By Andrew Armstrong 
“Keep my files” is one of the more misleading labels in Windows. It’s accurate as far as it goes. Your documents survive, but a lot of people press it expecting their machine back roughly as it was, and get a clean desktop with none of their applications.
Here’s precisely what survives, what doesn’t, and what to do first so the reset is a fix rather than a fortnight of reinstalling things.
Quick Facts
- Keep my files preserves personal files. It removes every installed application. That’s the bit that surprises people.
- Settings, drivers you installed manually, and anything outside your user profile also go.
- Cloud download pulls a fresh copy of Windows; Local reinstall rebuilds from files already on the machine.
- Local reinstall is faster but useless if the local files are the corrupted thing you’re trying to fix.
- Reset does not touch other partitions or second drives, but back up anyway.
What actually survives
| Keep my files | Remove everything | |
| Documents, pictures, desktop | Kept | Deleted |
| Installed applications | Removed | Removed |
| Windows settings | Reset to default | Reset to default |
| User accounts | Kept | Removed |
| Files outside the user profile | Usually removed | Removed |
| Second drives and partitions | Untouched | Untouched by default |
The row that catches people is files outside the user profile. Anything sitting in C:\Tools, or a folder at the root of C:, is not part of “your files” as far as Windows is concerned. Move it into Documents first, or copy it off entirely.
Before you press anything
Quick Steps
- Copy your data off to an external drive. Reset usually works, but usually isn’t a backup strategy.
- List your installed programs so you know what to reinstall:
winget list > C:\Users\Public\apps.txt - Note your product keys for anything not tied to an account.
- Check your browser is syncing, or export bookmarks and passwords manually.
- Confirm you can sign in to your Microsoft account, or you may find BitLocker asks for a recovery key you can’t reach.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key now if the drive is encrypted. After a reset is too late to go looking.
That last one matters more than it sounds. On many machines BitLocker is on by default, and a reset can trigger a recovery prompt. The key lives in your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey. Check you can get to it before you start, not after.
Cloud download or local reinstall?
Windows offers both, and the right choice depends on why you’re resetting.
- Cloud download fetches a fresh copy. Roughly 4GB. Slower on a poor connection, but it can’t inherit corruption from the existing installation. Choose this if you’re resetting because something is broken.
- Local reinstall rebuilds from files already on the machine. Faster, works offline, but if those files are damaged, you may reset straight back into the same problem.
If you’re resetting to fix corruption, and especially if SFC and DISM couldn’t repair it, choose Cloud download. The extra download is worth it.
Running the reset
Quick Steps
- Settings, System, Recovery, Reset this PC.
- Choose Keep my files.
- Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall.
- Review the list of applications it will remove. Windows shows you, and it’s worth reading.
- Confirm, and leave it alone. It’ll restart several times over 30-90 minutes.
- Afterwards: Windows Update, then reinstall applications, then restore anything you moved.
If Windows won’t boot at all, the same reset is available from the recovery environment. Hold Shift while clicking Restart, or interrupt boot three times, then Troubleshoot, Reset this PC.
Glossary
| Term | What it means |
| Reset this PC | Windows’ built-in reinstall, with options to keep or remove personal files. |
| Cloud download | Downloads a fresh copy of Windows rather than rebuilding from local files. |
| Local reinstall | Rebuilds Windows from files already on the machine. Faster, but can inherit corruption. |
| User profile | Your folder under C:\Users, containing Documents, Desktop and application data. |
| BitLocker recovery key | A 48-digit key needed to unlock an encrypted drive after certain changes. |
| In-place upgrade | Reinstalling over the top from media, keeping files and applications. |
Frequently asked questions
Does Keep my files really keep everything?
It keeps files in your user profile. Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Downloads. It removes every installed application and resets settings. Files stored outside your profile are usually removed too.
Will I lose Microsoft Office?
The installation, yes. The licence, no. It’s tied to your account. Sign in after the reset and reinstall it.
Cloud download or local reinstall?
Cloud download if you’re fixing corruption, because local files may be the problem. Local reinstall if the machine is basically healthy and you just want a clean start, or your connection is poor.
How long does it take?
Typically 30-90 minutes depending on the drive and which option you chose, plus updates and reinstalling applications afterwards. Budget an afternoon.
Is there anything that keeps my apps too?
Yes. An in-place upgrade. Mount installation media, run setup from within Windows, and choose to keep personal files and apps. It repairs Windows while leaving applications installed, and is often the better option if you can still boot.
Gear We Recommend
Backing up before a reset? Here’s the external storage we’d trust with it.
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