Guide | How To All you need to know about “Reset PC” and “Refresh PC” Options

[BoraMurdar]

Almost all Windows users install and test new software, games, etc regularly in their computer systems. There are also many customization lovers who love to install new themes, transformation packs in their computer to change Windows look-n-feel.

Many times when we install such kind of things, our computer system starts slowing down and we start facing problems and random error messages. Sometimes it might be due to a missing or corrupt system file or an incorrect Registry value. Many times we can fix these kind of problems by uninstalling those problematic software or transformation packs as given here and here but sometimes reinstalling Windows might be the last option to do.

Formatting hard disk and reinstalling a fresh Windows is the ultimate solution to fix almost all PC problems but it requires some expertise and valuable time because you'll need to first install Windows and then you'll have to reinstall all device drivers, favorite software, games, etc. Oh yeah, you'll also need to customize all your settings again.

If you are using Windows 8 or later operating system such as Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, here is something interesting information for you. Although many Windows 8 users might be aware of this built-in feature but there are many people who don't know about it. So today in this tutorial, we are going to share detailed information about a cool built-in feature of Windows 8 and later which helps you in reinstalling or repairing Windows quickly and easily.

Actually Microsoft has introduced 2 new features in Windows 8 which are called:

• Reset PC
• Refresh PC

Reset PC: This feature is similar to "Reset to Default" or "Restore Factory Settings" feature found in mobiles and tablets. This feature removes everything from your PC and reinstalls Windows from scratch. So if you use this feature, make sure to take a backup of your important data first. Reset PC option deletes everything from your computer including personal documents, settings, 3rd party software and Metro apps. It first formats the hard drive partition and then reinstalls fresh Windows. Once you use this option, you'll get absolute new Windows as you got it when you purchased your computer or when you installed Windows for first time.

Refresh PC: If you don't want to reset everything to default in Windows but want to repair Windows, "Refresh PC" option will help you. It doesn't remove everything from your PC. It reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal files, settings and Metro style apps, so you'll not lose them if you use this option. It first copies your data to a different location and then reinstalls Windows from scratch. After reinstalling Windows, it restores the copied data. So after using this option you'll have a brand new Windows OS along with your personal data and settings.

Comparison Between "Reset PC" and "Refresh PC" Options

Refresh PC option reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal documents, files, personalization settings and metro (modern) apps. On the other hand, Reset PC removes everything from your computer and reinstalls Windows. So you'll lose all files, settings and apps if you choose Reset PC option.

3rd party software such as Microsoft Office, etc are not kept by any of these features. In other words, both Refresh and Reset PC options remove 3rd party software programs from your computer.

Following comparison chart will help you in understanding the difference between both these features easily:

NOTE: Both Reset and Refresh PC options require Windows installation disc or recovery mediato restore default files. If you don't have Windows setup disc, you can copy Windows setup files to a USB drive and attach to your computer and these features will accept it as installation media.

How to Use "Reset PC" Option in Windows 8 and Later?

To use Reset PC option, follow these simple steps:

1. Move your mouse cursor to top-right corner to show Charms Bar. Alternatively, you can pressWin+C keys together to access it.

2. Now click on Settings and then click on "Change PC settings" option.

3. It'll open new Metro Control Panel screen.

For Windows 8 Users:

Click on "General" tab and in right-side pane, you'll see "Remove everything and reinstall Windows" option.

For Windows 8.1 and Later Users:

Click on "Update and recovery" and then "Recovery" tab and in right-side pane, you'll see "Remove everything and reinstall Windows" option.

4. Click on "Get started" button and Windows will show you Reset PC wizard.

5. Just follow the instructions given on screen and your Windows computer will reset to default settings i.e. it'll reinstall Windows from scratch.

NOTE: If you have more than one drive i.e. D:\, E:\, etc, Reset PC will ask your choice to remove files only from C: drive where Windows is installed or from all disk drives. In other words, you can choose whether you want to remove files from C: drive only or from all drives.

How to Use "Refresh PC" Option in Windows 8 and Later?

To use this feature, follow these simple steps:

1. Similar to "Reset PC" option, "Refresh PC" option is also present in new Metro Control Panel screen. So first follow the same 1-3 steps given above.

2. Now in right-side pane, look for "Refresh your PC without affecting your files" option.

3. Click on "Get started" button and Windows will show the Refresh PC wizard.

4. Follow the instructions given on screen and it'll repair Windows without removing your files, settings and apps.

NOTE: Refresh PC option will save an HTML file "Removed Apps.html" on Windows Desktop which contains a list of all 3rd party software programs removed by it.

How to Use "Reset PC" or "Refresh PC" Options When Your Computer Can't Boot?

Now one question arises if your Windows computer can't boot, how will you access "Reset PC" or "Refresh PC" options to reinstall or repair Windows? Here is the answer!

Windows 8 and later allows you to use both these options from troubleshooting screen as well which is shown when Windows can't boot. Its a part of the new advanced boot loader or advances startup screen introduced in Windows 8. You can read more about it in following topic:

How to Access and Use Windows 8 Metro Boot Loader and Advanced Boot Options?

From AskVG

 

[Rus Anca]

Great review,@BoraMurdar !
Good to know about this:Microsoft has introduced 2 new features in Windows 8:Refresh PC/Reset PC.

 

[BoraMurdar]

Great review,@BoraMurdar !
Good to know about this:Microsoft has introduced 2 new features in Windows 8:Refresh PC/Reset PC.

Thank you Rus

 

[YuanJiawj]

Awesome! Thanks @BoraMurdar for this great review and info.

 

[Dima007]

Thank you BoraMurdar

 

[BoraMurdar]

You are welcome guys, it's just an article shared from AskVG. I found it useful to post it here since it's really all you need to know about these reset options in Win8 and 10.

 

[Anupam]

That's an awesome feature... can you confirm one thing? If I update windows and reset, do I need to again download the updates?

 

[software182]

This is great, i once use reset PC settings & i forgot to edit my partition setting.... anddd bamm ! i lost my 1 TB data on my HDD lol ! Thank God i still have a backup

 

[BoraMurdar]

That's an awesome feature... can you confirm one thing? If I update windows and reset, do I need to again download the updates?

Reset is kinda reinstallation of the system, so yes, it will need to be updated again...

 

[BoraMurdar]

This is great, i once use reset PC settings & i forgot to edit my partition setting.... anddd bamm ! i lost my 1 TB data on my HDD lol ! Thank God i still have a backup

I don't leave a house without a backup

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Thank you Sir Bora! I would probably "Refresh or Reset" our Windows 8.1 now, but I realize it is more the "clean freak" in me crying out for perfection, plus the vast number of the Microsoft updates I would have to perform ...including having to restore Windows after it reverts back down to the origninal 8.0 . This is a good article & a reminder that it can be easy for one (myself) to fall into a compromise of settling for poorer performance out of laziness, *laughs at self*
Now, I shall be more likely to go ahead and "Reset" when the time comes that surely requires it. Thanks!!

 

[BoraMurdar]

Thank you Sir Bora! I would probably "Refresh or Reset" our Windows 8.1 now, but I realize it is more the "clean freak" in me crying out for perfection, plus also all of the Microsoft updates I would have to perform. This is a good article & a reminder that it can be easy for one to fall into the compromise of settling for poorer performance out of laziness, *laughs at self*
Now, I shall be more likely to go ahead and "Reset" when the time surely requires it. Thanks!!

I am perfectionist also. Everything must be running fast, without slowdowns. Always everything updated, organized and cleaned. It sucks sometimes

 

[BadabingNL]

Thank you for this post. Finally someone (Microsoft) listens to the community.

I remember from 10 years ago there was this piece of hardware who could do the same, restore your pc to an early image. It needed no software, just with every reboot it cleans itself. Very good for public computers like schools and internet cafés.

Can't remember the name though, something like disk fix, fix drive?...