How to Reset, Restore, or Reinstall Windows 11 and Windows 10

Windows won’t start or keeps failing, and you need to choose between Reset, System Restore, and a full reinstall. You’re hoping to repair it without losing files, but each recovery option removes something different.

Fix #1: Restore Windows to an earlier restore point

System Restore rolls back system files, drivers, registry settings, and installed programs. It doesn’t delete personal documents or photos, but you need a restore point created before the problem began.

1. Save your open work and close every running program.
2. Open the Start menu, type recovery, and select Recovery.
3. Select Open System Restore.

4. Select Next to display the available restore points.
5. Choose a restore point created before Windows became unstable.
6. Select Scan for affected programs to check which apps and drivers will be removed.
7. Select Close, then choose Next > Finish.

Windows should restart, apply the restore point, and display a message confirming whether restoration succeeded. If Windows won’t boot, open the Windows Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore, and follow the same prompts.

See how to enable, disable, and use System Restore if no restore points appear.

Fix #2: Reset Windows while keeping your personal files

Reset this PC with Keep my files is the current equivalent of the old Windows 8 Refresh option. It reinstalls Windows and keeps files in your user folders, but removes installed apps and resets many settings.

1. Back up anything you can’t replace, even though this option is designed to preserve personal files.

If your drive uses BitLocker or device encryption, have your BitLocker recovery key ready first; Microsoft notes you may need it during a reset.

2. In Windows 11, open Settings > System > Recovery.
3. In Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.

4. Find Reset this PC and select Reset PC in Windows 11 or Get started in Windows 10.

5. Select Keep my files.
6. Choose Cloud download to download fresh Windows files, or Local reinstall to use files already on the PC.
7. Review the list of changes and select Reset.

Your PC will restart several times. When the reset finishes, your personal files should remain, but you’ll need to reinstall desktop programs and review your Windows settings.

If you’re stuck outside Windows, enter the Windows Recovery Environment and select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Keep my files. You can also create a Windows system image backup before trouble starts.

Fix #3: Reset Windows and remove everything

Choose Remove everything when you need a clean Windows setup or plan to give the PC to someone else. This option deletes personal files, installed apps, and settings.

1. Copy your documents, photos, browser data, and other important files to another drive.
2. Connect the PC to power.
3. In Windows 11, open Settings > System > Recovery.
4. In Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.

5. Select Reset PC or Get started, depending on your Windows version.
6. Select Remove everything.

7. Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall.
8. Review the additional settings, including any option for cleaning the drive.
9. Select Reset to confirm the deletion.

Windows should restart and reinstall itself. When it finishes, you’ll see the initial Windows setup screens instead of your old desktop.

Fix #4: Reinstall Windows from a USB drive

Use installation media when Reset this PC fails, Windows can’t reach its recovery tools, or you want to erase the system drive manually. This is the most disruptive option, so check your backup before continuing.

1. Use Microsoft’s official media creation workflow on a working PC to create current Windows installation media.
2. Insert the USB drive into the problem PC.
3. Restart the PC and open its boot menu using the key shown by the manufacturer.
4. Select the USB drive as the startup device.
5. Choose your language and keyboard settings when Windows Setup appears.
6. On current Windows 11 media, choose Install Windows 11 on the Select setup option screen, check the box confirming everything will be deleted, and select Next. On older Windows 10 media, select Install now, then the Custom option for a clean install.
7. Enter your product key or choose I don’t have a product key, then follow the prompts for your licensed Windows edition.
8. Accept the license terms.
9. Select the Windows target drive or partition.

Deleting partitions erases their contents. I’d skip that step unless your backup is confirmed and you deliberately want to wipe the device.

10. Select Install on the final confirmation screen and let the PC restart.

Windows should open its initial setup process after installation. Use the Windows clean-install instructions if you need more detail before erasing the drive.

Reset, Restore, and Reinstall Compared

The old Windows 8 Refresh name no longer appears in current recovery menus. Its closest replacement is Reset this PC with Keep my files.

When the Fixes Don’t Work

Run Startup Repair or Uninstall Updates from Troubleshoot > Advanced options if Windows still won’t boot. Check Microsoft’s Windows release-health page before forcing a reinstall when the problem began after a Windows 11 feature update, since an update hold or servicing fix may apply.

Persistent installation failures, disappearing drives, or repeated file corruption can point to faulty storage or memory. Test the hardware before putting more time into another reset or reinstall.

Conclusion

System Restore is my first pick when the problem started recently because it changes the least. If that doesn’t clear it, Reset this PC with Keep my files is usually the breakthrough; when even a USB reinstall fails, the storage drive or memory deserves a closer look.