Windows 10: Reset Windows 10

Hello darthjawafett, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

Since a reset basically gives you a clean install, you could do a direct clean install below instead if you like since resetting is failing for you.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1...n-install.html

 

Attempting this right now. Went to reddit too and they suggested the same solution based on what I wanted so with two different sources telling me the same thing I'm trying it. Thanks for the help.

 

You're welcome. Please let us know how it went. *Smile

 

hello, i have a question. *Think
If i use reset PC feature, will i have to reactivate my windows 10, or it will be activated automatically ?

 

Hello kriwillysme, and welcome to Ten Forums.

Yes, Windows 10 will remain activated after a reset. *Smile

 

Just want to make sure, if I go with option two and click remove files and clean drive in step 7, is that the same thing as a clean install, but easier I guess.

 

Hello Winterwolf,

Close. It'll reset Windows back to a default clean slate, but won't wipe the hard drive like doing a clean install would.

 

Hi Shawn,

Are you sure we must have installation media or recovery drive?
Because I tried 2 machine (W10 final-clean install- No recovery partition, insatllation DVD, USB drive etc.) and both didn't ask for installation media and reset/refresh procedure finished with success?

 

Hello Yasak, *Smile

You most likely had a registered image on the PC that Windows was able to use since a reset can't be done without one. When you don't have one, that's when you would be prompted to insert your installation media or recovery media.

 

No. There is no registered image. You can see here:

 

A registered image could be a folder on your Windows drive, or a hidden partition without a drive letter.

 

Dear Shawn,

It's a virtual machine. I did clean install. I am prety sure there is no resgistered image. Also you can see there is no hidden drive, no big file can be resgistered image;







Also my daily computer (a notebook) have same behaviour. It seems for reset no need installation media any more. Can you try it same conditions?

 

Yep, some will some won't. That's why I have If prompted in the step to insert media. *Wink

 

Ok now we are in same page *Smile
Thank you for replies *Smile

 

I would suggest changing the recommendation to Keep my files instead!
Why?
- This is not meant to be used on your main PC. Microsoft already hints that a suitable scenario is when giving away the PC or corporate policy demands a wipe for re-purposing etc.
- If you really need a full reset, you're better off with booting from installation media, Shift+F10, launch a filemanager, do backups, then format and reinstall.
- Most people upgrade in-place without creating an installation media! Fully resetting will delete everything including the installation source files from the system drive so booting Windows full setup if something goes wrong won't be possible (I've helped 6 people already with non booting machines - 3 did not have a DVD reader, and only one out of these 3 could boot from usb stick! had to do an intermediary windows 7 network install!).
- There is no good reason not to use Keep my files. Everything will be reset - registry, preferences, programs. Chances for defects/malware to survive the partial reset are very slim. (the only remaining issue you might bump into is the oobe setup loop - easily fixed by completely disconnecting the PC from ethernet/wireless before doing setup)