Learn about the different reset options in Windows and how to reset your device.

Learn about the recovery options in Windows. Find out how to reset your PC, go back to a previous version of Windows, or use media to reinstall Windows.

Learn how to use System Restore in Windows.

Note: In Windows 10, you can access it from Update & Security > Recovery. Under Reset this PC, select Get started, and then follow the instructions on the screen.

Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) is a set of built‑in Windows tools designed to help troubleshoot and fix common system problems. If your PC has trouble starting, Windows RE can automatically launch and attempt to repair the issue.

Learn about the different tools to backup and restore your data, and to recover Windows in case of a system failure.

When critical Windows system files are missing or corrupted, your operating system may begin to malfunction. Common symptoms include Windows features not working properly, system errors, or Windows becoming unresponsive or freezing.

Before reinstalling Windows using the installation media, review the article Recovery options in Windows, which provides an overview of the different solutions to recover Windows.

If your PC is experiencing problems, especially issues related to Windows Update, you can use the Fix problems using Windows Update recovery option to reinstall the current version of Windows.

This tool is particularly useful when your computer is experiencing issues such as missing or damaged system files, corrupted boot configuration data, or other startup-related problems.