Question

What recovery options are available in Windows 10?

Answer

Note: For recovery options in Windows 8, please Click the following link

System Restore in Windows 8

Windows 10 has a variety of recovery tools to help you recover your computer when there's a problem. These include system restore, reset and keep your files, reset and remove everything, and go back. This article explains each feature so you can know which to use.

You can watch this video for an overview of your recovery options or read the descriptions below.

System Restore

System restore rolls your system files back to a restore point from a previous date. You can make restore points manually, but Windows will also make them automatically. This will undo system settings, changes from Windows Update, and changes from newly installed software (including removing software installed since that restore point).

Your data and documents won't be changed. This makes system restore a great place to start when you're having a problem and don't know how to fix it.

To learn how to perform a system restore, read this article:

System Restore in Windows 10

Reset while keeping your files

Performing a reset while keeping your files removes all your installed desktop applications, keeps your data and documents intact, and rebuilds your Windows files.

This is a good process to try if a system restore doesn't fix your issue.

To learn how to perform a reset while keeping your files, read this article:

Resetting a Windows 10 system to factory default

Reset and remove everything

Choosing to reset and remove everything removes all applications, removes your data and documents, and rebuilds your Windows files. The primary difference between this and reset while keeping your files is that removing everything also removes your files and documents.

This is a great final troubleshooting step in many cases. It's also useful if you plan on giving your laptop to a new owner.

To learn how to perform a reset while keeping your files, read this article:

Resetting a Windows 10 system to factory default

Go back

If you just recently upgraded to Windows 10, you might be able to go back to your previous version of Windows using Windows 10's go back feature.

This option will be available if you upgraded within the past 31 days, haven't performed a reset, haven't deleted the backup Windows folder, and haven't created any new local accounts. It gives you the ability to revert to an older version of Windows if you're having problems with Windows 10.