How to Reinstall Windows 10: Reset, Repair Install or Clean Install

Applies to: Windows 10 Home and Pro. Note that Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, so a reinstalled Windows 10 only gets security updates if the PC is enrolled in Extended Security Updates. If your PC meets the requirements, consider moving to Windows 11 instead.

Which reinstall method should you use?

Method	Keeps files	Keeps apps	Best for
Reset this PC: Keep my files	Yes	No	Slow or unstable PC, keeping documents
Reset this PC: Remove everything	No	No	Selling the PC or a fresh start without a USB
Repair install (setup.exe)	Yes	Yes	Broken Windows Update or system files, PC still boots
Clean install from USB	No	No	Malware, a new drive, or when reset fails

Before you start

• Back up your documents, photos and other files to an external drive or OneDrive, even if you plan to keep them.
• Note the apps you use; except for the repair install, you’ll need to reinstall them.
• If the drive is encrypted with BitLocker or device encryption, have the recovery key ready (it’s usually saved in your Microsoft account). Microsoft notes you need it to complete a reset.
• Connect a laptop to power and use a wired or stable Wi-Fi connection for Cloud download.
• Your Windows 10 licence is normally a digital licence linked to the hardware, so Windows reactivates by itself after reinstalling.

Method 1: Reset this PC from Settings

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Under Reset this PC, select Get started.
3. Choose Keep my files (removes apps and settings, keeps personal files) or Remove everything.
4. Choose Cloud download (downloads a fresh copy of Windows, a few GB) or Local reinstall (rebuilds Windows from the files already on the PC). Cloud download is often more reliable when Windows files are damaged.
5. Under Additional settings, select Change settings if you want to adjust options, such as turning on Clean data when you’re giving the PC away. This takes much longer.
6. Select Next and then Reset. The PC restarts several times; don’t turn it off.

If the reset stops with “There was a problem resetting your PC” or can’t find the recovery environment, see “Windows RE image was not found”, or use Method 3 or 4.

Method 2: Reset from the recovery screen

If Windows won’t start properly or you can’t reach Settings:

1. On the sign-in screen, hold Shift and select Power > Restart. If Windows doesn’t load at all, it usually opens the recovery environment by itself after two or three failed starts.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
3. Choose the same options as in Method 1 and follow the prompts.

For a PC that starts to a black screen instead, try these black screen fixes first.

Method 3: Repair install (keep files and apps)

A repair install (also called an in-place upgrade) reinstalls Windows 10 over itself while keeping your files, apps and most settings. It’s the best choice when Windows Update, the Start menu or system files are broken but the PC still starts.

1. Download Windows 10 installation media from Microsoft’s software download website (microsoft.com/software-download). Run the Media Creation Tool, or download the ISO file and double-click it to mount it.
2. Run setup.exe from the mounted ISO (or choose Upgrade this PC now in the Media Creation Tool).
3. When asked what to keep, make sure Keep personal files and apps is selected.
4. Select Install and wait; the PC restarts several times.

The installation media must be the same edition (Home or Pro) and language as your current Windows, and the same or a newer version, or the option to keep apps won’t appear. If system files were the problem, SFC and DISM are worth trying before this.

Method 4: Clean install from a USB drive

A clean install erases the Windows drive completely. You need a blank USB flash drive of at least 8 GB; everything on it will be deleted.

1. On a working PC, download the Media Creation Tool for Windows 10 from Microsoft’s software download website, run it, choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and select your USB drive.
2. Plug the USB drive into the PC you’re reinstalling and start it from the drive. Use the one-time boot menu key (often F12, F11, Esc or F9 at power-on, depending on the maker) and pick the USB drive.
3. Choose your language and keyboard, select Install now, and if asked for a product key select I don’t have a product key (a digital licence activates later). Choose the same edition the PC had.
4. Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
5. Select the partitions on the drive where Windows is installed and delete them, leaving one block of Unallocated Space. Be careful to choose the right drive if the PC has more than one; deleted partitions can’t be recovered.
6. Select the unallocated space and choose Next. Setup creates the partitions it needs and installs Windows.

Deleting the old partitions also avoids leftover problems such as a too-small system partition, which can later cause errors like “We couldn’t update the system reserved partition”.

After reinstalling

• Check activation in Settings > Update & Security > Activation. If it isn’t activated, sign in with the Microsoft account linked to the licence and use the activation troubleshooter.
• Install all updates from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, including optional driver updates. Updates can take a while; if the PC sits on “Getting Windows ready”, give it time.
• Install the latest drivers from your PC or motherboard maker’s support site, especially for graphics, chipset and Wi-Fi.
• Restore your files from the backup and reinstall your apps from their official sites.

Related guides

• “Windows RE image was not found”: how to fix it
• Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation (SFC and DISM)
• “Getting Windows ready, don’t turn off your computer” stuck: how to fix it
• “We couldn’t update the system reserved partition”: how to fix it
• Windows black screen: how to fix it

Official sources: for more detail, see Microsoft’s own documentation:

• Microsoft Support: Reset your PC
• Microsoft Support: Create installation media for Windows

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose my Windows 10 licence if I reinstall?

Usually not. Most Windows 10 PCs have a digital licence tied to the hardware, which reactivates automatically once you’re online. If you replaced the motherboard, you may need to reactivate with your Microsoft account or a product key.

How long does reinstalling Windows 10 take?

Typically 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the drive speed, the method and whether you chose Cloud download or Clean data. Installing updates afterwards can take longer.

Does Reset this PC remove viruses?

“Remove everything” removes most malware along with your apps and files. “Keep my files” can keep infected documents, so scan restored files, and consider a clean install for serious infections.

Should I reinstall Windows 10 or upgrade to Windows 11?

If the PC supports Windows 11, upgrading is the better long-term choice since Windows 10 no longer receives regular support. Reinstall Windows 10 only if the PC can’t run Windows 11 or you need it for a specific reason.