- Apr 19, 2016
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Windows has gradually become more helpful when troubleshooting its many foibles. The inclusion of refresh and reset options within the operating system help a lot if you’re having to troubleshoot an issue on your computer. If you need to refresh Windows 10 as part of that, here is how you do it.
There is a distinct difference between refresh and reset that Windows 10 doesn’t make all that clear. Refresh re-installs the OS core files but allows you to keep your files and settings. It won’t delete games, files or anything else. Reset will essentially wipe your computer and re-install Windows 10.
Refresh Windows 10
Refreshing your Windows 10 install is usually a task of last resort. Only once all troubleshooting efforts fail would we normally contemplate a system refresh. Fortunately, it offers the option to rebuild Windows without having to start all over again.
Here’s how.
1. Navigate to Settings, Update & security and Recovery.
2. Select ‘Get started’ under Reset this PC.
3. Insert your installation media and follow the instructions.
4. Make sure to select ‘Keep my files’ when the option appears.
Or:
1. Navigate to Settings, Update & security and Recovery.
2. Select Restart now under Advanced start-up.
3. Select Troubleshoot once the system restarts.
4. Then select Reset this PC and then Keep my files. Enter your account and/or password if prompted. Even though you are selecting reset and not refresh, the Keep my files selection is essentially refresh.
5. Follow the instructions to refresh from your installation media.
Troubleshooting Windows 10? These tutorials might help:
How to perform a repair installation for Windows 10
How to get out of Windows 10 repair loop
How to get into advanced startup options in Windows 10
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