Give your PC a Fresh Start (2024)

FAQs

Should I give my PC a fresh start? ›

Resetting your PC lets you perform a clean reinstallation and update of Windows while keeping your personal data and most Windows settings intact. In some cases, a clean installation may improve your device's performance, security, browsing experience, and battery life.

Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started. Select Keep my files if you want to start over with all your files still saved, or backup all your important files beforehand and choose to delete everything.

A factory reset may fix recurring glitches or crashes, boost a sluggish system, and help remove malware and unwanted software from your PC. But keep in mind that a factory reset will also wipe out your applications, settings and preferences, personal files, and accounts.

While it's not strictly necessary to restart your computer every day, doing so periodically—perhaps once a week or when you notice performance issues—can help maintain a healthy and efficient computing environment.

However, with proper care, maintenance, and occasional upgrades, a well-built gaming PC can easily last five to seven years or even longer before requiring a significant overhaul. Your components themselves, even though they may fall behind in performance, should work for years to come.

No, a clean boot does not erase any of your files, programs, or personal data. It is a diagnostic procedure that temporarily disables non-essential startup programs and third-party services.

Key Takeaways. A factory reset will remove most common viruses and other forms of malware. Specialized viruses and malware that can survive a factory reset exist, but they're quite rare. Viruses and other malware are an unfortunate reality of the modern age.

Does factory reset delete everything? Doing a factory reset will delete nearly everything on the device, including: Personal data: This includes documents, photos, videos, music, and other types of personal files.

How to wipe a PC before selling? ›

Go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Reset PC. When asked what you want to erase, select Remove everything. Choose Local reinstall to reinstall Windows from this device, since it will run faster than the cloud download.

There is really only one real disadvantage to resetting your Windows 10 installation. You will have to reinstall all of your programs and apps and redo all the Settings changes you had made. You won't lose your user-created files and photos however if you choose that option.

Reinstalling your system before sale is a much safer alternative.” While a factory reset is generally sufficient, a determined hacker could, at least theoretically, use advanced data recovery software to retrieve your old files.

Reset the system and keep your file

This reset option will reinstall the Windows operating system and preserve your personal files, such as photos, music, videos, and personal documents. It will remove installed applications and drivers, as well as revert any changes you made to the settings.

The Fresh Start device action removes any apps that are installed on a PC running Windows 10, version 1709 or later and Windows 11.

Running a factory reset, also referred to as a Windows Reset or reformat and reinstall, will destroy all data stored on the computer's hard drive and all but the most complex viruses with it. Viruses can't damage the computer itself and factory resets clear out where viruses hide.

Leaving it on wastes electricity and can slightly increase your power bill. You don't want to be disturbed by notifications or fan noise. Computer performance generally benefits from an occasional reboot.