Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Choose Keep my files to reinstall Windows while retaining personal files; choose Remove everything to remove personal files, apps, and settings. Neither option preserves installed apps and settings. Back up important files first, and have your BitLocker recovery key ready if the PC is encrypted.
Keep my files vs. Remove everything: what each option does
| Reset choice | Personal files | Apps and settings | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep my files | Retained | Removed | Reinstall Windows while keeping personal files such as documents and photos. Plan to reinstall apps and set up Windows again. |
| Remove everything | Removed | Removed | Start fresh or prepare the PC for another owner. Back up anything you want to keep before resetting. |
These choices describe what happens to your files and configuration. The separate choice between Cloud download and Local reinstall determines where Windows setup files come from; it does not change whether personal files are kept. Microsoft’s Reset your PC guidance covers Windows 10 and Windows 11, though available screens and choices can vary by device.
Which reset option should you choose?
- You are troubleshooting Windows and want your personal files to remain: choose Keep my files, understanding that apps and settings will still be removed.
- You want a fresh start or are giving away or selling the PC: choose Remove everything. Copy files you need elsewhere first.
- You are handing off a PC and want deleted files to be harder to recover: choose Remove everything and enable Clean data if that option is available. It can take longer, and it is not standards-compliant secure erasure.
Cloud download vs. Local reinstall
After choosing what to do with your files, Windows may offer a reinstall source. This is a different decision from Keep my files vs. Remove everything.
| Reinstall source | How it works | When it may suit you |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud download | Downloads a fresh copy of Windows. | Consider it if local recovery files may be corrupted or missing. It requires downloading Windows. |
| Local reinstall | Uses files already on the PC. | May be faster on a slow internet connection if local recovery files are usable. It may not include the latest updates. |
What Clean data does—and does not do
Clean data is an optional behavior associated with Remove everything that Microsoft says makes deleted files harder for others to recover. It may take time. Microsoft also states that this consumer-focused data-erasure function does not meet government and industry data-erasure standards. Do not treat it as certified sanitization or a guarantee that data cannot be recovered. If you need standards-compliant sanitization, the reset option alone does not establish that requirement has been met.
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Prepare before resetting
- Back up important files. Save a separate copy of anything you cannot afford to lose. An external drive is one possible destination; confirm the copy opens before proceeding.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key if the device is encrypted. Microsoft advises having it available before resetting.
- Check whether a less disruptive recovery option fits. For a PC that starts but has problems, Microsoft’s Recovery options in Windows guide describes alternatives such as a troubleshooter, reinstalling the current Windows version, uninstalling a recent update, System Restore, or installation media. Which options are available or appropriate depends on the problem and Windows version.
- Confirm you can reinstall needed apps and restore settings. Both reset choices remove apps and settings, so keep any required installers, account details, or setup information accessible.
Starting the reset and avoiding an interruption
Microsoft says Reset this PC can be started from Settings or the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Settings navigation and the recovery screens vary across Windows versions and device configurations, so follow the labels shown on your PC. If the device is managed by work or school, contact IT before resetting; managed systems may not offer the same choices as a personal PC.
During reset, the screen can remain black for a long time—Microsoft says occasionally upwards of 15 minutes. Do not manually restart the PC just because the screen is black; Microsoft warns that doing so could cause the reset to fail.
Quick Recap
Rank #2
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
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