On Windows 10, starting with version 2004, the feature to reset PC to the default settings includes a “cloud download” option to download a new copy of the OS from the Microsoft servers in case the local image is corrupted, or you prefer using a fresh image.
While the cloud download option is available through the “Reset this PC” wizard in the Settings app, it’s also possible to use the new feature from the Advanced startup settings when you need to reset the installation, and the computer will no longer start normally.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to reset a computer installing a clean copy of Windows 10 using the cloud download option from the Advanced startup settings when the device won’t start normally.
How to reset PC with cloud download from Advanced startup
To reset computer using “cloud download” option from the Advanced startup settings, use these steps:
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Start device.
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Immediately after the Power-On Self-Test (POST), press the Power button again to shutdown.
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Repeat the steps No. 1 and 2 twice, and in the third restart the operating system should enter in the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).
Quick note: Windows 10 has multiple ways to open the Advanced startup settings. If you can’t access the recovery environment, you can try these other options. -
Click the Advanced options button.
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Click on Troubleshoot.
Advanced startup Troubleshoot option -
Click on Reset this PC option.
Advanced startup Reset this PC option -
Select the Remove everything option. (The “Keep my files” options also includes the cloud download option.)
Advanced startup Reset this PC remove everything option -
Click the Cloud download option.
Advanced startup Reset this PC cloud download option -
Select the Just remove my files option. (You can also use the Full clean the drive option, but this is ano option more suited if you’re preparing to give away the device.)
Advanced startup Reset this PC just remove my files option -
Click the reset button.
Once you complete the steps, the feature will take over and reset your computer to default settings by erasing and reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows 10 downloaded from the Microsoft servers. The time of completion will depend on your computer hardware configuration and the reset options that you selected.
If you don’t see the cloud download option, then it means that you’re not running the version of Windows 10 that supports this feature. Reset this PC with the cloud download option is available starting with Windows 10 version 2004 (20H1).
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].