In brief
- Still copy irreplaceable files to external storage or the cloud, save BitLocker keys, and list essential applications. Connect the PC to power and make sure you know the Microsoft account password. If the drive shows hardware errors, stop: reinstalling Windows cannot repair a failing SSD.
- Key steps: Create a backup before resetting; Open Reset this PC
- After the first sign-in, check personal files, run Windows Update to completion, and open your most important applications. Only after backups, drivers, and essential programs have been verified should you consider the recovery complete.
Why it matters
Reinstallation can fix corruption and persistent problems without immediately wiping the entire drive, but Keep my files is not a backup and does not preserve all applications.
The correct procedure for using Reset this PC, choosing cloud download or local reinstall, preserving documents, and rebuilding applications after recovery.
This guide was written from scratch as an operational procedure. Follow the sequence, complete each check, and do not jump straight to the most destructive fix. The goal is a repeatable result and a clear understanding of which step produced it.
Before you start
Still copy irreplaceable files to external storage or the cloud, save BitLocker keys, and list essential applications. Connect the PC to power and make sure you know the Microsoft account password. If the drive shows hardware errors, stop: reinstalling Windows cannot repair a failing SSD.
Prepare a rollback path as well: protect important data, record initial settings, and make sure credentials and recovery codes are available. On a work or school computer, some options may be intentionally restricted and should not be bypassed.
Step-by-step procedure
Step 1 — Create a backup before resetting
Copy Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and work folders to an external SSD or OneDrive. Open several files from the copy to confirm that it is readable. Export local application data that does not synchronize automatically and save recovery keys or activation codes separately for encrypted drives and licensed software.
Finish this step before moving on and record the initial setting. A known baseline makes it easy to reverse the change if the result is not what you expected.
Step 2 — Open Reset this PC
Go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset PC. Choose Keep my files. Read the summary carefully: personal files in the profile are retained, while many installed applications and custom settings are removed. If Windows displays a list of affected apps, save or photograph it.
Check the result immediately on the relevant device or screen. If your version uses slightly different menu wording, locate the equivalent feature without changing unrelated options.
Step 3 — Choose cloud download or local reinstall
Use Cloud download if you suspect that Windows files on the drive are corrupted and you have a stable connection. Local reinstall reuses components already stored on the PC and avoids a large download, but it is less suitable when those local files may be the source of the problem. Choose based on system condition, not speed alone.
Before continuing, make sure background activity has actually finished. A disappearing progress bar or accepted button press does not by itself prove that files, settings, or synchronization are complete.
Step 4 — Review additional settings before confirming
Open Change settings and make sure full drive cleaning is not selected if your goal is to restore Windows while keeping data. Check whether manufacturer apps will be restored and which drives will be affected. If the computer has multiple disks, confirm that only the intended system drive is included.
Change one variable at a time and compare what you see with the previous step. This prevents multiple errors from accumulating and makes the cause much easier to identify.
Step 5 — Start the reset and do not interrupt it
Close applications, keep the power adapter connected, and begin the procedure. The PC will restart several times and some stages may remain on the same percentage for several minutes. Do not force a shutdown unless support documentation specifically instructs you to do so, because interruption can leave Windows unbootable.
Now run a small real-world test. Do not rely on the interface alone: open the file, try the feature, or reconnect the device involved to confirm the expected behavior.
Step 6 — Complete setup, updates, and drivers
At the first sign-in, reconnect to the network, use the intended account, and let synchronization finish. Open Windows Update and install updates until no restart remains pending. Then inspect Device Manager; for unrecognized hardware, obtain drivers from the PC or hardware manufacturer’s official site.
Allow the operation to finish and avoid forced restarts or disconnections. If the system explicitly requests a restart, complete it before the final verification.
Step 7 — Reinstall apps and compare files with the backup
Reinstall only software you actually use, preferably from the Microsoft Store or official vendor sites. Check Desktop, Documents, and Pictures and compare them with the external copy. Restore anything missing, then keep the backup intact for a few days until applications, accounts, and data are proven to work normally.
Finish with a full end-to-end test and keep any recovery information you may need. A setup is truly complete only when you know how to use it and how to reverse or recover it if something goes wrong.
Final check
After the first sign-in, check personal files, run Windows Update to completion, and open your most important applications. Only after backups, drivers, and essential programs have been verified should you consider the recovery complete.
Repeat the check after closing and reopening the feature, or after a restart when relevant. A result that survives a new session is far more reliable than a setup that appears to work only immediately after the change.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not install random utilities to automate tasks Windows can already perform, do not download drivers or tools from unofficial sites, and do not delete backups or recovery keys until the result has been verified. If behavior becomes unexpected, return to the last working configuration and change one variable at a time.
