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There is no single Windows button that deletes every trace of your activity. For a computer you will keep, clear browser and Windows activity records separately. Before selling or giving away a PC, back up your files, then use Reset this PC with Remove everything and consider the optional Clean data setting. These steps cover Windows 10 and Windows 11; the cited instructions do not establish equivalent steps for macOS or Linux.
Choose the right cleanup for your goal
| Your goal | What to do | What it addresses |
|---|---|---|
| Clear browsing activity but keep using the PC | Clear selected browser data and review Windows activity-history controls | Local browser records and some Windows activity records; account-associated data has separate controls |
| Refresh Windows while keeping personal files | Reset this PC with Keep my files | Reinstalls Windows and removes apps and settings, while retaining personal files |
| Prepare the PC for sale, donation, or recycling | Reset this PC with Remove everything; consider Clean data | Removes personal files, apps, and settings from the selected Windows installation; Clean data is intended to make recovery harder |
| Respond to suspected malware | Try Windows Security; if the problem persists, consider a clean Windows installation from installation media | Recovery steps for the Windows installation, not a guarantee against every possible compromise |
A reset affects the selected device installation. It does not, by itself, establish that browser history, cloud activity, or other account-associated records have been deleted.
Back up and prepare before resetting
- Back up important files to a location separate from the PC. An external storage drive is one option; use another suitable backup method if you already have one.
- If device encryption or BitLocker is enabled, make sure you can access the BitLocker recovery key before you begin. Microsoft lists this as a preparation step in its Reset your PC guidance.
- If you are transferring the computer, confirm which drives and data are included in the reset prompts before you proceed.
Reset Windows and choose what to keep
Microsoft’s instructions cover Windows 10 and Windows 11. In Windows 11, open Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. In Windows 10, use the recovery option in Settings and follow the on-screen prompts. Names and workflows can vary by Windows version and device. Microsoft’s reset instructions explain the available choices.
Keep my files
Choose this when you want Windows reinstalled but want to retain personal files. Windows removes apps and settings, so you may need to reinstall programs and configure preferences afterward. This is not the appropriate choice when preparing a PC for someone else.
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Remove everything
Choose this for a fresh start or to prepare the PC for transfer. It removes personal files, apps, and settings. Read the confirmation screens carefully, especially if the computer has more than one drive, and verify the drives and data included before confirming.
Select a Windows reinstall source
Depending on the device and Windows version, you may be offered Cloud download or Local reinstall. Cloud download obtains a fresh copy of Windows. Local reinstall uses files already on the PC and may be faster on a slow connection, but it may not include the latest updates. This choice is about where Windows installation files come from; it is not a promise to erase additional account data.
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Consider Clean data for a transfer
When available, the optional Clean data setting removes files and cleans the drive to make it harder for another person to recover removed files. Microsoft cautions on its Reset your PC page: “The data erasure functionality is targeted at consumers and does not meet government and industry data erasure standards.” Do not treat this consumer option as a standards-compliant sanitization method for regulated or unusually sensitive data.
Clear browser history and Windows activity separately
Clear Microsoft Edge browsing data
In Edge, open Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data, choose the data types and time range you intend to clear, then confirm. Available types include browsing history, cookies, and site data. Microsoft’s Edge browsing-data instructions describe the controls. Edge can also clear selected data when all InPrivate windows close, but InPrivate is not a general method for removing other Windows records.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Review Windows activity history
Windows activity history can include information about apps and services used, files opened, and websites browsed. Its controls and the availability of clearing cloud-stored activity vary by Windows version and update. Microsoft notes that a Clear activity history control applies to particular Windows 11 updates; do not assume it removes every record for every account or version. Review the applicable Windows privacy settings and your account’s privacy dashboard using Microsoft’s activity-history guidance.
Local browser cleanup and Windows reset are distinct from account-associated records. Microsoft explains that browsing history associated with an account may be viewable through the account, so clearing local browser data alone should not be taken as proof that account history is gone.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Finish the handoff when selling or giving away the PC
- Back up the files you need and confirm you have any BitLocker recovery key.
- Reset Windows using Remove everything, reviewing drive coverage and considering Clean data where offered.
- After the reset, remove the device from your Microsoft account using the account’s device-management controls. Microsoft’s guidance for preparing a PC for a new owner treats account-device removal as an additional step, not a substitute for resetting.
If malware is the reason you want a clean PC
Microsoft advises first trying Windows Security. If the issue continues, its Windows recovery guidance describes reinstalling Windows from installation media and choosing a clean installation. Microsoft says this removes Windows, personal files, apps, and settings from the selected drive and can help remove malware from the Windows installation; it is not a guarantee that every possible persistence mechanism or compromise is eliminated. If the PC cannot start or its recovery options do not work, create installation media using another working PC. Manufacturer recovery media may include device-specific drivers and factory applications. A USB flash drive can be used for installation media; Microsoft does not prescribe a brand or capacity in the cited guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What a Windows reset does not establish
- It does not prove that every account-associated or online service record has been deleted; those services have their own controls and retention practices.
- It does not make the consumer Clean data option suitable for government or industry erasure standards.
- It does not guarantee removal of every possible malware compromise; the documented clean-install path can help with the Windows installation.
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Its reset guidance covers Windows 10 and Windows 11, but supported features and settings can change; check the current instructions for your version before resetting.
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