update & Security.
Next, click on the Recovery option.
Under Advanced start-up, click on Restart now button.
After this, your PC will restart and open in Windows Recovery Environment. Here, click on Troubleshoot.
Select Reset this PC shown highlighted below to continue with how to reset Windows 10 without losing data process.
Now, choose either Keep my files or Remove everything option:
Keep my files: This option will remove apps and settings but keep your personal files. Remove everything: It will remove all your personal files, apps, and settings.
Now, select your Windows version and click on Only the drive where Windows is installed.
Next, select Remove my files option.
Finally, click on Reset button to start the process.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete it and restore PC to an earlier date on Windows 10. Q1. Can resetting PC remove viruses from the system? Ans. Yes, but make sure to scan the system restore files for the same if you will restore them in the fresh Windows environment after reset. Q2. Can resetting the PC make it faster? Ans. Yes, for a short time after the reset. As you will go on using the PC over time, more files and applications will pile up with their data. It will reduce the PC speed a bit, but you will not face any major PC slow issues. Recommended:
How to Troubleshoot Network Connectivity Problems on Windows 10 Fix Windows Update Download 0x800f0984 2H1 Error Fix Microsoft Setup Bootstrapper Has Stopped Working Fix There was a problem resetting your PC error
This article guided you on how to reset Windows 10 without losing data with or without settings. Leave any questions or comments in the space below.