Windows 10: Refresh Windows 10

Actually, you could create a bootable USB directly from the Media Creation Tool if wanted.

That's correct. You would hold down the case power button until it powers off. If you restart, the update will either fail or pick up where it left off.

 

The table at the top of the tutorial reads for both 'Keep my files' and 'Remove Everything': "Removes changes you made to settings."

Then immediately below the table is:

"This tutorial will show you how to refresh Windows 10 on your PC to reinstall Windows and keep your personal files and settings..."

I'm confused by the apparent contradiction - does refresh keep or remove settings?

 

Hello ixodid, *Smile

You have the option to "Keep my files" or "Remove everything" when refreshing Windows 10.

The steps in the tutorial are for "Keep my files", and why you see that below the table.

 

Hi, Yes, I understand the part about keeping or removing files.

I was asking about the settings. The table says (for all three options) settings are removed. Below the table, it seems to say settings are (or can be) retained.

The reason I ask is because if settings are going to be lost no matter whether I choose refresh or reset, it seems to make sense to go ahead and do a reset (since I have all of my files backed up).

Thank you for your help and I appreciate your tutorials! They have helped me several times.

 

"Keep my file" is basically just keeping your accounts and the files in your user "C:\Users\<user name>" profile folder.

If you sign in with a Microsoft account and have sync settings turned on, then your sync settings will sync back afterwards.

If you like, you could try doing a repair install to fix your issue without losing anything though.

*Arrow Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade Installation Upgrade Tutorials