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 resetting, and find your BitLocker recovery key if your device is encrypted. Microsoft’s reset guidance describes these options for both Windows versions.
What happens to your files, apps, and settings?
| Reset option | Personal files | Installed apps | Settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep my files | Kept | Removed | Removed |
| Remove everything | Removed | Removed | Removed |
Resetting reinstalls Windows. “Keep my files” is not a repair that preserves your installed programs or preferences: it is intended to retain personal files such as documents and photos while removing apps and settings. “Remove everything” is the more complete reset choice, such as when preparing a PC for someone else.
Does “Keep my files” remove apps?
Yes. It keeps your personal files but removes installed apps and resets settings. Before choosing it, make sure you have the installers, sign-in details, or license information needed to reinstall and set up the programs you use.
What does “Remove everything” delete?
It removes personal files as well as installed apps and settings. Do not choose it if you need files currently stored on the PC unless you have backed them up elsewhere.
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The reset flow may offer Clean data with “Remove everything.” Microsoft says this makes removed files harder for other people to recover, but also says the consumer feature does not meet government and industry data-erasure standards. It is not a certified or guaranteed secure erase. See Microsoft’s description of reset options and Clean data.
Cloud download and Local reinstall are separate choices
After selecting whether to keep personal files or remove everything, Windows may ask how to reinstall the operating system. That choice determines where Windows setup files come from; it does not change which files, apps, or settings the reset option is meant to retain.
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- Cloud download: Downloads a fresh copy of Windows. Microsoft says it can help if files on the PC are corrupted or missing.
- Local reinstall: Uses files already on the PC. It may be faster with a slow internet connection, but may not include the latest updates.
Microsoft explains both reinstall sources.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Before you reset, protect your data and recovery access
- Back up important files. Copy them to 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. Microsoft’s recovery guidance and its installation-media guidance describe backup options.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key if encryption is enabled. Windows may require it to complete recovery, particularly if you use the Windows Recovery Environment. Microsoft’s reset instructions include this warning.
- Consider a less disruptive fix first. Depending on the problem and your 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 the option is available. Microsoft lists recovery alternatives and explains the Windows 11 repair reinstall.
- Let the reset finish. The screen may stay black for a long time, and the PC may restart on its own. Microsoft warns that manually restarting during this process can cause the reset to fail.
How a USB Windows installation differs from Reset this PC
Installing Windows from USB installation media is a separate process from the built-in reset. Windows Setup offers choices to keep personal files and apps, keep personal files only, or keep nothing; the result depends on the option shown and selected during setup. Read it carefully before continuing. Microsoft also provides instructions for creating installation media if recovery options do not work. Read Microsoft’s installation-media instructions.
You do not need a physical drive for the ordinary built-in reset. A USB drive or external hard drive can be used for backups or installation media, while a cloud location is another backup option.
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