Whether you tweaked your registry settings, installed a rogue app or two, downloaded some NSFW online stuff, or want to hand down a PC to someone without any personal info included, sometimes you need to clean and refresh your Windows 10 PC. Thankfully, it is a painless process with Windows 10.
There are just four things you need to do to get started:
- Go to Start.
- Go to Settings.
- Go to Update & Security.
- From the left side bar, go to Recovery.
From Recovery, there will be three options:
- Reset this PC-Use this option if your Windows 10 PC is not running as smoothly as you would like. You can choose to keep or delete your personal files or any extra programs you installed on your PC and your PC will reinstall Windows 10. Don’t worry if you can’t remember all the programs that are removed. These applications will be kept as an Edge shortcut in the upper left hand corner of your Windows 10 desktop when your PC is cleaned and refreshed.
- Go back to the previous version of Windows 10-If the current Windows 10 build isn’t what you are looking for or you’re having problems with a current build, you can revert back to the previous version. You can also use this option if you prefer an earlier Windows Insider build too.
- Advanced Startup-This option allows you to install Windows 10 from a CD, DVD or a USB device. For more technical savvy people, you can also change your Windows 10 PC firmware settings, change Windows 10 startup settings, or restore Windows 10 using a system image. Choosing this option will restart your PC into Windows 10 Recovery.
There may come a time when you may need to clean and refresh your Windows 10 PC. Many hiccups may occur due to a newly installed Windows 10 app, driver, or other update, or maybe your Windows 10 PC just isn’t working as it should.
Whatever the reason, use this quick guide to clean and refresh your Windows 10 PC.
