Windows 10. Use System restore to make restore points when you install a new app, driver, or Windows update, and when you create a restore point manually. Restoring won’t affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point was made. To go back to a restore point:

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. Though the steps below might look complicated at first glance, just follow them in order, step-by-step, and we’ll try to get you back on track.

Remove an installed Windows update. Reset your PC. Use the Startup Repair function. Use installation media to reinstall Windows 11. 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.

Use this app to try to recover lost files that have been deleted from your local storage device (including internal drives, external drives, and USB devices) and can’t be restored from the Recycle Bin.

Create a recovery drive so you can reinstall Windows 10 or Windows 11 in case you experience a major issue such as hardware failure.

Restoring files from a backup. Restoring files from previous versions. Learn how to recover files that have been lost, deleted, or accidentally changed.

Select Programs > Programs and Features. Right-click the program you want to fix and select Repair, or if that’s not available, select Change. Then follow the directions on the screen. For more tips, see Repair an Office application. You can also remove apps or programs. Repair programs in Control Panel.

Reinstall Windows 11 using installation media. This option will use a tool to create installation media which you can use to completely wipe the disk and install a fresh copy of Windows 11. This option requires you to use an external storage device such as a USB drive, and will give you an option to choose what to keep during installation.

Decide which documents to recover from an unexpected close, delete recovered files you don't want, or close recovered files to review later.

Windows 11 Windows 10. To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery . Next to Reset this PC , select Reset PC. Then, select Keep my files, choose cloud or local, change your settings, and set Restore preinstalled apps? to No . Open Recovery settings.