Resetting Windows 10

We all know-only too well-that computers sometimes have their off days. Things slow to a crawl. Your apps hang. Programs aren't launching the way they should.

If you're having problems consistently, Windows 10 gives you a tool that can make things better quickly and easily. Now, instead of crossing your fingers and rebooting-or perhaps arbitrarily choosing a Restore Point and hoping your journey back in time will fix the trouble you're having-you can use Windows Reset to refresh your Windows 10 installation without wiping away any files or settings.

One of the big changes behind-the-scenes in Windows 10 is the way the operating system uses and releases storage space to make Windows 10 less draining on hard drives and easier to reset if the computer experiences problems.
Now because of the more efficient way Windows 10 works in the background, you're able to use Reset if you encounter bizarre Windows 10 behaviors; the operating system can rebuild the needed files quickly, and your system is up and running much faster than it would have been in previous releases of Windows.

Resetting Your PC

If you find that a few of your apps aren't working the way they should, or your computer has been behaving unreliably, you can reset your computer to restore the program files and settings to their original state without losing your files, media, and settings.

1. Click the Start button to display the Start menu.
2. Click Settings.
3. Select Update and Security.
4. Click Recovery.
5. In the Reset This PC area, click the Get Started button if you want to reset your PC and reinstall Windows. You can choose whether you want to keep your files or have Windows remove them and start over.
6. In the Advanced Startup area, click Restart Now to start Windows from a USB drive or DVD, to change your startup settings, or to restore your files from a system image you've previously saved.

You might see a third option in the Recovery screen of the Settings window: Go Back to the Previous Version of Windows 10. This choice will appear for you only if you've recently installed Windows 10; after 31 days, the files in the Windows.old folder will be overwritten and your previous version of Windows is no longer available. This option is helpful if you have recently installed or upgraded Windows 10 and are having problems with the software; rolling back the installed version and reinstalling will hopefully clear the problems.

Using the Windows Mobility Center

If you are looking for one central location where you can find the settings that control the way you use your computer on the road, you can go to the Windows Mobility Center. You display the center by clicking in the Search box on the task bar and typing mobility. Tapping or clicking the app opens the Windows Mobility Center window.

You can change options for Brightness, Volume, Battery Status, Screen Orientation, External Display, Sync Center, and Presentation Settings in the Windows Mobility Center. Simply tap or click the control of the item you want to change and select your choice.