Reset This PC: Repair Tool for Serious Problems

Use Reset This PC to fix major problems in Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8

Reset This PC is a repair tool for serious operating system problems, available from the Advanced Startup Options menu in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

The Reset This PC tool keeps your personal files (if that's what you want to do), removes any software you have installed, and then reinstalls Windows.

In Windows 8, Reset This PC exists as two independent repair features under slightly different names: Refresh Your PC and Reset Your PC. More on those below.

When to Use Reset This PC (and When Not To!)

Reset This PC is almost always a fix-it tool of last resort. Reset This PC is a really big hammer—great for really big nails but probably overkill for a thumbtack. In other words, Reset This PC tool is a fantastic choice when the blame looks to be Windows-related and all other troubleshooting has failed.

For example, say you're troubleshooting a major problem after a Windows update and now Windows 11 won't start correctly. You've done everything you can think of to fix the problem, scoured the internet for advice, and you're left with no more ideas. At this point, Reset This PC is your lifesaver—a guaranteed fix for a really frustrating problem.

When a webpage won't load, your wireless mouse isn't connecting, or you haven't even tried restarting your computer to fix an annoying error message, Reset This PC probably isn't the way to go.

Reset This PC Process Indication in Windows 10.

Reset This PC removes all of your software, meaning a follow-up task on your part will be to reinstall that software. That's a time-consuming task that's well worth it if it means your computer is back to working order, but a huge waste of time if all you needed to do was clear your browser's cache.

The word "reset" is often used synonymously with "restart," but they're actually different. See Reboot vs Reset for why the differences matter.


Reset This PC Availability

The Reset This PC tools is available in Windows 11 and 10, and as Refresh Your PC and Reset Your PC in Windows 8.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista do not have repair tools that work anything like Reset Your PC. The Repair Install process, available only in Windows XP, is very similar to the Keep my files version of Reset Your PC.

How to Use Reset This PC

Reset This PC is pretty easy to use. Usually the most difficult thing to figure out is how to get to the right place (Advanced Startup Options) to get it started.

One of the easiest ways to get to the ASO menu is to hold down your Shift key while you tap or press any Reset option, available from any of the Power icons you'll find all over Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.

  1. Once you're in, choose Troubleshoot and then Reset this PC if you're using Windows 11/10. On Windows 8 computers, choose either Refresh your PC or Reset your PC.

  2. Choose Keep my files in Windows 11/10 (or Refresh your PC in Windows 8) to reinstall Windows but retain all of your personal files, like your saved documents, downloaded music, etc.

    Choose Remove everything in Windows 11/10 (or Reset your PC in Windows 8) to reinstall Windows without saving anything at all (every installed program will be removed and all of your personal files deleted). This process starts you over completely fresh and is identical to the Windows clean install process.

    On some computers, you may also see a Restore factory settings option. Choose this option to return your computer to the state it was in when you purchased it, which could mean a previous version of Windows if you've upgraded it since then.

  3. Follow the directions given to start the "reset" process which, depending on the choices you make, could take as little as 10 minutes or as long as a few hours or more.

    See a "There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC" error message at any time during the process? See our troubleshooting guide on this issue for help!

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