If you're having problems with your PC, the following table can help you windows restore point win 10 free download which recovery option to use. Remove an installed Windows update. Reset your PC. Use the Startup Repair function.
Use installation media to reinstall Windows Use installation media to restore your PC. Use a recovery drive to restore or recover your PC. Go back to your previous version of Windows. Restore from a system restore point. Click one of the recovery options below and follow the steps to try to get things working again. View update history. On the list that appears, select update you want to remove, and then select Uninstall. Resetting reinstalls Windows 11, but lets you choose whether to keep your files or remove them, and then reinstalls Windows.
You can reset your PC from Settings, the sign-in screen, or by using a recovery drive or installation media. Open Recovery settings. Removes any apps your PC manufacturer installed. Data erasure On removes files and cleans the drive. If you're planning to donate, recycle, or sell your PC, use this option. This might take an hour or two, but it makes it harder for other people to recover files you've removed.
Data erasure Off just removes files. It takes less time, but is less secure. To do this, windows restore point win 10 free download will repeatedly turn your device off, then on:. Select Advanced options. Open File Explorer and select the drive with the installation media. From the root directory of the windows restore point win 10 free download, double-click setup.
Keep personal files and apps — This will preserve your personal data, apps, and settings. Keep personal files only — This will preserve your personal data and settings, but all your apps will be removed. Keep nothing — This will remove all personal data, settings, and apps. Warning: You cannot undo a reinstallation of Windows Be sure to back up your files first if you choose the Keep nothing option.
To finish, select Install to start reinstalling Windows 11 on your PC. If your PC won't start and you haven't created a recovery drive, download installation media and use it to restore from a system restore point or reset your PC. On a working Windows restore point win 10 free download, go to the Microsoft software download website.
Follow the steps to create installation media, and then select Finish. On the initial setup screen, enter your language and other preferences, and then select Next. If you don't see the setup screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive. Check your PC manufacturer's website for info on how to change your PC's boot order, and then try again.
On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot. From there, you can:. This will remove recently installed apps, drivers, and updates that might be causing your PC problems. For info on how to create a recovery drive on a working PC, see Create a recovery drive. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshootand then select one of the following two options. This won't affect your personal files, but it will remove recently installed apps, drivers, and updates that might windows restore point win 10 free download causing your PC problems.
This will remove your personal files, apps and drivers you installed, and changes you made to settings. This will keep your personal files, but it'll remove apps and drivers installed after the upgrade, as well as any changes you made to settings. In most cases, you'll have 10 days to go back.
Note: The option in Settings to go back to your previous version of Windows is only available for a limited time after upgrading. Next to Go backselect Go back. When the next preview build is ready, it'll be installed on your PC. This option takes your PC back to an earlier point in time, called a system restore point.
Restore points are generated when you install a new app or driver, and when you create a restore point manually. In the search box on the taskbar, type control paneland then choose it from the list of results. In the Control Panel search box, type windows restore point win 10 free download. In the Restore system files windows restore point win 10 free download setting box, select Next.
Select the restore point that you want to use in the list of results, and then select Scan for affected programs. In this scenario, you won't be able to recovery your PC using a system restore point and will need to use one of the other recovery options listed on this page. If the Turn on system protection option is selected, continue with step 6. You'll see a list of items that will be deleted if you remove this restore point.
View update history settings. Right-click the update you want to remove, and then select Uninstall. Resetting reinstalls Windows 10, but lets you choose whether to keep your files or remove them, and then reinstalls Windows. To finish, select Install to start reinstalling Windows 10 on your PC.
Note: If you windows restore point win 10 free download back to Windows 8. To fix the apps, reinstall them from the Microsoft Store. Under Go back to the previous version of Windows 10select Get Started. Refresh your PC to reinstall Windows and keep your personal files and settings. Refresh also keeps the apps that came with your PC and the apps you installed from the Microsoft Store.
Reset your PC to reinstall Windows but delete your files, settings, and apps—except for the apps that came with your PC. Restore your PC to undo recent system changes you've made.
If you want to back up and restore your personal files using File History, see Set up a drive for File History. If your PC came with Windows 8. Check the info that came with your PC to see if your PC manufacturer provided these discs or media. In some cases, you might have created them when you first set up your PC. For more info, see Create a USB recovery drive.
If you upgraded your PC to Windows 8. If your Windows restore point win 10 free download isn't performing as well as it once did, and you don't know why, you can refresh your PC without deleting any of your personal files or changing your settings.
Warning: Apps you installed from websites and DVDs will be removed. Apps that came with your PC and apps you installed from Microsoft Store will be reinstalled. Windows puts a list of removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settingsand then tap Change PC settings. If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, select Settingsand then select Change PC settings.
Tap or select Update and recoveryand then tap or select Recovery. Under Refresh your PC without affecting your filestap or select Get started. If you want to recycle your PC, give it away, or start over with it, you can reset it completely. This removes everything and reinstalls Windows. Warning: All of your personal files will be deleted and your settings will be reset.
All apps that you installed will be removed. Only apps that came with your PC will be reinstalled. Under Remove everything and reinstall Windowstap or select Get started. Note: Windows restore point win 10 free download be asked to choose whether you want to erase data quickly or thoroughly. If you choose to erase data quickly, some data might be recoverable using special software. If you choose to erase data thoroughly, this will take longer but it makes recovering data less likely.
If you think an app or driver that you recently installed caused problems with your PC, you can restore Windows back to an earlier point in time, called a restore point. Windows automatically creates a restore point when you install desktop apps and new Windows updates, if the last restore point is older than 7 days.
You can also create a restore point manually at any time. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, windows restore point win 10 free download then tap Search. If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then select Search. Enter Control Panel in the search box, and tap or select Control Panel. Enter Recovery in the Control Panel search box, and then tap or select Recovery.
