Give your PC a Fresh Start

To reset your PC, go to Start聽聽> Settings 聽> System聽聽> Recovery . Next to聽Reset this PC , select Reset PC. Then, select Keep my files, choose cloud or local, change your settings, and set Restore preinstalled apps?聽to No.聽

Open Recovery settings

Note:聽If you don't see the option to Restore preinstalled apps, it means your PC doesn't have preinstalled apps configured.

Recovery options in Windows

To reset your PC, go to Start聽聽> Settings 聽> Update & Security聽聽> Recovery 聽> Reset this PC > Get Started. Then, select Keep my files, choose cloud or local, change your settings, and set Restore preinstalled apps?聽to No.聽

Open Recovery settings

Note:聽If you don't see the option to Restore preinstalled apps, it means your PC doesn't have preinstalled apps configured.

In versions of Windows 10 prior to version 2004 this feature was called Fresh Start聽and to use it you'd聽select Start 聽> Settings 聽> Update & security聽 > Windows Defender > Device performance & health. Under Fresh Start, select Additional info > Get Started.聽

Important:聽Resetting your PC (or using Fresh Start) will remove most of your apps, including Microsoft Office, third-party anti-virus software, and desktop apps that came pre-installed on your device. You will not be able to recover removed apps, and will need to manually reinstall these apps. You may also lose your digital licenses and digital content associated with apps, which may impact your ability to use these apps or app-related content you paid for.

Learn more about resetting your PC