What Options Are There?
Windows 10 has by default the same options available as Windows 8, so if you were used to Windows 8 recovery options then these options will not surprise you. You have the following options available when choosing to reinstall Windows 10.
- Refresh your system without affecting your files
- Remove everything and reinstall Windows 10.
The options are actually quite self explanatory. But I will spend a couple of seconds explaining them just so you are sure.
Refresh your System Without Affecting your Files
This option will keep all your files and Windows Store Apps, however will remove all installed applications from discs and websites. All computer settings will be restored to their default settings and Windows will save a list of all removed Desktop Applications.
Remove everything and reinstall Windows 10.
This is just OOBE. What is OOBE? OOBE Stands for “Out Of the Box Experience”. Windows will be completely removed and so will all files on the system drive (if you have multiple partitions then all partitions except from the one where Windows is installed will be left untouched)
Starting the Reinstallation Process
Good to Know
[symple_box color=”red” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””] I know it’s a lot of text, but please do read all the Good To Know bullets. They are there for a reason![/symple_box]
- Windows will try to keep all the files if you choose “Refresh your system without affecting your files”. However I strongly suggest you to make a back-up to avoid nasty surprises if something goes wrong, also be sure to write all Product Keys.
- If you reinstall because of a Malware infection then Refresh your System Without Affecting your Files is not the option you should choose, there is a big chance, I dare to say 99% chance that the Malware will be there after the Refresh your System option.
- If you choose to Remove Everything and Reinstall Windows 10 because of a Malware infection and you have multiple partitions then make sure the partitions are clean of Malware and that the malware is only on the System Drive. Otherwise the malware will be back quicker then Windows can say “Welcome” at the first boot.
Reinstalling Windows 10
1. Open Start Menu and choose Settings (or type Settings in the search box and choose Settings)
2. Click on Update and Recovery
3. Click on Recovery
You can now choose which option you want. Click on Get Started and the Wizard will start, read the instructions carefully and follow the Wizard.
If you choose to do a Refresh and the problems still persist then the only option you have is to remove everything and reinstall Windows. If you need help or advice then please do comment, I will try to help you in the comments.